Not Left Defenseless

Finally, my brethren, be strong
in the Lord, and in the power
of His might.
Ephesians 6:10

I recently watched a series of films on the History Channel dealing with the anniversary of the battles that took place at Normandy during World War II. How we had as many of our soldiers survive during the charge up those beaches, one can only guess. One of the things I hadn't realized was because of various barriers the Germans had put along the shoreline, landing boats carrying the troops could not come close to the shore. Many soldiers disembarking hoping to get safely to shore, often stumbled and fell into the water near the shoreline and were easy targets for German soldiers in their hidden bunkers. What had caused such a problem? Most soldiers were carrying backpacks that weighed from 60 to 90 pounds each. I can't imagine trying to charge the shore with all of that weight on soldiers' backs.

Far be it for me to question all of that. The soldiers were well equipped. In those days though, nothing was manufactured in light weight form like it is done today. It was also noticeable that each soldier I viewed was well equipped as far as their weapons, helmets, sturdy footwear, etc. To go into that kind of battle, soldiers had to be armed, equipped and dressed for the war of their lives.

In the spiritual realm, I'm wondering what makes us think we can do battle with Satan on a daily basis, barely equipped to do battle, except with self effort. Haven't we learned yet that we go to battle with Satan from the moment we open our eyes in the morning until closing them at night when we go to bed. It may not feel during the day that anything at all is going on in the way of sin or temptation, but it is. Most often Satan wants to engage us in small skirmishes that we hardly notice, but they can grow to full-blown battles. I sometimes feel that I may be so calloused toward sin that at times, I hardly recognize it. After all, many sins seem to be very small and insignificant. No matter the size, we must do battle at every place or we will become calloused and the battle for good and God won't seem all that important.

God loves us and wants us to walk in victory. Victory only comes after a contest or battle. God would never leave you and me defenseless, unable to do battle. He's given us His armor with which to defeat evil and the Evil One. The armor the Roman soldier wore was tremendously heavy and burdensome. I'm surprised they could be effective as loaded down as they were. Fortunately, God's armor isn't physically heavy.

I'm referring, of course, to Paul's description of the armor of God he wrote of in Ephesians 6:10-18. I will only make note of them. A very important statement Paul made in the beginning was: PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. You see, in this battle of ours with that wonderful spiritual armor God has provided, Paul knew that no one would come to us each morning and dress us in the armor. It is something we must feel the need of and apply it if it is going to be of any use at all. Every piece of this armor is necessary to be worn regularly. Not one piece of it can be left behind. Satan will always look at the most vulnerable places in our lives and will strike there. Why do we even need the armor? Paul tells us in verse 11: “...that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Whether a wife, grandmother, stay at home mom, businessman, caregiver, etc., we all face Satan's tricks and temptations. If we don't care, then we don't need to bother with the armor. If, however, we want spiritual victory and strengthening, the armor will be important to us.

We have been somewhat programmed to picture our spiritual armor to look like the armor of a Roman soldier. I wish we could get that picture out of our minds because although the pieces of it may be appropriate in the comparison, that's where the similarities stop. Could we just for a moment, get the gist of what God intends each of those pieces to be in our lives? Could we begin to think of what those pieces represent and those qualities and strengths God wants to build in us? Please pay more attention to the quality, not the item.

Truth – (Loins girt)

Righteousness – (Breastplate)

Gospel of peace – (Feet shod)

Faith – (Shield)

Salvation – (Helmet)

Word of God – (Sword of the Spirit)

You see, as we have read the entire portion of Scripture, we have concentrated on a picture and pieces of the armor instead of the significance of each spiritual item. There is one that is prime above the others and that is SALVATION. If we don't know God's sweet salvation in our lives, there is no point in the others. Oh, there are unsaved people who are people of truth, who live good lives, are peaceful people. I've seen those things in some unsaved folks more than in some saved folks, which is a sad commentary on we Christians. Without salvation and the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit, those other things will never come to any kind of fruition as God intends. Those things together make up a mighty arsenal, not too heavy to carry physically, but heavy in spiritual power and might.

Paul wraps things up in verse 18 by saying:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication
in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with
all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Our armor is to be all wrapped up in prayer. That is an area where most of us are lacking and yet it is the connector. Our praying in the Spirit energizes all of those other pieces of our spiritual armor. It should be our prayer that we will allow the Spirit to activate each of those attributes into our lives, readying us for any spiritual confrontation we will face.

Father, I know I have no strength on my own, except in and through You. I try to take too much on myself and end up discouraged and defeated. Forgive my lack of faith and reliance on You. Help me stay armed for any battle Satan wages against me. I love You...in Jesus' name...Amen