“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.” Ephesians 6:10-13 (NKJV)
In these three verses Paul admonishes us to put on the whole armor of God as a protection against the attacks of our enemy the devil. These attacks are spiritual in nature; it is also true that the whole armor of God is primarily Spiritual. In verse 11 he tells us that we must, in order to be successful in our resistance, take up this “whole armor of God” as our only possible defense against the devil’s schemes.
Verse 12 assures us that our primary foe in this world is not other people but other people influenced by satan and his demons. There exists an evil spiritual organization intent on seducing Christians, our only hope of escape is to be covered in the armor that God has graciously provided for those who believe. It is a ridiculous notion that we can with our own natural abilities, defeat the “wiles of the devil” and somehow maintain our Christ likeness. We must avail ourselves of these elements which are Spiritually attained, Spiritually empowered, and not dependent on our own power. “Not by power, nor by might, but by My Spirit.” Zechariah 4:6
The key elements of God’s armor are: Truth, Righteousness, a readiness to share the Gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. These, combined with a life of prayer, constitute what we know as a righteous relationship with God through Jesus.
Verse 18–PRAY, for all the believers, continuously and with conviction in every way that you know how to Pray. If you have been given the Grace to be able to pray in the Spirit by all means do so.
Verse 19–Pray for your Pastors and Teachers that they may be able to stand.
And having done all, to stand!
