Do you know about God's armour?

Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)

This scripture in the Bible is for people who believe in and have received Jesus Christ. It tells us to put on the whole armour of God. Why should we put on the whole armour of God? Verse 12 gives the answer when it says that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness. We do not need the armour to protect us against other people, but against the devil who walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1^st Peter 5:8). Jesus has already defeated the devil on the cross and the devil is convicted, but he still walks about. And he will continue walking about until the time of grace will end. Then he will be put in custody. And while he is walking about, he is seeking whom he may devour.

Therefore, God wants us to be conscious about His armour so that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Human weapons do not help against the rulers of the darkness. Our own power does not help, but the power of God does.

The key word is to stand and this is underlined in verse 11 and in the following verses. And it is the armour that makes us able to stand. Therefore, let us find out about this armour; what does it consist of. The whole armour of God refers to the fulfilled salvation on the cross. God gave us the shield of faith to protect us against the fiery darts of the devil. By receiving salvation, we become God’s righteousness. His armour therefore consists of a breastplate of righteousness that protects our heart.

And He has given us a sword - the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Romans 10:8 tells us that the word is near us, in our mouth and in our heart. In the wilderness, the devil was tempting Jesus (see Luke 4). And when you read about that, you will see that the devil was even quoting the scripture. Attempting to fool us, the devil can and will quote the Bible. That is why we need the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. It is not about our human understanding of the Bible, but it is about how the Spirit leads us using the word. That is why Romans 10:8 says that the word is in our mouth and in our heart.

2^nd Corinthians 6, tells about the marks of the ministry. A few of these marks are that we should commend ourselves by the word of truth, by the power of God, and by the armour of righteousness (verse 7). It is obvious that God wants us to be conscious about His armour.

Another part of His armour, is the helmet of salvation. This helmet protects our mind against thoughts. For example, thoughts of condemnation. God has given us the word and ministry of reconciliation, not of condemnation. But still our thoughts can create condemnation. That is why it is important to put on the helmet of salvation as part of God’s whole armour. Bad experiences and religious traditions are examples of things that create thoughts. 2^nd Corinthians 10:4-5 says: ”For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”. Our thoughts are inside our head, hence the need of a helmet.

Does this mean that we should stop thinking? No, not at all. But we should be conscious about the armour so that we can cast down arguments and every thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.

So, does the Bible say anything about what we should fill our thoughts with? Yes, it does. Philippians 4:4-8 teaches us: ”Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - mediate on these things”.

God’s message to you and us is: Put on My whole armour and keep it on at any time!