Inspirational Message: Paul Urged Believers to Put On the Whole Armor of God

Every believer must be personally armed because of Satan’s ultimate goal to destroy our allegiance to Jesus Christ. Our conversion to Christ takes the believer away from Satan, but it does not completely shatter his power. Surprise, surprise and surprise again when Satan increases his efforts to destroy our faith and win us back to himself! He undoubtedly has an array of deceptive plans; Scripture calls these plans “the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11 KJV). How can we help ourselves? Is it possible to not resist temptation? Even though Satan may be deceptive, he can take no one from Christ who is determined to stay faithful to the Lord! Can Satan make our lives miserable? Do we need God’s armor? Putting on all of God’s armor is our only protection. We need to study God’s word to understand the nature of armor-use because without it, we will surely fall prey to the enemy. With the armor of God, our victory is assured!

In Ephesians 6:12 Paul describes the Christian life as a struggle when he says “we wrestle.” For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities and the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. In verse 13 Paul urges us to put on the whole armor of God. It is with God’s armor that we are to equip ourselves. The Lord has made it available for our use. Paul compares our lives to how a Roman soldier would have been armed for battle. We may be impressed with the fact that in our Christian journey, we can be involved with personal encounters from Satan who is also known as the Evil One and the Devil also known by many other names.

We know that demons are real and they aim their actions at believers. Remember to rely on Jesus Christ who overpowered every demon he met. Paul was a strong believer in chains when the book of Ephesians was written. God can use us anywhere and anytime. We know that the answers to our many questions come only from the power of Jesus, who won the victory for us and offers us the power to overcome. Paul’s pastoral strength and teaching skills helped him to lead new converts to grow and live the Christian life by using the whole armor of God.

With the armor of God, let us stand firm with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and with our feet fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. We can include the shield of faith to extinguish all flaming arrows of Satan. The helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit are critical pieces of the armor God provides. The role of prayer is very important. We as soldiers are called upon often to put on this armor and stand firm against Satan, relying through prayer on God’s strength. Believe and work toward victory over evil forces that sometimes oppress us. Be thankful that we are promised victory through God’s strength.
Mrs. Gladys R. McElmore, a resident of Norfolk’s Middle Town Arch Community, is a New Journal and Guide Freelance Contributor on religion. She is a native of Essex County, Va.