Free Bible Commentary
“Ephesians 6:13-17”
Categories: Ephesians“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Since the life-and-death battle that we are continually engaged in is “against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (verse 12), we simply must “take up the full armor of God” (verse 13). We are not strong enough to put together a winning plan of attack against the spiritual wickedness of Satan and his legions without God’s grace and plans and equipment. God provides this armor so all the power, praise, honor and glory belong to Him for the security and victory that it provides. But, we MUST take it up and put it on and use it!!!
We must wrap the truth around us like a belt or girdle. This was the foundational element of the armor of the Roman soldier. It cinched his clothing around his core to provide strength and much needed support and mobility for fight or flight scenarios. I am reminded of the Apostle Peter’s exhortation to, “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). The only way to gird up the loins of our minds and to be ready for action is to get ourselves all wrapped up in God’s TRUTH!
We must “put on the breastplate of righteousness” that we derive from God’s truth every day. We must strive to be morally upright, and holy as God is holy, if we plan to resist the temptations that are hurled at us consistently from all of Satan’s points of attack. If we have not thoroughly equipped ourselves with the truth and purposed in our hearts in advance that we will take a strong moral stance against sin and temptation, we will not be able to stand in the heat of the battle!
No good soldier would dare to be caught barefoot in a warzone. We must have our feet shod “with the preparation of the Gospel of peace” (verse 15). Once again, preparation in advance of attack is emphasized in this verse. We must give foresight to having a firm footing for fleeing or fighting in our war against spiritual wickedness. It is the “Good News” of what Christ has accomplished for us that provides our nimbleness and swiftness of foot as we parry in battle. God equips us with the Gospel of “peace” even as we engage in conflict. It is very encouraging to know that even as the war rages around us, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
To guard our hearts and minds, we also need “the shield of faith” (verse 16), and “the helmet of salvation” (verse 17). Both of these implements, of course, are provided by God through the Bible. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The Gospel is “the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16). And “the sword of the Spirit” is “the word of God.” Not all of the weapons which God provides us are for defense only but, as with the sword, some are offensive for taking the battle to the enemy. But, you simply cannot miss the fact that all of this equipment and weaponry are provided by God through His living, active, powerful, enduring word.
Do you think maybe that plunging ourselves deeply within the word of God on a daily basis just might possibly be critical for our spiritual life and welfare, and our ultimate, eternal victory over our greatest enemy (Satan) and our greatest danger (sin)?! I am reminded of the lines from the wonderfully stirring hymn “Soldiers of Christ Arise!” “Stand, then, in His great might, with all His strength endued; But take to arm you for the fight the panoply of God.” “Leave no unguarded place, no weakness of the soul; take every virtue, every grace, and fortify the whole.” Leave no unguarded place friend! Take up the FULL armor of God every day!
Please read Ephesians 6:18-20 for tomorrow.
If you have no plans to worship God today, please come visit us at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ.
3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship service. 5:00 PM worship service.
Have a safe and blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
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