I have a bookmark designed by a friend that says, “Your armor is ready. Put it on.”
You wouldn’t go deep-sea diving or mountain climbing without the right equipment. And you wouldn’t simply carry your gear, you’d wear it, right? You’d know when and how to use it correctly too.
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).
Paul uses the image of a Roman soldier’s armor—belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword—to represent the gear God has given us for our protection in this world: knowledge of truth, right standing with Him, the peace of the gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word of God.
And like the Roman soldier, we’re expected to wear our armor every day and use it in our daily battles.
What battles? “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against might powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
Peter describes Satan as a roaring lion, prowling around, searching for someone to devour. Sometimes Satan tries to knock us a little lower when we’re already down, and other times, it seems to me, he comes after us with even more force when we’re standing strong.
Satan wants to keep the gospel from spreading, and he wants to tear down our faith. He’s already been defeated, of course, but he’s still fighting.
So put that armor on—and use it!