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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. (ESV)

When darkness leans over, fear curling like waves

The lies, “All is lost. All is sand.”

How peaceful the rock, when unmoved in its name.

God's word to His loved ones, “Yet stand.”

‍

In this final chapter, Paul seeks to finish the picture he’s been forming of a faithful follower of Christ, completing for us the vision of the “new self” we are urged to put on (Eph. 4:22-24). We’re given a final image of standing firm, equipped for battle, and engaging in spiritual conflict. The Holy Spirit through Paul wants our mindset and our lives to conform to the reality of a war that is outside our physical senses, yet one that we are a part of.

‍

Take a step back with me and marvel: the Holy Spirit wants us to be aware of an unseen battle taking place around us and through us, and amazingly, he wants us on His side in this cosmic conflict. He could easily deal with it himself, without our willing participation, or even despite it. Personally, many times I wish He would just deal with it. The question has come to my mind often: Why do we fight? Why must we struggle? If Jesus has won the victory, what are we doing on the front lines?

‍

I have to remind myself that our loving Father, having written and enacted the final outcome, wants for his children the light and life of unfolding it. Trusting that he wants something good for us, we engage in the battle, not to determine the outcome, but to pick a side, and by standing firm to share the victory for our joy and to his glory. We can partake and grow in faith that he is for us, not against us, and that he wants something good for us.

‍

“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:10-12).

‍

This is ultimately a joyous call to join the great cloud of witnesses (Heb.11-12:1-2). Listen to Paul's tone, the earnest optimism with which he confidently calls us to be strong in the Lord, standing firm to take part in the victory Jesus has secured. Although we face hardship and darkness, we can take heart, for Jesus says, “I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Our King councils us to take the confident, peace-filled, defensive stance.

‍

Consider our dear brothers and sisters who were martyred, looking to heaven with hope, standing firm in their faith. This is not pacifism, this is activism (Rev.12:9-11). Be at peace. We are not called to storm the gates of hell; Jesus already did that. We are called to stand, firm in our identity in Christ, like a rock unmoved, and the gates of hell will not prevail against us (Matt.16:18).

When I was a boy, the idea of putting on the armor of God was an appealing one, and I remember vividly the toy “Armor of God” we had, how the plastic straps fit poorly, and the helmet pinched my ears. I remember the action figure with the little plastic “sword of the Spirit” at his side, the tip gnawed by one of us kids as toddlers. I was vaguely aware that it was an illustration, but I wasn't yet aware of what truth it was supposed to illustrate. I guess I thought I'd find out how to put on this armor when the battle began.

‍

Though I was unaware, the battle had already begun, and I’d been sleepwalking in no-man's land. In writing this, I’ve found it necessary to make this passage practical, to wrap myself in Gods truth, filtering all reality through it and discarding everything else (Prov. 3:5-6). I've had to reaffirm to myself and take joy in the righteousness given to me by Jesus alone, protecting my wayward heart from the misery of my constant failure (2 Cor. 5:21). I plant my feet on the good news that our God is for us, not against us (Rom. 8:31-39). I lift up my faith in the person and promises of God, who does not change, and whose promises do not fail (Num. 23:19). I find daily that I lose my head when I lose my hope, and God’s salvation plan to redeem all things from start to finish means that we have hope for a future, that one day we will no longer fight (1Thes. 5:8-10). And lastly, I cling to God’s Word, by which I am counseled and confident in each of these truths. My defense is enacted and sustained through wielding the sword of God’s living Word.

‍

I encourage you, dear brothers and sisters, to put on this armor through meditating in God’s Word and through prayer. Remember that He who created the waves also calmed them, and when all is darkness and fear, His hands are the rock held around you. His love is secure, so stand firm!

Heavenly Father, thank you for your victory we can claim and have rest in. Thank you for not leaving us without defense. Help us apply this defense, and to be aware of the battle. Give us each day, each moment, the reminder of our security and joy in you. Amen!