In my last blog, we concluded by looking at the strategy that the Apostle James gives us when temptation knocks on our door. His strategy is short and simple, 

“Submit to God and resist the devil” (Js. 4:7).

If we are to overcome the temptation that is presented to us, we must first submit our will to God’s will, regardless of how good “our will” may look or feel, and then we must resist the devil, not flee from him. And because he is “the father of lies,” we must confront the lie with the truth from God’s Word. 

The Apostle Paul provides us with some additional information that helps each of us to resist and overcome the temptations of the enemy. He uses the metaphor of a Roman soldier and the equipment that he puts on prior to doing battle with the enemy. He calls it “the armor of God.” Here’s what Paul says,

“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Eph. 6:10-11).

Notice that Paul calls us to “be strong,” and that the source of our strength comes from the Lord. We cannot do battle with the devil in our own strength, we need the Lord’s strength to empower us. Paul continues by saying,

“Take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm” (Eph. 6:13).

Once again in this important passage of Scripture, Paul exhorts us to “take up the full armor of God.” I’d like us to realize that it’s “God’s armor,” not ours, but we must “put it on.” He provides all the resources we need to confront the evil one, but we must decide to put on the armor.

Before we look at the armor itself, which we will do next week, there are two important items in this passage of Scripture that are critical to our understanding. First, when Paul exhorts us to “put on” or “take up” the full armor of God, he uses the Greek aorist tense of the verb, which refers to “simple action” as opposed to the present tense, which indicates “continuous action.”  What does this mean for us? It simply means “do it,” that is, “put it on” when you need it, but you don’t need to wear it all the time. Why? Here is more of what Paul says.

Secondly, Paul exhorts us to put on the armor so that we can resist “in the evil day.” Although every day has “evil” in it, not every day is an “evil day.” The “evil day” to which Paul is referring is any day when temptation from the evil one seems to be particularly strong and when overcoming that temptation seems impossible. That’s when he exhorts us to put on the armor of God.

The Roman soldier in the first century (or any soldier in any century) does not keep his armor on all the time. He puts it on only when he ventures beyond the Roman garrison and into dangerous territory or when preparing to confront the enemy. And so, the implication for us is that the “armor of God” is to be “taken up” when we are being confronted by the enemy, that is, as Paul said, “in the evil day.” Using the metaphor of the Roman soldier, I believe that Paul is telling us to set it aside as we walk with Christ by faith each day, enjoying His presence and doing His will, but to always keep our armor within arm’s length (so to speak), ready to put it on at a moment’s notice when we sense the presence and temptation of the evil one.

Next week, we will take a look at the armor, which we are to put on when confronted by the enemy. I hope you will plan to join me.