The Armor

So this morning let's take a look at the weapons that are at your disposal. These are listed for us in Ephesians 6:13-18.

• truth
• righteousness
• peace
• faith
• salvation
• Word of God
• prayer

So there they are, but how on earth is a believer to use this stuff? One thing I found quite interesting is that in verse 13 we are told to take up the whole armor of God. I have always looked at this list and thought that I should put on one piece at a time until it was complete. But according to this verse, I must take them all up. There are a couple of reasons why I think this is important.

1. The pieces of the armor work together. For example none of us believe we are righteous, and before salvation we are not. But righteousness is put upon us the moment of salvation. Without the Word of God we would not know that and without truth we will not believe that. Another example is using the Word of God to attack disobedience. If we do not have peace, then we will use the Word of God without understanding the end result of the battle is peace for the believer. We are not to attack people with the Word of God, but to help them find peace by a deliverance of their sin.
2. The armor becomes who we are. Let me explain this: if a believer is to use truth, then he must live truth. The believer is to be honest in all his dealings. When he gives his word to do something, he carries through with it. Truth is not a piece of the battle, it is who they are - as with the other pieces. For example the Word of God - the believer becomes the Word of God. When they open their mouths, words that honor God come out. When they have a difficult situation, the Word of God is their strength and direction. They don't just carry it on Sunday's, they live it in front of a lost world.

That gives us a ton to think about today. Are you using and living out the armor of God in your life?