Our spiritual armor has been defined in many ways, but most helpful to me is to see its contrast. (Eph 6:13-17)
We are given Truth because the devil is the father of lies, and there is no truth in him. (Jn 8:44)
We are given Righteousness because the devil is the thief who steals, kills, and destroys. (Jn 10:10)
We are given the Good News of Peace because the devil is confusion, strife, and every evil work. (Jas 3:16)
We are given Salvation (wholeness) because the devil is sin, sickness, and death. (Rm 6:23)
These are our positions, where we stand, and who we are. But we also have weapons. We've missed their purpose. The shield of faith and sword of the Spirit are not given to us to defend God. God does not need us to defend Him. This implies He is not enough on His own and moves us into works. Instead, He is our defense. He is what protects us.
"For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king." (Ps 89:18)
We are told to stand and use our weapons, but we are not defending Him in that action. We are using Him to defend ourselves. He is our shield. He is the Word of God. (Jn 1:1)
"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him." (Pr 30:5)
He deflects the fiery darts using the same power that raised Christ from the dead. He goes before us and follows behind us. He is the power of defense and the resources we need to make that defense. In that, we place our faith. We know His word will not return void but will accomplish what He sends it out to do. It is a weapon of precision. It can divide our smallest thoughts and intentions. It is living and active and sharp. (Eph 1:18-19; Ps 139:5; Is 55:11l
But it will not swing itself. We must make the effort to use it. When the pressure is on, do we complain or speak the Word of God? Do we pray, reliant on the presence of God and the resources of God, or are we begging and pleading?
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