Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Ephesians 6:10, 11

Paul is writing this letter while a prisoner, surrounded by well-armed Roman soldiers.  He had plenty of time to observe his guards and even chat with them, no doubt.  While looking at how they were dressed, I can imagine him wishing that all the believers he is writing to would have such armor to fight the enemy, Satan.

He starts by encouraging the Ephesian believers to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Armor is no good if the one who wears it is too weak or frightened to fight the good fight of faith.  Such strength does not come from us, but from God himself who loves us, saves us and keeps us.  We fight our spiritual battles in his strength, not our own.  But battle, we must!  Every follower of Jesus Christ learns that discipleship is a battle, a real battle.

Paul writes, Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  This armor is a gift from God who knows of our battles with the enemy and through his amazing grace, offers us spiritual armor to overcome the demonic strategies.

I like to think that Paul is emphasizing the importance of going to the armory to get our armor.  God will not dress us, we must deliberately dress ourselves with the armor that God so graciously provides.  Put it on, Paul says!

All of us believers need help!  And we discover that while we are fighting one battle, another appears before us and we must keep on the good fight.  I am now pushing 90 – still fighting.  I pray that Jesus in me will strengthen me, no matter, to meet Him with a testimony of his goodness.