Entire Armor

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. (6:11)

The believer has available a range of weapons for offense and defense in this spiritual fight. Paul directs the combatant to use all of them.

One by itself is not enough. Two is far from sufficient. The Enemy attacks from different angles and with a range of ploys that require the believer to appropriate every piece of what God has made available.

I’m trying to imagine a military soldier headed for battle, but dressing in exercise clothes. “I’ll just take my helmet. I won’t need any other protection, like body armor. I know how this enemy works, and he only attacks the head region of the body. I’ll be fine.” (Besides, I’ll be through with him quickly enough, and I then I can get in my workout. I don’t need to lug that other stuff around. It will just weigh me down, and why take it; I know I won’t need it.) Or, “I’ll take my sword with me, but that’s all I’ll need. No shield or helmet or special footwear necessary, or any other piece of warrior-issue. I’ll be fine.” Sounds ludicrous? It is.

The soldier is equipped with a basic and complete package of protection and weaponry, and heads into battle with all of it. Why? The soldier does not know in advance of the battle which parts will be required at which time, or at which phase of the skirmish. But they are all available for any occasion which arises. They can be called upon and used whenever needed.

I’ve mentioned how pride is something that we must guard against in this conflict. Pride leads us to think we can handle things in our strength. One thing this means practically is that we think we can figure out how to win with our own tools and favorite pieces of weaponry. Surely, we have within ourselves all that we need, right? “I’ve been a Christian for umpteen years. I read my Bible (and have memorized a lot of it—just ask my junior high Sunday School teacher; he was amazed). I pray, give, and serve in the Church. What is coming my way that I can’t handle? I like to think of myself as ‘the complete package’. What could possibly go wrong?”

What can go wrong is that we equip ourselves with our armor. The instruction from Paul is not just to put on every piece of armor that covers the entire body, but to put on the armor that is made available by God. It’s his armor that we are suiting up in, not ours.

What does our armor look like? Man-made. Constructed with our finite insights, and limited experience. Even though we think we have been through a lot, and by this point in life can surely handle anything, knowing there’s nothing new under the sun that is coming our way, it would be good to pause for a moment. and make a quick comparison. How do we compare our experience and readiness for battle with that of the infinite, eternal God? If we should think we are equipped and powerful and ready for anything, remember that the One who is equipping us has defeated Satan. The victory is secured. When we consider the extent of evil, can any of us imagine ever saying that we are sufficient in ourselves? Coming to our senses, we will most likely say, “God, please give me all that you can!”

The quality of our equipment is meager. Even if the guarantee or warranty of what we have is good for a lifetime, how does that compare with the Eternity Guarantee of God’s armor?  

Pride says, “I can handle this. I appreciate God making things available, but I’m good. I don’t think I need any help. [And my need is not that big, or I’m sure God is busy, or…]”

God says, “You cannot make it on your own. For a while longer, the conflict is going on around you. Here, take what I have provided for you and keep it in place, ready to be used. All of it. You’ll never know in advance which piece or pieces you’ll need for which situation. Have it all available, just in case. Be equipped. When the battle starts, and you realize you’ve left out something or left it behind, it will be hard to find the supply officer and ask for help. Go in to the conflict ready for anything.”

The entire armor we need is the armor that God gives.

“Father, thank you for equipping us. You have made available all that we need in the conflict that is before us. Forgive us when we think that we can handle the battle with our own smarts and equipment and experience. We confess to you that we can’t. We need all that you provide. Show us where we have stepped out of line. For Your provision is our need and our desire.”