DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph.6:11
We all like to get dressed in our finest outfits. Sometimes we like to show off. But if we are not clothed in God's armor we are facing the world naked and barefoot.
We are fighting warfare, daily. The devil is on our trail day and night. We are not fighting against flesh and blood. Therefore, it is important that we dress for success by putting on the whole armor of God.
In our daily fight we are wrestling against the devil and his tactics. We deal with spiritual wickedness in high places. The devil is a spirit. He has thousands of ways of beguiling unstable souls. That is why he is called a serpent of subtlety. He is experienced in the trade of tempting.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places Eph.6:13
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph.6:14
We must stand our ground. We must resolve by the grace of God not to yield to Satan. Resist Him and he will flee from you. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 Let us put on the armor of light and the armor of righteousness.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
God desires truth, sincerity in the inward part. This is the strength of our loins and it girds on all of the other pieces. This is the Christian soldier's belt. If he is ungirded with the belt of truth he is unblessed.
Righteousness must be our breast plate. The breastplate secures the vitals and shelters the heart. The righteousness of Christ imputed to us is our breast-plate to fortify. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. I Thess.5:8 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Shoes or greaves of brass were part of the military armor. The use of them in the olden days was to defend against the gall traps and sharp sticks which was laid in the way to obstruct the marching of the enemy. Those who fell became unfit to march.
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
We must have faith. It must be our shield. This is more necessary than any of them. Faith is essential to us in our hour of temptation. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb.11:1 Faith as receiving Christ and the benefits of redemption and deriving grace from him is like a shield.
Our enemy the devil is called the wicked one. He is wicked himself and he attempts to make us wicked. His temptations are called darts because of their swift and undiscerned flight and the deep wounds that they give to the soul. Fiery darts alludes to the poisonous darts which were used to inflame the parts which were wounded with them.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The helmet secures the head. The hope of salvation will both purify the soul and keep it from being defiled by Satan. It will comfort the soul and keep it from being troubled and tormented by Satan. The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. The Word of God is very necessary and of great use to the Christian. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb.4:12
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Eph. 6:18
Prayer must buckle on all other parts of the Christian armor. We must pray always. We must pray upon all occasion.
Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil.4:6-7
If you don't put on your gear and be prepared to fight against the wiles of the devil, just know that devil is waiting in the wings to rob you of your joy.
