As the Lord's second coming is drawing nearer, Satan's scheme has become even more evil and clever. Let's now delve into spiritual meanings of God's full armor based on Ephesians 6:14-17.
"Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness" (Ephesians 6:14).
Here, the 'loins' play the pivotal role in support of the whole body. When we gird our loins with a belt, the belt strongly supports the muscles of the core along the lower spine and firmly holds them in place. We can feel stable doing strenuous work with the support of the belt. Therefore, 'having girded your loins with truth' means that we should stand firm in Jesus Christ who is truth.
When we stand firm on the Word, we will have spiritual power with which we will not be swayed by any kind of evil scheme of Satan.
A breastplate is a piece of armor that covers the torso. Without it, a soldier could be fatally wounded. God tells us to 'put on the breastplate of righteousness' to win in the spiritual battle. The knowledge of the Word of God is not enough for us to become righteous. Only when we believe the Word in heart and obey it in action can we reach righteousness (Romans 10:10). That is, only when we cast off sins and evil and fill ourselves with the truth can we protect ourselves from Satan and boldly drive away darkness.
"And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15).
When we lay aside the old self with its evil practices and put on the new self that resembles God, we can cover our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. When do so in obedience to the Word of God, we will be filled with joy, happiness, thanks, and peace.
On the contrary, we will have a hard time leading our Christian lives and feel troubled if we do not act upon the Word of God although we learn it. When we pray fervently, we can receive the Holy Spirit's fullness and inspiration and thereby live by the Word. It enables us to rejoice always, pray unceasingly, and give thanks in every aspect (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
If we become renewed by loving God and live in peace and happiness, through our gospel, many people will listen and enter into the way of life out of the way to death.
"Additionally, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16).
However brave a warrior may be and however well he may put on the armor, if he has no shield, his life may be easily threatened.
If one is shot by a flaming arrow, he may be severely injured. But we can be protected and extinguish all the flaming arrows of Satan with the shield of faith when Satan tempts us with fiery trials.
If we please God the Almighty with faith, all problems including diseases and poverty will be solved and the forces of darkness will be driven away.
"And take up the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17).
If one does not wear the metal helmet on the battle field, it is like bringing death upon himself. Spiritually, the most important thing is the helmet of salvation.
Philippians 2:12 says, "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Salvation is not given to anybody who professes the faith in Christ. Until we reach perfect salvation, we should keep ourselves sober and stay in the truth.
If one is filled with thanks and joy for salvation, his face should be bright with a smile, his lips should move with praise, and his eyes should shine with joy. His ears would long to listen to the Word of God and work for His kingdom with life and love for the Lord.
If we wear the helmet of salvation, although trials come, we can overcome them in the spiritual warfare and thereby glorify God more greatly.
The breastplate, helmet, and shield are all defensive armaments, but a sword is primarily an offensive weapon used to attackthe enemy. Without it, we can't win. In the spiritual war, as well, we should arm ourselves with this sword of the Spirit to defeat Satan. The sword of the Spirit refers to the Word of God.
To the extent that we spiritually arm ourselves with the Word, the greater strength and authority will come down from above and we can defeat forces of darkness.
Lastly, arming ourselves with the Word of God is like the preparations made prior to putting on the full armor. Fervent prayer is like the action of putting on the full armor. We must pray as well as being armed with the Word to lead countless souls to the Lord by the power of God.
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