Ephesians 6:11-1711Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For 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. 13Wherefore 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. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:11‑17)
A soldier of long ago had an armor of metal to protect him from his foe; as you know from pictures, there was a helmet, a breastplate, and other pieces, and he carried a large shield to keep off the spears, darts, or arrows.
There has always been a powerful, though unseen, enemy against people, the wicked spirit called Satan, or the devil, and God gives a special “armor” to protect each one who believes Him:
“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
The word “wiles” here means deceit, or we might call tricks, not so much things we can see, yet do great harm, as falsehoods, ridicule and doubts of God and the Lord Jesus. Notice the armor God gives, is the opposite of Satan’s evil wiles:
1St. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.”
If you know what is true you will not be deceived by what is false. To stand with the garments girt about, shows readiness; so to know the truths of God makes His “soldier” ready to resist evil.
2nd. “Having on the breastplate of righteousness.”
God has blotted out the sins of those who believe His Son, and looks upon them as righteous, not for any good of their own, but through Christ; no greater good could be done for us than to be counted righteous by God, and to know that fully protects, as the breastplate, when Satan suggests doubts of God’s goodness.
3rd. “Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”
The soldier’s feet were protected from rough roads and hurts. God wants to give peace, the opposite of the strife which Satan causes, to protect in trials and from evil: it is the good. tidings of the Saviour which brings peace to all who accept Him; then, if the feet are carrying those good tidings to others, they will not be in Satan’s paths.
4th. “Taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
The shield was shaped for the darts or arrows to bounce off, and the soldier held it between him and his foe: so faith in God sends away Satan’s “darts” of unbelief, for the first thing faith does, is to believe the authority of God, then all the teaching of His Word, the Bible.
When you were first told that certain marks made the letter A, you believed it: if you had said “I do not believe that,” you could not have learned more. We first believe our parents or teacher; so with God’s words, we first believe because He said them; as we learn more, we find those we did not understand explained.
5th. “Take the helmet of salvation.”
God gives salvation, or makes safe, all who believe in the Lord Jesus, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasng life.” To know this, protects from Satan’s worst wiles, for he wants all to doubt this.
ML 11/26/1944