Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Wesley L. Duewel
Jesus’ Righteousness
When the enemy comes to accuse you of sins and make you feel like you’re not a Christian, remind him that he’s a liar and the father of lies. We know his job is to accuse the brothers and sisters before God day and night, (Rev. 12:10). However, we’ve been declared righteous by God; and now we can “put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Eph. 6:14). Don’t believe lies from the enemy because it was “for our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). That’s something Satan and his demons can’t touch!
The Sword
The Sword, like the rest of the armor, is something we are told to “take up,” meaning it’s up to us to pick up the equipment to defeat the enemy’s strategy. Obviously, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17b), is the only offensive weapon we have besides prayer. This is what Jesus used to rebuke the devil in the temptation in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11). Each time the devil tried to tempt Jesus by taking Scripture out of context, Jesus would put it in its proper context and rebuke him with the Word of God. Therefore, pick up the Sword of the Spirit every day. You’ll need it.
The Shield
The “shield of faith” is important when those flaming darts from the enemy start coming in. Paul tells the church at Ephesus to take up “the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Eph. 6:16). This strength of the shield is not in the shield itself. It is the faith we’ve placed in Christ that makes it strong, strong enough to “extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”
The Helmet
Without proper head protection, every soldier is vulnerable to the enemy; especially when they’re surrounded. Paul tells us to “take the helmet of salvation” (Eph. 6:17a), again saying it’s up to us to act and take it up and put it on. The “helmet of salvation” may be the idea that we know in our minds that Christ cleansed us from all unrighteousness the day we repented and trusted in Him (2 Cor. 5:21). Don’t let anything penetrate that truth because God’s Word cannot be broken. Your salvation is referred to as eternal life (John 3:16).
The Prayers
I think Paul may have left the most important thing at the end, even though the entire armor is critical. He tells the church to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Eph. 6:18). He adds, “And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:19). This is where we can go to the throne room of heaven through Jesus Christ our Lord and ask for help in our spiritual battles with the enemy. The God of the universe will hear us.
Conclusion
The enemy will ramp up his attack on you or your church when you start entering his territory. He won’t let that pass without a fight. But I say that’s good because if you’re a threat to the enemy and his dark kingdom, then you’re doing something for the Master. Keep doing until the Master comes someday and says, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21). Who doesn’t yearn to hear that!
