We learnt from last week that we should put the “whole armor of God”.
This means our supernatural set of weaponry comes directly from God. God Himself, is the source of origin for this armor. Thus, the verse could be accurately translated, “Put on the whole armor that comes from God.” Because this weaponry has its origin in God, it is vital for us to remain in unbroken fellowship with Him in order for us to continually enjoy the benefits of our spiritual armor.
If we break fellowship with the Lord, we step away from our all-important power source. As long as our fellowship with the Lord is unbroken, the power source for our spiritual weaponry also remains intact. I am amazed by people who ignore their spiritual lives and cease to walk in the power of God and then complain because it seems like all kinds of trouble are breaking loose in their lives. They often look for deep, dark reasons for this trouble that has erupted in their lives when the explanation for this outbreak of confusion is actually very simple. So when a believer temporarily ceases to walk in fellowship with and in the power of God, he is choosing to temporarily step away from the Source from which his armor comes.
When you temporarily cease to walk in fellowship with God, you are electing to temporarily walk away from His divine flow of abundant life. This is why we are encouraged to “abide in Him” not to visit occasionally the “Shelter of the Most High”. What happens to the power of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life when he develops a “who cares?” attitude about his spiritual development?
Although the power of God is still available to that believer, his “who cares?” attitude temporarily pulls the plug on his power source. Why? Because this spiritual power has its origin in the Lord. Thus, when a believer stops walking in fellowship with the Lord, he is choosing to temporarily stop the flow of this divine power into his life. Furthermore, consider what happens to a believer’s ability to walk in his spiritual armor when he temporarily suspends his fellowship with the Lord. Does that believer continue to reap the benefits of his God-given spiritual armor in this state of spiritual suspension? Of course not. Yes, this believer’s spiritual armor is still available for him to use and enjoy. However, because he has suspended his fellowship with the Lord, he is also opting to temporarily suspend his ability to walk in the armor of God — the very armor God gave to protect and defend him. Whenever you put your spiritual life temporarily “on hold,” you are opting to lay aside your spiritual armor. As believers it is very important to ensure that on we obtain the nourishment of our spirit on a daily basis. I am reminded of the Lord’s prayer- “give us our daily bread”. We can’t afford to put our spiritual nourishment on hold.
I was really blessed by what one of my favourite ministers of the gospel, Dunsin Oyekan once said about his fellowship with the Lord, “have a time, have a place and keep at it”. This is the discipline required of a believer on a daily basis.
Many Christians begin each new day by pretending to put on the whole armor of God. As soon as they get out of bed in the morning, the first thing they do is to act as though they are actually putting on each piece of their weaponry. A person who does this reaches down to his waist and pretends like he is actually wrapping the loin belt of truth around his body. Then he reaches around his chest as if he is actually placing a breastplate of righteousness across his upper torso. He bends down and acts as if he is putting shoes of peace on his feet. He pretends to put on a helmet of salvation and then reaches over and “picks up” a shield of faith to carry throughout the day. Finally, he simulates the movements of one who is placing a sword in its scabbard at his side. There is nothing wrong with this daily routine of pretending to put on spiritual armor. In fact, it may help some people focus better on their spiritual walk (especially children). However, this daily simulation of putting on a suit of armor does not actually put “the whole armor of God” on anyone. The armor of God is ours by virtue of our relationship with God. This is the reason Paul wrote in the genitive case. He wanted us to know that this armor originates in God and is freely bestowed upon those who continually draw their life and their existence from God. Your unbroken, ongoing fellowship with God is your absolute guarantee that you are constantly and habitually dressed in the whole armor of God. Also notice that in Ephesians 6:11, Paul says, “Put on the whole armor of God....” God has provided a complete set of weaponry for us, not a partial one. He has given us the whole armor of God. Remember, the phrase “whole armor” is taken from the word panoplia and pictures a Roman soldier who is fully dressed in his armor from head to toe.
Everything the soldier needed to successfully combat his adversary was at his disposal. Likewise, God has given us everything we need to successfully combat opposing spiritual forces. Nothing is lacking. It is unfortunate that some denominations and Charismatic organisations have majored only on certain parts of the armor of God. Some teach incessantly on the “shield of faith” and the “sword of the Spirit” while neglecting the other pieces of armor God has given believers. Other groups and denominations seem to preach and teach on nothing but the “helmet of salvation” week after week. They have their helmets on — but otherwise, they are stark naked. We are commanded to put on the whole armor of God. Thank God for our loin belt of truth, but He gave us more than a loin belt. Thank God for our breastplate of righteousness, but He gave us more than a breastplate. Thank God for our shoes of peace, but He gave us more than shoes. Thank God for our shield of faith, but He gave us more than a shield. Thank God for our helmet of salvation, but He gave us more than a helmet. Thank God for our sword of the Spirit, but He gave us more than a sword! We have been given the whole armor of God — and it is this complete set of spiritual weaponry that Paul commands us to pick up and use continually in the course of our Christian lives!
As Paul continues in this passage, he tells us why we need this armor. He says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. The word able is derived from the word dunamis, and it describes explosive ability and dynamic strength or power. This Greek phrase could be more accurately translated, “... that you may have incredible, explosive, dynamic power....” By using this word dunamis, Paul declares that when we are equipped with the whole armor of God, we have explosive and dynamic power at our command! This dunamis power is so strong that it equips us, for the first time in our lives, to confront and pursue the enemy rather than to be pursued by him. Because of this dunamis power that is at our command when we walk in the whole armor of God, we become the aggressors. This is why Paul goes on to say, “...that you may be able to stand against ” The phrase “to stand” is taken from the word stenai, and it literally means to stand. In this verse, Paul uses the word stenai to picture a Roman soldier who is standing upright and tall with his shoulders thrown back and his head lifted high. This is the image of a proud and confident soldier, not one who is slumped over in defeat and despondency.
