Stand Protected During Our Daily Battle
May 14, 2019
Commentary
To “stand” implies urgency and in place (v. 14). The “girdle” holds the other parts of the armor together in the same way that truth is an integrating force of the victorious Christian’s life. The soldier’s “breastplate” protected his chest from the enemy just like a believer’s heart needs protection from the devil’s attacks (v. 14). Our beautiful “feet” carries us to share the Gospel (v. 15).
Satan’s “fiery darts” are full of the flaming arrows of adversity and his quiver is full of them (v. 16). Frequently he fires a round of problems at us (sickness, financial loss, broken relationships), and when our guard is down, he will hit us with fear, doubt or depression. The “shield of faith” is trust in the promises and power of God that protects us from the enemy. The soldiers’ shield was large, usually about four by two feet (about the size of a door) and was covered with leather. It protected the soldiers from spears, arrows and the fiery darts. Since Satan wants to capture us at our weakest area we must use the shield of faith and walk by faith and not try to handle the enemy ourselves.
Notice we are to take the “sword” and the “helmet” (v. 17). The helmet protects our minds when our minds are controlled by God. We need to be “taught by Him as the truth is in Jesus” (Eph. 4:2; John 14:6). The Word of God, which is also the sword of the Spirit is enough for our weapon. A physical sword wounds to hurt and kill, while the sword of the Spirit wounds to heal and give life.
Application
I want to be disciplined so that I am in the Word of God every day? Lord, help me to put on your whole armor. Then I want to be applying it and relying on your protection each day?
Ephesians 6:14– 17 (NET)
14 Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace, 16 and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God).
Illustration: The Father’s Protection
The early American Indians had a unique practice of training young braves. On the night of a young tribal boy’s thirteenth birthday, after learning hunting, scouting, and fishing skills, he was put to one final test. He was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then, he had never been away from the protection of his family and the tribe. But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of a thick woods and he was terrified! Every time a twig snapped, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce. After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was his father. He had been there all night long. (Our Daily Bread, October 1991)