For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:12-13). What does it mean to put on the whole armor of God? Paul explains that in his introduction to the topic in Ephesians. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-11). Jesus had something to say about being kept from the evil one. “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:15-17). John introduced Jesus, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14a).

Putting on the whole armor of God is being in Christ; it is our strength in Him and in His might. We put on truth; Jesus, the word of God is truth. We put on righteousness; He is righteousness for us. We put on the preparation of the gospel of peace; He is the preparation of the gospel of peace (without Him there is no gospel). We take up faith; He is our faith being faithful for us. We put on salvation; He is salvation, our redemption. We hold the Spirit, which is the word of God; He is the word. Jesus Christ is the whole armor of God.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalm 18 :2). God did not come to the earth to show us something then leave us with a few examples written down in a book. Jesus said, “I will not leave you orphans” (John 14:18a). “At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you” (John 14:20). Jesus came to be our rock, a fortress and deliverer, and our shield. Jesus came to be the horn (power) of our salvation. Jesus came to be the full armor of God that we never take off.

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6b). That is the same Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, promised, waited for, and poured out – the Helper – the Holy Ghost. In Acts 1:7 Jesus is recorded as saying, “…you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” The Lord of Hosts (a large army) said it is not by might (the army) or power (force), but by My Spirit. That is the same Spirit Jesus said would teach us all things and bring to us the things that Jesus said – the gospel. That which surrounds us like armor is a spiritual thing – the army is prepared by the Spirit and not with armor made by the hands of man.

For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield (Psalm 5:12). The full armor of God is as much for us today as it was for those in the days of David, and the ones Jesus spoke to face-to-face. The favor of God did not come upon only one generation of mankind, and then leave. The blessings of the cross are for all of mankind forever. The Lord God is our dwelling place, a fortress and a stronghold – not by out power or might – not by armies or arms of war, but by the Spirit of God. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10).

© 2012, Tim D. Coulter Sr.