Christian's Defense...

Christian's Defense...

God has given us a most enlightening passage in His Word dealing with Satanic power, and the Christian's defense against it; "From now on, you must grow stronger through union with the Lord and through His mighty power. You must put on God's full armor, so as to be able to stand up against the devil's stratagems.

"For our contest [fight,wrestling] is not with human foes alone, but with the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark world; that is, with the spirit~forces of evil challenging us in the heavenly contest" (Eph. 6:10 12, Williams.)

We should pay the strictest attention to the divine estimate of the enemy. Our warfare in the Christian life is not with human foes alone. We are engaged in a struggle with the rulers (potentates), authorities, cosmic powers (present world powers) of this dark world. These are described as the spirit forces of evil, that is, the superhuman forces who challenge us every step of the way.

"So you must take on the full armor, so as to be able to take a stand in the day when evil attacks you, and after having completely finished the contest, to hold your own" ( 6:13, Williams).

Following this stern admonition, a set of armor is described, piece by piece, based on the Roman soldier's battle dress. First was the girdle or waist encirclement- of truth (6:14). Paul, of course, was making a spiritual application of this figure.

The girdle, then, is the knowledge, the acceptance, the use of truth as it encircles our spiritual being. It consists of the great verities of our God and His relationship to us through Christ. It includes a complete reliance upon what God has said concerning Himself, His Son, mankind, the world, past history, and the unfolding future. In this truth we firmly trust. It is an essential piece of our armor, and amply supports us.

To cover the heart, there is the breastplate of righteousness (6:14). Evidently this is desperately needed, for the fiery darts of the foe are aimed specifically at this area. This piece of equipment has two sides. On the inner lining is the completely unassailable and impenetrable righteousness of Christ, with which He clothes us when we receive Him as Saviour. On the outer side are the good works, the righteous life of the believer led by and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This is a proof to the world of God's power to live through us.

The Good News of peace is the protection for the feet (6:15). If wounded here, the Christian's progress is hindered. This is witnessing, the advance of the Gospel in all the earth. It is doing what we know must be done for Christ.