Ephesians 6:13
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.
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.
As I write this entry, I have been writing other things for about 2 ½ to 3 hours already, and considered waiting, but I felt it necessary to continue. I was unsure in the last entry to include verse 13 in the discussion of Part 2 of The Armor of God, but after prayer and reflection, I felt led to use it as a “jumping off” point for the discussion of the various pieces of spiritual armor, which we will begin studying in Part 4. I have amended the schedule from last time and, instead of looking at two verses this time, I will only be discussing one. I trust this series has been helpful to you thus far, and that you will return to this blog as we continue our exploration (don’t forget to leave your comments and pass along the web address to your friends!).
In Part 2, our discussion dealt with the need for strength, and what those forces are which require Godly strength to overcome. Verse 13 seems to be a natural break in the thought, the continuation of the overall message. After explaining the enemies of the child of God, the Apostle Paul says, in essence, “So, since all of these things are against you, because this is such a serious and severe battle you face daily, you must now do what is necessary to overcome.” This brings us to Part 3 in this series.
You will recall toward the end of our previous entry, I mentioned that the key word in verse 11 was the word WHOLE. Again Paul stresses that, in order to overcome the forces against us, we must take each and every piece of God’s armor, if we have any hope of success. He says that the entire key to surviving and enduring these daily challenges rests not only in the possession of, but the utilizing of the whole armor of God.
The power of God is not like some invisible force field you’d see in a Star Trek episode, shielding us from the attack of the enemy. While it is God’s power that ultimately gives us success, there is an element of choice on our part, and the choice we make is essential.
I can perhaps best illustrate this by using an everyday example. As you are preparing to leave your home one morning, you see a flash of lightning and hear the crack of thunder rumbling in the distance. Pulling aside the curtains reveals a dark, blustery day awaiting you. The wind is whipping the tree branches around, and rain is falling in heavy sheets, obscuring your view of the end of the sidewalk, where your car awaits you.
You finish getting ready, hoping the wind and rain will lessen by the time you are finished. It does not. So, you start walking around your house collecting those items that will keep you dry on your way to the car. Gathering each item and placing them on the couch, you finally have everything at your disposal. You have a waterproof raincoat that goes almost to the ground. You have rubber coverings for your shoes. You have a hat, which is also waterproof. In addition, you have a large umbrella.
Your goal is to reach your car without getting wet, so the question presents itself: what will you choose to use? You are free to pick whatever items you wish, using all, some or none. If you choose to use the rubber shoe coverings only, you’re going to get soaked. If you choose to use just the raincoat and hat, your shoes will get wet. Just take the umbrella, and the wind will most certainly blow the rain underneath and drench your clothes. One other option presents itself. You can fold up the coat and place it under one arm, put the hat in one hand, the shoe coverings in the other, and the umbrella under your other arm, and head out into the storm.
Now, take this example and insert it into verse 13. To be able to withstand the storm effectively, without getting wet, every piece of equipment you have must be used. But it must be used properly and effectively. As I said in the previous paragraph, you can take everything out the door with you, but unless you’re using it the way it was intended, you will still get wet, even though each item was designed to keep you dry.
Satan makes sure that the storms in your life are fierce, that they blow in every direction, and that everything is done to maximize the difficulty you will face. God has provided us with the tools necessary to withstand and overcome, but only if we know what they are, where they are, and how to use them. Then, we must choose to put each one to use, otherwise those things we do end up using aren’t as effective at keeping us safe.
Now, let’s look at the rest of this verse, and once again figure out a way for us to understand it. The last part of verse 13 says, “…and having done all, to stand.” Returning once more to our example, let’s say you do end up putting on everything, the raincoat, the hat, the shoe coverings and the umbrella. Then, after adorning yourself in this fine waterproof array, you sit down in your recliner, prop up your feet, turn on the television, and enjoy your favorite program.
What’s wrong with this picture?
Those rain-protecting items are meant to be used in the rain, and if you’re going to use them, then use them! After having done all the work, it’s time to head out into the storm. You put your trust in these things to keep you dry, and once you reach your car, you find that all the work paid off. You’re ready to head off to your destination, and you’re doing it dry.
We go to church, we study and pray, and intellectually we know that the armor of God is there for us. However, we need to remember that we’re on a journey. The Lord didn’t design us to sit still, but to move. It’s safe to stay isolated, to never take a personal risk, but we never accomplish anything. God has instructed us in what His armor is, and how to use it. Now, after we have done everything, it’s time to stand. The armor will work, and once we have put on every piece, we must put it to use and stand.
God does not want us to go out into the storms of life and get drenched. When we claim to be a Christian, everything we say and do (and everything we don’t say and don’t do) reflects on the Lord. If God promised to be with us and never forsake us, if He said His grace was sufficient, if He gave us armor that will enable us to stand, then it is our obligation to do all we can to stand. We must rely on His strength to see us through, but we must be the ones to choose to use that strength.
Life is filled with storm and trials. The devil will hit us with everything he’s got, when it is and is not convenient for us, when we are taking a risk or playing it safe. Therefore it is necessary that we take up all of God’s armor. It is the only way we can overcome. Nevertheless, taking up the armor is not enough. We need to put it on and use it.
Storms will come. The key is what we will do with the storm when it does arrive. We know the enemy, we know his ruthlessness and his tricks, and we know we have the hope of beating him. It is time to stand.
So, what are the pieces of this mighty armor, and how do we use it? How do we “put it on?” That is a discussion for another time. Check back soon, and we will begin to examine each piece of Godly armor, what it means for us, and how to most effectively put it to use each and every day.
NEXT TIME: Ephesians 6:14
© 2006, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.
In Part 2, our discussion dealt with the need for strength, and what those forces are which require Godly strength to overcome. Verse 13 seems to be a natural break in the thought, the continuation of the overall message. After explaining the enemies of the child of God, the Apostle Paul says, in essence, “So, since all of these things are against you, because this is such a serious and severe battle you face daily, you must now do what is necessary to overcome.” This brings us to Part 3 in this series.
You will recall toward the end of our previous entry, I mentioned that the key word in verse 11 was the word WHOLE. Again Paul stresses that, in order to overcome the forces against us, we must take each and every piece of God’s armor, if we have any hope of success. He says that the entire key to surviving and enduring these daily challenges rests not only in the possession of, but the utilizing of the whole armor of God.
The power of God is not like some invisible force field you’d see in a Star Trek episode, shielding us from the attack of the enemy. While it is God’s power that ultimately gives us success, there is an element of choice on our part, and the choice we make is essential.
I can perhaps best illustrate this by using an everyday example. As you are preparing to leave your home one morning, you see a flash of lightning and hear the crack of thunder rumbling in the distance. Pulling aside the curtains reveals a dark, blustery day awaiting you. The wind is whipping the tree branches around, and rain is falling in heavy sheets, obscuring your view of the end of the sidewalk, where your car awaits you.
You finish getting ready, hoping the wind and rain will lessen by the time you are finished. It does not. So, you start walking around your house collecting those items that will keep you dry on your way to the car. Gathering each item and placing them on the couch, you finally have everything at your disposal. You have a waterproof raincoat that goes almost to the ground. You have rubber coverings for your shoes. You have a hat, which is also waterproof. In addition, you have a large umbrella.
Your goal is to reach your car without getting wet, so the question presents itself: what will you choose to use? You are free to pick whatever items you wish, using all, some or none. If you choose to use the rubber shoe coverings only, you’re going to get soaked. If you choose to use just the raincoat and hat, your shoes will get wet. Just take the umbrella, and the wind will most certainly blow the rain underneath and drench your clothes. One other option presents itself. You can fold up the coat and place it under one arm, put the hat in one hand, the shoe coverings in the other, and the umbrella under your other arm, and head out into the storm.
Now, take this example and insert it into verse 13. To be able to withstand the storm effectively, without getting wet, every piece of equipment you have must be used. But it must be used properly and effectively. As I said in the previous paragraph, you can take everything out the door with you, but unless you’re using it the way it was intended, you will still get wet, even though each item was designed to keep you dry.
Satan makes sure that the storms in your life are fierce, that they blow in every direction, and that everything is done to maximize the difficulty you will face. God has provided us with the tools necessary to withstand and overcome, but only if we know what they are, where they are, and how to use them. Then, we must choose to put each one to use, otherwise those things we do end up using aren’t as effective at keeping us safe.
Now, let’s look at the rest of this verse, and once again figure out a way for us to understand it. The last part of verse 13 says, “…and having done all, to stand.” Returning once more to our example, let’s say you do end up putting on everything, the raincoat, the hat, the shoe coverings and the umbrella. Then, after adorning yourself in this fine waterproof array, you sit down in your recliner, prop up your feet, turn on the television, and enjoy your favorite program.
What’s wrong with this picture?
Those rain-protecting items are meant to be used in the rain, and if you’re going to use them, then use them! After having done all the work, it’s time to head out into the storm. You put your trust in these things to keep you dry, and once you reach your car, you find that all the work paid off. You’re ready to head off to your destination, and you’re doing it dry.
We go to church, we study and pray, and intellectually we know that the armor of God is there for us. However, we need to remember that we’re on a journey. The Lord didn’t design us to sit still, but to move. It’s safe to stay isolated, to never take a personal risk, but we never accomplish anything. God has instructed us in what His armor is, and how to use it. Now, after we have done everything, it’s time to stand. The armor will work, and once we have put on every piece, we must put it to use and stand.
God does not want us to go out into the storms of life and get drenched. When we claim to be a Christian, everything we say and do (and everything we don’t say and don’t do) reflects on the Lord. If God promised to be with us and never forsake us, if He said His grace was sufficient, if He gave us armor that will enable us to stand, then it is our obligation to do all we can to stand. We must rely on His strength to see us through, but we must be the ones to choose to use that strength.
Life is filled with storm and trials. The devil will hit us with everything he’s got, when it is and is not convenient for us, when we are taking a risk or playing it safe. Therefore it is necessary that we take up all of God’s armor. It is the only way we can overcome. Nevertheless, taking up the armor is not enough. We need to put it on and use it.
Storms will come. The key is what we will do with the storm when it does arrive. We know the enemy, we know his ruthlessness and his tricks, and we know we have the hope of beating him. It is time to stand.
So, what are the pieces of this mighty armor, and how do we use it? How do we “put it on?” That is a discussion for another time. Check back soon, and we will begin to examine each piece of Godly armor, what it means for us, and how to most effectively put it to use each and every day.
NEXT TIME: Ephesians 6:14
© 2006, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.
2 comments:
i WAS looking forward to a breakdown of each and every piece of armor today, but I'm glad you took this route. This is one of my favorite books of the Bible--looking forward to next time!
I am glad you are enjoying this series. In the future, I hope to engage in similar examinations of other Scripture passages.
As I began to write, the Lord began to give me more and more inspiration for Ephesians 6:13, and it became so long that I felt the best thing to do was wait until the next entry to begin the study of the armor itself. At that point, I will be looking at one piece of armor per entry.
Thanks again for your interest, and I hope the future entries are an encouragement to you! God bless!
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