Be careful in how you wear your armor

Editor’s note: This is a reprinted column from Jack Purcell’s “On the Journey” archives. It originally appeared in The Star in 2013.

In the sixth chapter of Ephesians the Apostle Paul gives a stern admonition to all the early Christians in Ephesus to put on their armor. The reason for this armor is because all those committed to a relationship with the Savior are in a battle that requires defenses.

The battle is with Satan, the enemy of God and all his children. The problem we can recognize right away is that our enemies are not flesh and blood but are unseen. They are spiritual powers that are very real.

Therefore we are to put on the whole armor of God to ward off the attacks of the evil ones. The Scripture is specific about the armor. It is listed right there for us to acknowledge and apply.

In short we are to avail ourselves of this armor which consists of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and the spirit of God given to us by God.

You may already have a good understanding of this biblical teaching but never given a lot of thought to the consequences of not heeding this warning. It would be similar to a soldier going into battle without his helmet and body armor.

Thus, I would like you to consider the armor worn by those rejecting God’s admonition. You have undoubtedly seen a movie with sword-wielding knights charging across a meadow on their giant steeds. The one thing that is obvious is that those on both sides of the battle are wearing armor.

I think it is no different in the spiritual realm. The armor I would like to propose is worn by those who see no need or value of God’s armor. These poor souls are fighting the same enemy with faulty, unsafe armor.

Paul didn’t deem it necessary to tell us about this other armor but the implication of opposites is readily available for us to consider. Those who ignore God’s admonition are, without realizing it, applying armor that looks something like this.

Rather than truth they have lies (about God and themselves).

Rather than righteousness they have sin and selfish practices.

Rather than peace they have anxiety and greed.

Rather than faith they have self-reliance.

Rather than salvation they have a God complex. (They know better than God.)

Rather than spirit they have ego.

You may, of course, find other words to plug in one of these spots but for purposes of evaluation these should suffice. I am not speaking of you personally, nor am I judging people I know.

I am thinking simply that when one side of the equation is not applied, the other side is. So be careful how you suit up.

The armor the knights wore was heavy and cumbersome which is somewhat like the self-made armor of today. God’s armor, on the contrary, is light but effective in warding off the attacks of the enemy.

So before you go riding off into battle with selfmade armor, consider how much safer you would be with God’s armor perfectly fitted for you.