How am I supposed to “put on” the armor of God? Pt. 3

Your body has seven openings from the neck up: two nostrils, two ears, two eyes, and one mouth. Pivotal to each person’s salvation are their choices concerning what they allow to enter their minds through these senses. Jesus said, “The lamp of the body is the eye” (Luke 11:34). Also, we read, “Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge” (Proverbs 23:12) and, “Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you” (Proverbs 4:24).

We need to be careful what we watch, what we listen to, what we say, and what we eat and drink. These things affect who we are. Ask God for that helmet of salvation. Think of it as a space helmet, where you’ve got a heavenly atmosphere to breathe. It’s protecting you from harmful influences. We need to firmly strap the helmet of salvation in place and guard these avenues to the soul.

When the Bible talks about the sword, it means you need to get to know your Bible. The other armaments in God’s arsenal are defensive in nature, but the sword is primarily an offensive weapon. When Jesus fought the devil, He quoted Scripture. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin” (Psalm 119:11).

The last of the armaments is really an attitude. Any general knows that victory almost always depends on which army has the element of surprise. The Scripture says, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). We should “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This does not mean we go about on our knees all day; rather, we must be constantly aware of God’s presence and that there is an enemy stalking us.

How can we stand? How can we fight? Paul gives us the answer: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10). Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Key Bible Texts

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13 KJV)