I have heard people say we should pretend to put on our armor every day.
That’s not what it means.
We can pretend to put on armor in our imagination,
thinking that covers the spiritual, it doesn’t.
It’s not a ritual like getting dressed in the morning.
Or even like arming oneself before a battle or war.
That armor should never be off.
It is symbolical of armor, yes, but not in the way that it has been often taught.
It’s very simple, really.
If a Christian has a difficult situation, he or she may pray and fast, spend more time in the word, seek the Lord intensely, but pretending to put on armor is not going to cut it.
Let’s break down the scriptures here. This is Ephesians Chapter 6:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 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.
This is an exhortation to stand in the Lord, not physically stand, but to be firm in your faith and God’s promises.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Loins girt with Truth represents knowing the Word of God, being founded in the Truth, who is Jesus.
The Breastplate of Righteousness is a protective covering which occurs when you walk with God in righteousness. If you don’t quite understand righteousness, this is an extensive word study (Righteousness Word Study). Righteousness is something we do and are in Christ Jesus, it is not something we pretend to put on.
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
That is, being ready and able to share the gospel of peace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
The shield of faith. “So then, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17 Make sure your faith is growing. Read about what Jesus has done in His word for others and remember what He has already done for you.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The Helmet of Salvation: knowing who you are in Christ, knowing that you have been bought with the price of His blood and that you fully belong to Him.
The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Know it, remember it, know it well enough to be able to speak it in season or out (2 Timothy 4:2), keeping it in your heart and meditating on it all day long (Psalm 119:97&98). It is powerful (Hebrews 4:12) and will not come back void (Isaiah 55:11) .
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
Last but not least, praying always…knowing all of this and looking at it as a constant readiness, a constant preparation can help you pinpoint an issue if have a breach in your armor. As always, we should rely on God’s strength because none of this armor is something we do on our own. It is with the strength of the Holy Spirit and with Jesus showing us and helping us and strengthening us (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Good reminder that our armor should never be off but that we need to be strong in our faith everyday!!
Good insight about the armor of God!!
I thought you might appreciate this. Every single time I have heard it, I have wanted to correct it.