Nearly every morning during high school, I read Ephesians 6:10-18 before heading off to school. The battle in the school was intense. These verses reminded me what the real battle was and how God had equipped me for the battle. They remind me still today!

Ephesians 6:13-20, KJV: “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. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; ¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: ¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; ¹⁹ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Verse 13 indicates that because it is a spiritual battle we must take up the full armor of God in order to resist and stand. As I studies this verse, my heart began to rejoice. You see, I have some areas in my life where I am struggling for victory. This verse is an amazing reminder that there is victory in the spiritual battle. We are able to resist and to stand. Do you have areas where you are struggling?

Let’s break this verse down.

• take unto you: You must take the armor. There is a choice here to take the armor as you head into battle. God has provided this armor for us. We are in a battle. We must intentionally take up this full armor.
• full armor: With the full armor, it means the complete armor. We must not just pick and choose or be lax about it. What if a soldier going into battle decided to only put on half of his body armor? What if he went in half prepared? That would be foolish. How often do we foolishly do this in the intense spiritual battle?
• of God: Oh, how I need this reminder every day. I often try to fight my own battles. When I do, it doesn’t end well. But, when I let go forward in God’s strength, there is victory.
• ye may be able: Oh, the promise here. If we put on this armor, we will be able, capable. We take that step and then we are strong and powerful as the definition in the link indicates. Wow. Strong and powerful.
• to withstand: What are we able to do? We are able to withstand, to oppose, to resist. Amen!
• the evil: “Evil” here goes beyond what we would think of as evil. The link indicates that it means both a physical sense that we experience each day in chronic illness and disabiltiy as well as the ethical sense of wickedness. Did you see that? We can withstand in our disabilty. Let that sink in. Now, it doesn’t mean that it will be taken away, but that we can have victory through it.
• day: From the definition, I believe we could also look at this as this season of life, this time in which we are living.
• having done all: This phrase together indicates that we have accomplished everything. The phrase “when all is said and done…” comes to mind.
• to stand: Did you see that? After all that withstanding and resisting and opposing, we are still standing.

As my mom would say, “Glory!” Does this bring you hope today? It does me! Next, we will begin to look at this armor.