Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:11)

When Paul exhorts the Ephesian church (and, by extension, all Christians) to “put on the full armor of God,” I remember my graduate school days when I was on the fencing team. Arming myself against my opponent was critical. Mask to protect my face and neck, check. Well-padded uniform to protect (only the front of) my torso, check. Thick leather to protect my hand, check. The right shoes, check. My weapon, check. My “enemy” was real, so 90% of my equipment was defensive because I needed to be prepared to defend my territory. Retreating would put me in danger of running afoul, and turning my back made me exceedingly vulnerable.

No doubt, you’re already making spiritual applications; Paul makes them even clearer. As Christians, we have enemies, and while we may think only of people who mock our faith or persecute believers, Paul emphasizes the unseen nature of our enemy. “We struggle against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil” (v.12). We can’t turn our backs as if the spiritual realm doesn’t exist; attacks will come, whether they’re persistent negative thoughts, recurring nightmares, or escalated tensions at home and work. Paul reminds us that the devil “schemes” against us (v.11). He started with Eve in the Garden, and he hasn’t let up since. 

How do we defend ourselves and, when needed, attack? 

First, we must be aware of the armor at our disposal. Negative, dark thoughts affect all of us; my mind needs protection. With salvation as my helmet (v.17), Christ protects my thought center. He helps me “demolish arguments against God and take captive” those negative thoughts (2 Cor. 10:5). My vital organs can be targeted, too: my heart, the seat of my emotions, and other organs keep my body functioning well, but we know how easily heartache can come or stomach woes can act in concert with our emotions. Paul reminds us that Christ’s truth (my belt, v.14), His righteousness (my breastplate, v.14), and my faith (my shield, v.16) protect my emotions against Satan’s lies, his attacks on my character, and his challenges to my beliefs. Finally, the right footwear means walking in the peace of the gospel (v.15). Those “shoes” ready me to stand or move forward in confidence, not to retreat or turn my back in fear. 

Second, we need all our armor (v.11): a well-padded glove will protect my hand from my enemy’s attack but leave the rest of me vulnerable. Arm yourself with all those bold-print words above!

Third, if we need to act, we do so with the one weapon we’re given: “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v.17). The more we know His word, the more prepared we are to stand on (vs.11,13,14) and defend the ground Jesus has already won. We’ll have battles to fight, to be sure, but Jesus has secured the ultimate victory.

The fencing judge begins every match with the questions, en-guard? and pret? Are you fully armed, ready, standing your ground? Readiness comes from daily time with the Lord, asking Him to help us be prepared, to arm us daily in Him. Then when the fencing judge says, allez (go!), let the battle begin.