Eld Chew Chong Kiat

INTRODUCTION 

Much of Christendom falls into two opposite errors about the devil. One is to ignore his existence and failing to understand that the Christian life is a fierce spiritual battle that still rages today. The other is to have an excessive and unhealthy interest in the devil and to engage in spiritual assaults against him and his minions, to break their strong holds, to bind them, and the like, using techniques to exorcise, speak or rebuke the evil spirits.  

Against these two false teachings, the Bible teaches that we are to resist the devil and he will flee from us. The weaponry we need to stand against the foe is the whole armour of God.  

We are in a constant spiritual warfare and the battle is with an unseen foe. It is not a carnal battle that can be fought with fleshly weapons. God alone provided weaponry that is well suited and effective against the foe. All we need to do is stand armed with this spiritual armament. God alone is wise enough to advise in this fight and His instructions alone suffice. And his weaponry is well suited for this warfare.  

In the army there are many weapons for war. Each piece can cause great damage to the enemy, but the soldier must be skilful and have the knowledge to operate them. It would be pointless to have a piece of weapon and not know how to operate it, or to not have it at hand but instead it is nicely packed in the store, when the war is raging. The all-wise God has given us weapons fitted particularly for our warfare. They are mighty weapons because God gives might to fight the battle through them. “(For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)" (2 Cor 10:4) We cannot expect to win the battle unless we use them. We are weak and helpless by ourselves without this armour. The apostle Paul therefore exhorts us in Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Again in verse 13a “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day...” 

May God grant us wisdom to know what these pieces of armour are that we may skilfully use each one, and employ them actively and continuously in the spiritual warfare. The study of the armour of God is immensely practical and not an academic exercise where we are curious for new things. We ought to examine ourselves whether we have put on each piece of the armour.  

Are we victorious in spiritual battles? Are we “more than conquerors through him that loved us.”? (Rom 8:37) If we are not, is it because we had neglected to put to operation the whole armour of God? Have you tried to strive against sin, against your depraved nature, against the tempter but failed? Have you taken to you the armour of God?

The message to you in the armour of God is not so much that Christ had won the victory for you, though that is true and comforting and reassuring, but that you have to put it on. The issue is not so much the provision of the armoury or its capacity, but the employment of it to battle. Christ had won the battle against sin and the consequences of sin, but there is a battle for you. You have the responsibility to fight the battle.  

I quote from Calvin,  

“The Apostle Paul after having spoken of the mighty power of God that we are to trust in v10, adds that we must array ourselves with His complete armour. As if he should say that it is incumbent upon ourselves to be well armed and equipped in such a way as to overcome all Satan’s assaults and that our own negligence is the reason why we are so often defeated and in a weak state. And why? Because God not only promises to succour unto our aid by His power, to give us victory, but He also puts means into our hands and arms us; and yet we hang our armour on a hook! And is it any wonder if we are surprised by our enemies, or are unable to resist in time of need, when we disdain to use the means that God offers us and that are so near at hand?”

He further adds  

“When it is said that we are to arm ourselves with this armour of God, it is to wake us out of our careless and reckless spirit, in letting alone things He offers us. It is true that we are well pleased when we are told that God is ready to help us and that He is mighty to save and to succour us unto himself in the times that we call on Him. We do not doubt that we shall have victory against all our enemies, so long as He is on our side. We accept all this willingly. But in the meanwhile we are content to take our ease, and to say, it is not for us to fight against our enemies, for he is far too strong for us. Or that we must need fight hand to hand, while letting the armour prepared for us hang on the hook.”

Therefore the call is for us to put it on, i.e. to put to use the armour of God.  

Notice also the word “whole” (v11,13) repeated. The emphasis is that we are not to pick and choose which pieces we like, but if we are to be victorious in battle, we are to put to action ALL that God had so graciously provided the weapons that are especially suited to spiritual battle. Every piece is essential and any missing or neglected piece will make the soldier vulnerable to the enemies.  

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

Paul having stated the various Christian duties to perform (as spouse, parent-child, servant-master in chapters 5 and 6) knew that in the discharge of these duties, we would need strength from above. He knew that we have great and mighty foes, and are powerless against them.  

The first word of encouragement to battle: Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. The emphasis is not in the power of the Lord but being strong in the Lord and in His power. We are not strong of ourselves; no matter how much natural strength or courage we have, they are vain against the invisible spiritual forces. The Christian's strength is “in the Lord” and “in the power of his might”.  

How are we to be strong in the Lord? By putting on the whole armour of God (v10). It is called “armour of God” because God appointed and provided it. The emphasis, however, is not on the armoury (belt, breastplate, shoe, shield, helmet and sword) but on the Christian graces, namely truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, hope, God’s Word and prayer. For example, it is not the breastplate that will protect us but righteousness that functions like a breastplate that protects us. The emphasis is always on the Christian graces. 

May God help us to know more about the graces in each piece of the armour in the subsequent study.