Never fight naked!

Armor Is Only an Illustration

But never fight naked without it! As we’ve said, armor is only an illustration used by Paul. But I’m afraid we get stuck on the illustration and lose the meaning and pjurpose behind each piece of the armor. It is not an exoskeleton, like Iron Man. It is more like a spiritual plating which increasingly holds up your soul internally and externally as you fight spiritual battles. But can you quickly name what the armor represents without naming the pieces? Granted, Paul’s illustration is a great one…but we must understand how each piece represents a deeply spiritual relational offer from God Himself, and not get caught up on the parts of the illustration. We must see how each part can cover our spiritual nakedness.

We do not get handed a perfectly formed suit of armor at the moment of salvation.

But, we do get a seal of ownership. Remember, we are “sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30). I believe that. I also believe there are many folks who think they got their “Go-to-heaven ticket punched” because someone had them just say a prayer. But they didn’t really mean it. 

Words were said, but their heart was not involved. 

That was years ago, but nothing has changed in their lives. 

Still completely naked. They took it as some incantation. I am sure that wasn’t the intent of the person who asked them to pray. But, for the one who prayed that, let me say this to you: you can talk to Jesus right now and mean it in your heart. You can respond to His offer of forgiveness and allow Him to become the One who runs your life. Talk to Him now. Come be on our side. I pray you do! Then get ready to build your armor and prepare for a battle.

It’s the only way to get the armor in the first place. The enemy does not like that we pray, and that we talk to Jesus. That is an understatement. 

Important side note: you really need to talk to a more mature believer, a follower of Christ, who you know in a local church who will help you move forward as you grow in your faith. Wandering alone in life without others is an impossible battle to win. You will get taken out. You need others! This is a team sport. Paul ends this passage with prayer for himself and all the saints. You have the protection of others who are building their armor, too. Without it, you’re lunch for the worst predator of all time. 

            We have to know our armor and grow into our armor.

For those of us who have known Christ for a while, including me, we may not have known how to develop or wear the armor.  It remained an illustration for years. It was new knowledge to me when I realized that each piece should change and grow in its understanding, intensity, and usage. 

·      Jesus IS our salvation. 

·      Jesus IS who we believe and have faith in. 

·      Jesus IS our righteousness. 

·      Jesus IS truth. 

·      Jesus IS peace. 

·      Jesus IS the Word made flesh—and all pieces increase. 

·      Jesus IS our covering and our example, and all parts of the armor of God for us. 

How well do we know the parts? How deeply do we believe them? How often do we grow in what we know? I’m afraid that most of us have tepid answers for these questions. P. 19 Tiny Armor