Text: Ephesians 6:10-20
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” —Ephesians 6:11
A woman was struggling with depression and a sense of defeat. She went to bed one night feeling powerless and alone. As she lay on her pillow, a still small voice hinted: You’re not alone, you know? I’m always with you. “I know You live in my heart,” she said, “but I’m such a poor and flawed representative.” Tossing and turning, she remembered a sweet southern drawl from many years ago—it was her friend’s mother as she said: “Well of course you’re feeling defeated, darlin’—you’re goin’ into battle nekked!”
Do you ever feel that way? Nekked, overwhelmed, and inadequate—overmatched by the enemy?
That southern drawl was referring to Ephesians 6, where Paul talks about spiritual warfare and putting on the full armor of God.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” —Ephesians 6:10-13
Paul, writing this while in the custody of Roman soldiers, goes on to describe what that armor looks like from head to toe—the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes made ready by the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. This imagery conveys how the word of God and prayer work together to clothe us for every spiritual battle.
One thing that has always stood out from this passage is that there is no armor listed for the backside. God never intended for his children to run from the battle, only to be rightly equipped to face the tussle.
As that discouraged woman revisited this passage and walked through it slowly, it urged her to fight the enemy one verse—even one word—at a time. She took a spiritual sword in her hand and began to push back on the enemy by speaking God’s Word over every thought, every emotion, every circumstance, and every minute detail of her life. The battle didn’t end that night, but what did happen is she put on the right armor—she stopped fighting naked!
When the enemy of your soul picks a fight with you, beloved, don’t go into that confrontation naked. Clothe yourself in the right armor and speak Scripture into those circumstances—even using your best southern drawl if you must. Just remember it’s not the accent that makes the enemy tremble, it’s the authority of God’s Word that brings him to his knees—always.
PRAYER
Dear God, it can be quite vulnerable to feel so overmatched at times. Help me to remember that you never intended that I run from the enemy, but for me to be equipped for every spiritual battle. Teach me what it looks like each day to clothe myself in this battle armor and to face the struggle with the sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Reflection and/or Family Discussion:
- When was the last time you felt defeated by life or overmatched by the enemy?
- Why do you think Paul used the detailed description of a Roman soldier’s armor to explain spiritual warfare?
- What does being “dressed for battle” mean to you, or look like in your life?
- What can Christians dressed in the full armor of God expect? (Ephesians 6:13)
- How can you lean on the Holy Spirit’s help in doing battle for the kingdom of God each day?
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