Time to Suit Up

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Eph 6:11).

Check this out.  It’s the most advanced weapon system the universe has ever seen.  And God designed it just for you.  It’s a custom fit exoskeleton.  It makes Iron Man look like he’s wrapped in aluminum foil.  This suit of armor has everything you’ll need.  Batman’s utility belt is filled with garage sale rejects compared to this.  Molded to your specifications.  Paul invites you to try it on.  “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (v11).  We need to go ahead and suit up because we’re going to need it.  Our enemy is planning his next ambush.  And God’s armor is just what we need.

Paul wastes no time in telling us to get on our God-given gear.  The verb here is “put on” (Gr. enduo).  It means to dress, clothe or wear a piece of clothing.  It literally means “to sink into.”  This is a common way to describe being “in Christ,” an idea that Paul uses at least 28 times in Ephesians.  Earlier in this same letter, Paul told us to “put on (Gr. enduo) the new self” as understand the reality of our salvation in Jesus (Eph 4:24).  And whatever is found in this thing called God’s armor, it’s loaded with supernatural, Spirit-filled strength.  Just before He headed home to heaven, Jesus said to His followers to hang out in Jerusalem “until you are clothed (Gr. enduo) with power from on high” (Lk 24:49).  Don’t waste any more time.  Get ready.  Put it on.  

Time to suit up.

So what exactly is this piece of gear Paul’s describing?  It’s the “full armor of God” (v11).  In other words, this isn’t some incomplete, thrown together Franken-armor pulled together from spare parts.  The Greek word panoplia describes the total package of equipment worn by a foot soldier in battle.  A warrior isn’t ready until he’s got a full set of both offensive weapons and defensive protection.  This weapon system God provides has absolutely everything you’ll need for what’s ahead.  

MacArthur believes Paul’s language here talks about making God’s armor a permanent part of our wardrobe.  As long as we’re on this side of eternity, we’re going to need it.  We’re always going to come under attack.  That certainly makes sense when you understand the bigger picture of the situation in Ephesus.  There’s a false teaching that blindsided believers in the multisite church of Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis.  A team of spiritual hucksters have fooled Jesus’ followers into thinking they are responsible for finishing the job of salvation that the Lord started.  They’ve provided a list of rules that the Colossians gotta do.  Call it the “gotta” gospel.  After writing a letter to those churches to get them back on the rails, the apostle jots down another to the Ephesians.  You see, Ephesus is just 100 miles down the road.  They need to be warned about this false gospel.  They need to be protected from this false gospel.  And God’s armor is just the tool for the job.

Time to suit up.

We need this supernatural weapons system to “be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (v11).  Our enemy has set his satanic sights on God’s people from the very beginning.  Before the paint was dry in Eden, he was there to whisper in Eve’s ear (Gen 3:1-7).  The devil continues to stalk us like prey as he “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1Pet 5:8).  But we need to remember that while Satan is dangerous, he’s already defeated.  He is NOT equal to God.  Jesus punched our enemy in the throat with Calvary’s cross (Heb 2:14).  And God allowed John a sneak preview of what will be the biggest rout in the history when he saw Satan and his boys take an eternal swim in the lake of fire (Rev 20:10).  

That doesn’t mean the devil still isn’t dangerous.  He can still do serious harm if we’re not careful.  The key to withstanding his sneak attacks is wearing God’s armor.  Only then will we “be able to stand” (v11).  You can literally translate this phrase as “have the power to stand.”  Paul packs the previous verse with power.  “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Eph 6:10 emphasis added).  This supernatural weapon system is useless without His supernatural power supply.  Because we’re on the receiving end of God’s strength, we have all the power we need for the attack that is to come.  That will enable you and me to hold our position when (not if) Satan strikes.

Time to suit up.

Paul wants us to know right up front that when the enemy begins his assault, it will be a sneak attack.  The devil is a conniving rascal who will use every trick in his book, or what the apostle calls “schemes” (v11).  This is the Greek word methodia.  It means cunning.  Deceit.  Trickery.  In other words, expect an ambush.  Expect him to attack out of nowhere.  Expect him to use terrorist tactics.  Be on high alert.  Also know that our enemy is no fool.  He’s cunning and knows our weak spots.  But once we put on God’s weapon system, we’re fully protected and able to withstand anything Satan can throw at us.

Time to suit up.

You need to know that Paul isn’t making up this idea of the armor of God because he’s been locked up in jail too long.  This isn’t some crazy idea of a delirious prisoner.  Several hundred years before, the prophet Isaiah saw a vision of God’s long awaited Messiah who was dressed for war.  “He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance for clothing and wrapped Himself in zeal as a cloak” (Is 59:17).  The apostle reminds his Thessalonian friends that they’ve already “put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation” (1Th 5:8).  He encourages the Ephesian believers to put on their godly gear.  “Put on the whole armor of God” (v11).

Time to suit up.