Ephesians 6:13 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and after having done all, to stand.
Since we know we are in a spiritual battle, we must prepare ourselves. Soldiers do not go out to fight unprepared, otherwise, they will lose. Paul gives another command that shows how the readers can equip themselves for their battle against the forces of evil listed in verse 12. We need to take up the whole armor and not leave some pieces behind. If we are not equipped well, we will not win the battle. One of the most important aspects of fighting in a war is the logistics. The soldiers must be equipped, fed, rested, and inspired in order to win the battle. If we are not equipped with God’s strength, we will be fighting in this evil world by our own resources. We may win a few skirmishes, but we will not win the war.
This battle is not dualism, between two equal forces of good and evil. God is clearly sovereign and in control. We are on the winning side. This may be difficult to see sometimes when we are in the midst of struggle. The war is not something far into the future in the distant past but something we face even every day in many diverse forms and experiences. As long as we are in this world, we will have trouble. Jesus told his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Isolation from other people will not protect us from doubts, fears, and our internal battles. We need one another to win this battle. Engagement in the world may be difficult, but with God on our side, we can live with confidence and hope.
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