Today’s devotion comes from Ephesians 6:10-17.
“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-17.
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How do we “be strong in the Lord”? How do we “Put on the full armor of God”? How do we “take up the full armor of God”?
Today’s Scripture gives us clues as to how we put on each piece of the armor to be strong in the Lord. It helps to go in reverse order, starting with the last piece, the sword of the Spirit.
The sword of the Spirit is the word of God, so we take up the sword by reading and meditating on God’s Word. We also take up the sword by hearing good preaching and teaching. We also take up the sword by obeying and abiding in God’s word. “I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” 1 John 2:14 “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
THE HELMET OF SALVATION protects the most important part of the body which is the head. In boxing, the boxer constantly holds his fists in front of his head to protect his head. Accordingly, we hold up the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, “TULIP”, the Five Points of Salvation, in front of our minds. “The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20.
The shield of faith can “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” By faith, we believe all the promises of God and do not listen to the lies of the devil. We “are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:5. “The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.” Psalm 121:7 “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 “He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” Psalm 91:4
THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE is our shoes. We walk in them and on them. We walk in peace. “How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7
THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS protects our heart but is also part of our clothing. “Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless, But wickedness subverts the sinner.” Proverbs 13:6 “He put on righteousness like a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.” Isaiah 59:17 “I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10
HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH is a process where loose clothing is cinched up tight against the body like with a belt. It allows one to walk or run without tripping over that excess loose clothing. We may have many thoughts which come to mind, some of them are bad but some of them are good, but we still need them compressed into manageable sound doctrine. Reformed creeds cinch up loose random thoughts into tight truth to help us”… lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and … run with endurance the race that is set before us”. Hebrews 12:1. . “[A Good Minister’s Discipline] In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.” 1 Timothy 4:6
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 