The Chink in Your Armor

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I've written quite a bit recently about my increasing awareness of the heavy-duty spiritual battle that wages around us on a daily basis.  The need we have to fight, not against our kids, but FOR them in prayer.  The need we have to pray for every one of our family members such that no one is left behind and misses the life-saving truth of the Gospel.

Recently, I have delved deeper into the the biblical concept of spiritual armor and all of its six components (belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit, shield of faith, and the sandals of peace) and the seventh component, prayer, that activates it all (see Ephesians 6 below).  However, it is crucial for us as students of God's Word to consider the greater context within which a particular passage lies.  You see, to best understand chapter six of Ephesians, we must venture backwards and delve deeper into chapter five.

I liken it to this: when my husband got down on one knee, over a decade ago, and asked for my hand in marriage, he did not simply hand me a gemstone, as gorgeous as that diamond was!  Instead, he gave me a diamond that was encased in a beautiful setting.  As such, I could enjoy every facet of that sparkling gemstone as the light danced on all it's glorious surfaces.  In a similar way, we see the true beauty and depth of God's Word when we study it within it's unique context and setting.  (And never forget that verses and chapters were a later addition to God's Word--we should never treat them as boundaries for spiritual topics and truths!)

And so, as we look at the passages which precede the spiritual armor of God, we see the exhortation for children to obey their parents (Eph 6:1-4), for wives to submit to their husbands, and for husbands to love their wives (Eph 5:22-33).

And suddenly, we are compelled to honestly evaluate our most intimate relationships.  Are the relationships within our homes in line with the Word of God?  And if not, do we not see that these relationships can directly impact our vulerability to Satan's attacks?!  As we are disrespecting our husbands in matters of finances, wives, we might also be setting ourselves up to be a vulernable target for Satan's fiery arrows of self-doubt and worry.  Or as you fail to not love your wives and lay yourselves down for her, husbands, you might be opening yourself up to being defeated in areas of temptation by the evil one.

So, dear friend, let us all soberly consider our closest relationships within our homes in light of Ephesians chapter five, so we may live in the fullness of spiritual victory over Satan's schemes as we wield the armor of God of chapter six!

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints"  (Ephesians 6:10-18, ESV)

**To learn more about the spiritual armor of God, I'd highly recommend this resource by Priscilla Shirer