Take Off Your Armour
by Philip Asselin
The passage in Ephesians 6:10-18 is well known. If we really want to be able to take our stand against our enemy the devil, then we must put on the armour of God, that is the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and carrying the sword of the Spirit. As you read the title of today`s ‘Seed’, you might have been thinking, “What is he talking about?” The message this morning is to make sure you aren’t wearing your own armour instead of God’s. If you are, then you need to take it off, urgently.
You wouldn’t think of trying to put two pairs of shoes on, or two hats, or to carry two swords in your hand. It would be silly to think of doing so, and ridiculous to see anyone wearing two sets of clothes. The fact of the matter is that, when faced with two sets of ‘armour’, we have to decide which one we want to wear. We can’t wear both, because one will get in the way of the other.
When it comes to the spiritual armour of Ephesians 6, we need to think carefully if we have already put on our own armour, leaving no room for God’s. What do I mean? Well, are you already wearing your own belt of truth? Is it the truth you have chosen to believe about God and His word and what it tells you about His love for you?
Are you wearing your own breastplate of righteousness; believing that your ‘good-living’ is enough to put you right with God? Are you wearing your own shield of faith, expecting faith in your own capabilities in yourself will be enough to protect you from the devil’s attacks? Or are you carrying your own sword for protection, believing you are well able to carry the battle to the enemy by yourself.
The truth is that our own armour is woefully inadequate for the task we face as believers each day. We must take it off before we can really put on God’s. It isn’t a case of mix and match, a few bits of mine linked to some of His. Ephesians 6:11 makes that clear. Paul tells us to put on the full armour of God. All of ours needs to go, and all of His needs to take its place. Today, stop for a while and ask God what armour you might be wearing. Could there be bits of your own which have somehow replaced God’s? If so, then choose to take them off and put on God’s. His are tailor made, just for you.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the armour You have provided for me. Please show me, by Your Spirit, if I am wearing my own armour. If I am, please help me, by Your grace, to take it off and choose to put Yours on instead. I realise that only then can I be fully protected and able to stand against the devil’s schemes. Amen.
Philip Asselin Philip is on the associate ministry and teaching teams with Glyndley Manor. He and his wife Gillian attended the second Healing Retreat at Glyndley Manor in 1992, and were greatly helped. They have two grown up children, one grandson, and a step-granddaughter in California, and a daughter and granddaughter in Eastbourne. His desire is to see people healed and set free to serve God.
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