Protective Padding

Protective Padding

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world. . . . Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Ephesians 6:11-13

I’m sure you’ve seen photos of early football players wearing those distinctive leather helmets. We’ve certainly come a long way since then with football gear, that’s for sure. Today, coaches wouldn’t send their players out on the football field without protective pads or helmets. Some players are wearing less padding these days, but there are some pieces of equipment no one would go without. The helmet falls into that must-have category, especially with all of the recent concussion incidents that have occurred. The big pieces of equipment seem obvious, but the small ones can make a big difference too. I’ve learned that mouthpieces can play a huge role in eliminating or mitigating concussions. I believe in the importance of protective gear.

But more important than protective sports equipment is the spiritual armor that Paul describes in detail in Ephesians 6:10-18—armor to prepare us for the spiritual battle we’re engaged in each and every day.

I have a friend who says he began to believe that spiritual warfare was real after he read Frank Peretti’s books This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness.

These novels, written decades ago, recount human heroes and villains caught up in a spiritual battle between the angels of heaven and the demons of hell. It’s sobering to think that what is depicted is actually going on in our world, the heavens, and within us. We are engaged in a monumental battle for our souls between the forces of good, with God in command, and the forces of evil under Satan’s power.

No wonder we need the full-body armor of God: the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness (v. 14); shoes of peace (v. 15); the shield of faith (v. 16); the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (v. 17). Once outfitted, Paul says to pray constantly, staying alert and persistent.

The good news is that in the very end, God wins. But we have work to do for Him in the meantime.

Uncommon Key > Read the entire passage (Ephesians 6:10-18) describing the spiritual armor God has set aside for you. It’s true that you’re in the midst of a titanic spiritual struggle, but the power of the devil is no match for the power of God.