Man Challenge Monday: The Armor (Week 1)

Introduction

Man Challenge Monday is back! For the next few weeks we are going to discuss one of my favorite Bible passages: Ephesians 6:11-18! I love this passage and have always found it to be quite manly. I mean what guy doesn't like to think of himself as a soldier putting on armor? Having been raised a Marine Corp. brat, I also have always been infatuated with modern soldiers and such.

Considering the above, it will probably not surprise you that I am going to challenge all men to put on the Modern Armor of God! We don't use swords and chain mail anymore, so I am going to put a modern spin on this great passage! Sometimes it is difficult to understand the Armor of God. How do you put it on? What are some of the parts? Maybe as we go through this passage we can all walk away with a better understanding of the tools God has given us!

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. -Ephesians 6:11-13

Doesn't that just get you all worked up! God has called us to arm ourselves and fight against an enemy stronger than any man! He has called us to struggle with ideas and demons! Against Satan himself! We are called to the most intense battlefield ever seen! That should also be scary! Because truthfully it is! It is terrifying! We are obviously outmatched and outnumbered! But then God goes on to give us tools to fight with!

We are commanded to put on the whole armor of God! We are headed into an evil day! When I think of an evil day I think of a day of hard battle and heavy losses. I imagine a soldier turning to his comrade in a blood soaked uniform, with a hot rifle in his hand and a body by his side, and telling him, "This was truly an evil day". Truth is, every single day Christians are fighting. We have to fight to defeat sin and fight to grow the Kingdom of God. Some days may be better than others. But there will always be "evil" days. 

We may face persecution. We could, one day, be jailed for our Faith. We will lose friends and opportunities due to our Faith. We will be broken down by our battle with sin in our own lives. We will wonder if victory is possible. These days will break us down physically, mentally, and emotionally. But God has more power and has offered us tools to fight with!

Week 1

For the first week in this series we will discuss the Belt of Truth:

 Stand therefore, having your lions gird about with truth.... -Ephesians 6:14 (partial)

In order to protect ourselves from the Devil's attacks, we are first commanded to put on the Belt of Truth. To us, a belt is just a tool to keep people from seeing our undergarments. To a soldier it is a way to carry the tools he needs to survive. To God's soldier it is not any different. We are to uphold truth always and let truth uphold us!

Putting on the Belt of Truth can mean two things. Firstly, the Belt of Truth may be donned by being truthful! Lying is a sin and, while any sin undermines our strength, lying is exceptionally self defeating! Much like a belt keeps us from being embarrassed, the Belt of Truth keeps us from being "caught with our pants down". Lying is shameful, and getting caught in a lie can definitely be embarrassing (not to mention people don't trust a liar). But a belt to a soldier is so much more important! He places his secondary weapon, his ammunition, and his tools all on his belt! If his belt is not strong he could lose this life saving equipment! So what else, but truth, could be used as a foundation to build upon?

Putting on the Belt of Truth can also mean the Truth of God! We live by God's Truth! His Truth is salvation through Jesus Christ! His saving Grace and forgiveness! This has to be the ultimate foundation to put our other tools on! His Truth is what sets us free. His Truth breaks chains and redeems souls! Before a soldier can join in the fight he has to be free to fight! The Truth of God is what sets us free!

So, today, put on the Belt of Truth! Always act and be honest! Let truth carry your tools. Fight for the Kingdom of God knowing that you are free by His Truth! Accept and embrace the Truth!

God bless!