Able to withstand. Ephesians 6:13. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” The armor of God is meant to protect all vulnerable points so that none of the enemy's dangerous tools find a way to mark or wound the soldier in this earthly battle. It is in our best interest to stay in step with all the soldiers of the cross, lest we find ourselves alone and fall, wounded by the fiery darts of the evil foe. It is not enough to just take on one piece and think that will stop the devil's attacks, as he is determined to take down everyone striving for the heavenly crown.
Putting on the armor of God is both an attitude and an action of faith. The reassurance to us is that we can be victorious through God’s power and provision. This spiritual armor becomes real to us when we present our bodies to the Lord as a living sacrifice. When that is done in reality, our minds grow in the knowledge of the Lord, and our hearts are drawn to Him in love. Our bodies are still earthbound and require constant and divine protection.
The armor of God is always available. However, I must wear the entire armor at once. To stand, even when alone, I must equip myself with each piece of armor. The reason for wearing it is that attacks will come; there is no question. Before we reach home, the enemy will, with relentless hate, attack again—whether early or late in life. He will use his power to try to turn us away from the Truth and the Life. When we have the armor of God and the sword in our hands, each of us will be able, having done all, to stand.
Withstanding doesn’t mean we give in when the battles around and before us press against us with strong temptations. The forces of evil will always try to make us do wrong. It means that we must rise and resist the pressures that always persist when we seek to do His will more fully. We must put on the complete armor in every situation. Evil days are already here. We do not have to wait to see if times worsen each day. It isn’t enough to avoid dealing with the affairs of the world system when we stay separate from it or when we flee youthful lusts that war against the soul. We also have to confront the devil by putting on the armor. It is complete and sufficient when we have it on. To withstand his attacks is essential because wherever we turn, there are battle tactics to learn in advance if we want to be victorious. Let each of us take the whole armor of God and not hesitate.
In every area of Christian life, there must be a sense of separation from the world, symbolized by the "Gospel of peace." There is something about the good news of salvation that shows a child of God as someone who stands firm despite evil surrounding them. This person is not lazy or relaxing with their shoes off. This piece of armor signifies readiness to move forward in faith despite the difficult situations we face. The uneven ground beneath does not hinder those whose feet are well shod. Readiness and firmness may seem subtle, but they are essential when fighting to protect one's home.
Faith is connected to that as well. Whether defending or advancing, the Gospel and faith are crucial. There will always be arrows of doubt, temptation, scorn, and abuse of various kinds. One of the most difficult arrows is verbal abuse. When goodness and helpfulness are met with complaints and hostility, those arrows can seriously harm someone who has let go of the shield of faith even for a moment. Arrows come swiftly and relentlessly like bullets, seeking a way to bypass the armor.
Despite what happens around us, we must stay confident in God. A living trust in God's promises and power helps us personally, and when combined with the faith of others, it can create a protective wall of safety. That is how we keep the unity of faith. Those fiery darts can ignite the inner man. In faith, we must depend on God and stand firm.