Wearing Your Armor
Wearing Your Armor
I have several prayer books in my large stash that recommend that I “pray on” my armor every day. What that means exactly seems to be different for each author. Then I have heard a few people recommending that you never take it off to begin with! I like that idea better but then it begs the question, “How do I take off my armor?”. No one in their right Christian mind would take it off intentionally, or would they?
What is the Christian’s armor?
10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. [11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] 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]. [13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; [15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: [18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Eph 6:10-18 KJV)There are a couple of other scriptures that mention the armor briefly but this in the main passage in question. Here we have mentioned the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit and then rounding it all out with prayer.
Similarities in meaning
One thing that most authors seem to agree on is that every piece of armor is contained within the person of Jesus, so for some people praying on the armor is putting on the Lord Jesus through praying in faith. In other words, Jesus is our righteousness, Jesus is our peace, Jesus is the truth, Jesus is our salvation etc. so if you “pray on” Jesus, you are praying on all of these attributes as well. This is at least partly true but I think there is another meaning here that applies to not taking off our armor. Or in other words, how would you then “take off” Jesus?
The key here is the character of Jesus Christ
Stay with me here. If I “put on” the girdle of truth by speaking the truth and believing the truth (are you with me? this is my alternative meaning for putting on the armor) then I would be “taking off ” the armor when I lied or deceived someone or believed a lie. If that is when I “take off” the girdle of truth then I do not need to pray on the armor every day but only if and when I lie, deceive or believe a lie! The logical conclusion here is that, since those are sins, we would have to confess and repent as the way we prayed the armor back on.
We can apply this same logic to each piece of the armor.
If I live in a way that is not righteous and sin against God’s holiness then I am taking off my breastplate of righteousness. In order to put back on my breastplate of righteousness I would have to pray a prayer of confession and repentance for the sin(s).
Every item of the armor is not as clear cut as these but this basic premise can apply to every piece. I’ll let you figure out the rest on your own.
Let us resolve together to not take our armor off by sinning against God’s holy character. Are you with me? Is so, post your commitment in the comment section below.