Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Eph. 6:11)
Expanded Passage: Ephesians 6:11
Michael Jordan is arguably one of the best professional basketball players to ever play the game; some consider him to have been the best. His success is known worldwide, and his name is regularly brought up in the debate of who is the greatest of all time. His ability to win championships and be the best came from his preparation, practice, and training. In an interview, Michael Jordan said, “Every day in practice was like that to me, it was a competition. So, when the game comes, there’s nothing that I haven’t already practiced. It’s just a routine. Whatever happens in the game now, okay, I’ve done this before.”
Paul is encouraging the church to get ready and be prepared. The church in Paul’s time was in a spiritual war, and we are still fighting that war today. Paul wants us to be ready for the spiritual battle. He is introducing us to the necessary equipment for the fight in order for us to be victorious. Paul understood, as Peter did, that our enemy “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). It’s time for every Christian to put on the armor of God. Don’t wait for the heat of battle. Get ready today, so when the roaring lion appears you will be able to stand, with God’s strength, against the devil’s schemes.
Consider how you can put on the armor of God.
Andrew Christman is a proud veteran of the US Army and serves as a hospital chaplain in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Wesley Seminary (IN) and an ordained Wesleyan pastor.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
