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I wanted to try and encourage my beloved brethren this week with this exhortation in the epistle of the Ephesians that instructs us to "put on the armor of God". I have heard some who advocate that Christians should not be "militant". The language here in Ephesians tells us otherwise. However, we must be militant in love and kindness; not being ashamed of the gospel of Christ and wanting the best for all men, which is that they may become saved by the grace of the LORD.
Here in Ephesians we are told to "be strong in the LORD". We are likewise told in 1 Corinthians:
"Watch! Stand fast in the faith! Be men! Be strong! Let all your things be in love." - 1 Corinthians 16:13,14 litv.
Strength in the LORD is always a good thing to pray for because as we carry our crosses in life with our eyes upon Christ, we will often suffer affliction:
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. - 2 Timothy 3:10-17.
Verse 11 of Ephesians 6 goes on to tell us how to be strong in the LORD -- by putting on the whole armor of God. Not part, but the whole armor. Romans 13:12 is a divine cross reference of Ephesians 6:11a; there Paul parallels the term "armor of God" as "armor of light":
"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." - Romans 13:11-14.
From Romans 13 we see that the expression "put on the full armor of God" identifies with or can be identified with: "putting on Christ". And this is the very nature of being a Christian, putting on Christ or living a Christ - like life.
Now the thought further develops, and we ask: "why put on the full armor of God?" And again, the Bible gives its own divine interpretation and answer: "that we may be able to stand firm against the wiles of the devil".
Wiles is another way of saying "schemes"; the devil is a deceitful schemer. The word "wiles" here in Ephesians 6:11 is: Strong's Number: 3180. From the original Greek word "Methodeia". Noun Feminine. This Greek is only used one other place in the New Testament, also in Ephesians, in chapter 4 where we read this most excellent verse:
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" - Ephesians 4:14.
The word translated "wiles" in Ephesians 6:11 is translated "lie in wait" in Ephesians 4:14. Now the definition of this Greek word "Methodeia" is: "cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery".
How interesting is this definition in our day? So many, many "crafty" false prophets out there who carry with them a "twisted scripture bag"; abusing verses, ignoring what they say, then re-tailoring them to fit their own private interpretation:
"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." - 2 Peter 1:19,20.
In Revelation 18, the inspired John warned that the holy whore of Babylon will FEATURE "craftsmen"; excelling at deceit:
"And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;" - Revelation 18:21,22.
In Revelation 18:22, "craftsmen" is the Greek: Techne. The word relates to being an artificer (artificial); a builder (building their own person false doctrine upon the word of God); or occupation (those who seek or solicit money when bringing the gospel).
"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." - Ephesians 6:12.
In summary, what we have in these verses is an exhortation to be strong in the LORD, to put on Christ, stay close to the Word and to those in whom we see Christ because there are many crafty false prophets out there in the world. Our struggle is against the forces of darkness; let us overcome the darkness through the precious saving blood of Christ fellow soilder:
"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." - Colossians 1:14-17.
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