On account of this, take up the full armor of God.” On account of the formidable cosmic evil powers, possessing superhuman power and strength that are pitted against us as believers, Paul emphasizes the urgent need using the imperative form of the word, saying that we MUST put on the armor of God if we want to survive. The armor of God was worn by God first and foremost—Jesus is our model who lived the perfect life, and only by emulating Him can this armor of light really fit us, and protect us against Satan’s onslaught. He didn’t resort to using worldly methods, and neither can we. We must fight and stand firm against Satan only in the strength that comes from the victory that Christ has already won for us, and is designed to protect us against the onslaughts of the devil and his hosts. Now, Paul gives us the reason:
“in order that you may be able to resist in the evil day.” Paul says that we put on the full armor of God “to set against, stand against, withstand,” in battle. In the Septuagint it Hebrew words, meaning “to make a stand, hold one’s ground” in a military context and means “to stand against, oppose, resist.” Since we’re talking about preparing for battle, the idea “to resist, withstand, stand one’s ground” denotes a defensive rather than an offensive stance.
in the evil day–Paul uses this phrase, knowing that evil days, some even crushing, horrible circumstances are going to come into each life. Some people present Christianity as if once we are saved, all of our problems just go away, we suddenly become pain-free and prosperous. But, if we haven’t been prepared that evil days will come, then we won’t be prepared, we won’t put on our armor, and our faith is going to fail. True Christianity is filled with warnings that trials and tribulations will come. For instance 1 Peter 4:12-13 warns us to not be caught off-guard saying 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed Jesus has gained the victory through His death, burial, and resurrection, and has boundless power to help us. The trials are not to crush us, but to strengthen us through resistance, like a muscle. There are reasons that the fiery trials come. If every day was a cake-walk for Christians, then we would have no witness to the world. They would not be able to related, because the life that they know is difficult, and sometimes crushing. So, when they see broken, hurt Christians walk through our lives in faith, then the light of Jesus shines forth from within us through the cracks. Paul picks this up in 2 Cor 4:7-11 7 But we have this treasure in earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. But in order to shine forth as a witness for Christ, we have to be prepared for the evil day, no matter which day it comes, because in each of our lives there will be times of intense spiritual conflict, trials and not only for everyday evils but for the times of heightened and unexpected spiritual battles. The victory is ours, because: 1 John 4:4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
and having done everything, to stand– Now, since Paul emphasizes the word stand, sometimes people think that this means to “stand around and do nothing” instead of stand firm in battle. These are two very different things! Battle is very different from nothing in terms of intensity, risk, fear, even terror to the unprepared. So, says “to achieve, accomplish, do” Not do nothing, do everything to stand. Since life for us as Christians is a spiritual warfare, with the enemy launching different attacks in the form of temptations, persecutions, or external pressures to compromise and be accepted by the world’s system, we must be prepared, and on alert at all times. 1 Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. It is foolish to camp out in the den of a lion, or a bear, because sooner or later that beast is going to come back and attack you. Similarly, it is foolish for a Christian to put him or herself in situations where temptation and trial are a certainty. If you know that you have a problem or struggle with sin in a certain area, then stay away from the triggers, or temptations. The enemy is continually trying to trap us in bitterness against those who we think have wronged us, disturbing our peace. But instead Heb 12:14 says 14 Pursue peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; This bitterness and resentment is indeed the Bait of Satan , and if we go for the bait, he can use it to trap us and destroy us.
6:14 “Stand therefore”-Paur reiterates to “Stand therefore”, holding our ground and not to retreat in the face of wicked spiritual leaders led by the devil.
having girded your waists with truth,“having girded your waists with truth.” This is the first in the series of participles describing the articles of equipment the soldier needs for the conflict. From the earliest of times these words signified girding or binding something around the waist, whether a girdle, belt, or apron. It means “to gird” or put on. We are instructed to gird “waist, loins,” the middle part of the body where a belt is worn. It is the central piece of the armor in the sense that it holds it all together. In ancient militaries, it’s where the sheath of the sword, and other equipment hangs from. In modern militaries items like web gear are like a belt with suspenders to carry the additional weight, and it’s where canteens, knives, ammunition, sidearms, medical packs, and other things are carried. It binds things together. It’s from where we get the idea of integrity—that consistency of singular goal and action toward Christ which holds us together. That’s why in 1 Pet 1:13 we are told to gird up the mind when he’s urging us to walk with integrity. 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” It’s worth remembering that not only does the belt of truth hold us together in integrity, the middle of us is the source of descendants, and so our choices with regard to following the truth have long-lasting ramifications. The word “truth” has the basic idea of reality that is reliable and trustworthy as opposed to that which is false. Believers have girded our waists with God’s objective truth of the Gospel, which in turn has become a part of us. This enables us to be reliable and faithful as God is reliable and faithful. This piece of armor is basic to all other pieces because truth and trustworthiness are basic to all the other qualities that believers need in order to withstand diabolical attacks. As we internalize God’s truth they live and move in it.