"Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11 The concept of "putting on" implies a sense of lasting commitment, suggesting that armor should be the enduring and constant attire of a Christian. In essence, a follower of Christ should integrate their armor into every aspect of their life, just as one would with eating, drinking, and sleeping. Paul draws a parallel between the typical armor worn by Roman soldiers and the spiritual defense required by believers, emphasizing its essential nature for maintaining one's position amidst spiritual attacks. To tap into the strength provided by God, a believer must fully equip themselves with the spiritual armor He provides (2 Cor. 10:3-5). The notion of "putting on" signifies a one-time and permanent action. The armor of God is not to be donned and discarded at will but is meant to be worn continuously. It should be the lifelong companion of every Christian, offering divine empowerment from "Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy" (Jude 24).
Moreover, the term "Put on" conveys a sense of urgency, requiring immediate action. The term "To stand" carries military connotations, originating from classical Greek where it meant to withstand the enemy and maintain a crucial position in battle. When referring to "the wiles of the devil" or "the Devil’s strategy," it signifies Satan's deliberate planning of schemes and tactics against believers. The term "Wiles" or schemes, in Greek, implies cleverness, craftiness, cunning, and deception. Satan's strategies are disseminated through the corrupt world system under his dominion and executed by his demon followers. "Wiles" encompass all forms of sin, immoral behavior, false doctrines, erroneous religions, and worldly allurements. The term "Schemes" conveys the notion of craftiness, cunning, and deception, often likened to a predatory animal stealthily tracking and ambushing its prey. Satan's deceitful schemes are rooted in secrecy and trickery. Many Christians are unaware of the spiritual warfare they are engaged in. As soldiers in God's army, the primary battle lies between the flesh and the spirit, with the soul or will of man as the ultimate prize. Paul, while chained to a soldier, drew inspiration from the soldier's attire as a metaphor for the spiritual armor required in God's army.
The scripture passage mentions the devil as "the anointed cherub" (Ezek. 28:14), "the ruler of the demons" (Luke 11:15), "the god of this world" (2 Cor. 4:4), and "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2). The devil is depicted in Scripture as opposing God's work (Zech. 3:1), distorting God's Word (Matt. 4:6), obstructing God's servant (1 Thess. 2:18), impeding the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4), ensnaring the righteous (1 Thess. 3:7), and exerting control over the world (1 John 5:19). This fallen archangel and his demons have been tempting and corrupting humanity since the Fall. They are a powerful, cunning, and invisible adversary against whom humans are powerless. We are engaged in daily spiritual warfare against the devil and his minions. Life is a battleground, requiring preparation for the fight. Jesus overcame the devil with the Word of God. Our strength lies in the Lord and His Word (the Bible). Despite God's deliverance and blessings, the Israelites repeatedly succumbed to Satan's temptations, worshiping the hideous and demonic idols of paganism. Despite the prophecies of the Messiah and Jesus' teachings and miracles, Satan influenced Israel to reject and crucify their Messiah. In the end times, Satan's ultimate deception will lead Israel to mistake the antichrist for the true Christ (Dan. 9:26-27).
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