Armour-Going equipped

“Going equipped” in criminal law refers to a suspect having on their person items which could be used to steal.  A burglar carries his “tools of the trade” to allow him to break into a house to remove the owner’s goods.  Not a commendable occupation, of course, and it is his very preparedness for his trade which makes him arrestable!

The soldier on active duty, whom this passage uses as a metaphor, needed to “go equipped” with all his armour and weapons to be ready for any attack by the enemy.

As workers for the Lord, we need to “go equipped” for our trade every day, because our enemy, the devil, will be waiting to catch us out, to deceive, to lie, to tempt and lead us astray.

What is our equipment?  Truth, justice, the Good News of peace, faith, God’s saving power and the Word of the Lord.  Carry these with us every day and we shall be able to defend ourselves and stand firm.  So we need to constantly study, absorb and practise our calling, hone and prepare our weapons and defences, so that we can repel enemy attacks.  

And if we fail, as from time to time we shall, “In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again.” (2 Corinthians 4:9) Therefore use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of  evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armour of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is theWord of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere."