Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. (Ephesians 6:13-18 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Armor Up
In an old Space Opera, the hero is about to face down the evil aliens. As he goes through the airlock, he pauses and buckles on his nifty ray-gun.
His sidekick mocks him. “Why the hardware? I thought you weren’t afraid?”
The hero answers with clenched teeth, “It is because I am NOT afraid that I take my gun. If I were afraid, I wouldn’t dare DO anything at all!”
Even if we are not afraid, evil is tough to withstand. But we have better weaponry than a ray-gun. Paul describes our defenses as the armor of God. Because we are not cowering in fear or frozen in terror, we strap on our armor. Because we know it is the armor OF GOD, because we know it is JESUS in charge, because we know that Christ already bought the victory, now we can stand firm.
Believing and speaking truth.
Protected by Christ’s righteousness.
Standing on the peace of the gospel.
Faith between us and God’s enemies.
Guarded by salvation itself.
Not using our own thoughts, but the Word of God.
Fear not, then armor up.