After establishing the concept of submission to each other (5.216.9), Paul tells us to submit to God. Verses 10 and 11 exhort us to be "strong in the Lord" so that we can stand against Satans plan. In verse 12 Paul identifies the our foes by name and rank. After defining the enemy, Paul introduces us to our weapons: belt, breastplate, shield, helmet, and sword. By using these weapons against our spiritual foe, we help elevate Christ's headship on earth and in our life. In this way we are submissive to God and honor our spiritual Father.

The literary vehicle Paul uses to communicate is that of allegory. The allegory begins with verse 13, and is explained by the phrase, "Therefore, put on the armor of God." Why does Paul want us to wear the armor? So that we may stand against the evil on the day it comes. What armor does God supply us with? God supplies us with Truth, Righteousness, Readiness, Salvation, the Word of God, and Prayer.

Paul communicates all of this with a sense of urgency, concern, need, and authority. Paul hopes to inspire us to action. For the last two and a half chapters Paul has tried to stimulate us to live in light of the doctrine he espoused in the first three chapters. Now his purpose isn’t so much to stimulate as much as to inspire. There is a sense of adventure in it all, we being warriors with an infectuous and couragous spirit. After all, Paul himself certainly lead a life not too unlike that of Indiana Jones. Paul was stoned and left for dead, had a physical encounter with God, traveled all around the Mediterranean world, was taken prisoner on many occasions, was shipwrecked on an island, and had spoken with the rulers of nations. In this spirit Paul writes these ten verses.

The purpose of all this is to advise Christians in the use of spiritual weapons for the exalting of Christ in their lives, and in their world. But this calling is not to the weak nor to the faint of heart, but to the fearless and to those who are "strong in the Lord and in His mighty power."

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of going up against dark spiritual forces, and while greater is he who is in than he who is in the world it isn’t a task to be taken lightly. We’ve written at length on this site about dark spirits so we won’t go into length again here. Instead we will take a moment to help prepare you for those chance encounters. I have taken a couple of the most famous passages about spiritual warfare and combined them in a prayer that I voice to God more frequently than I shave. It is taped to my bathroom mirror as a reminder to always be prepared to stand against evil. Copy and print it for yourself if you like, or write your own, only be sure that it helps you to defend yourself on evil days.

For the weapons of godly warfare are not carnal but have divine power to destroy strongholds. These weapons are: truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, salvation, the word of God and prayer.

As such, I take up the full armor of God so that I may be able to demolish arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the experiential knowledge of God and take every thought captive to make it obedient to Jesus. In doing so, on the evil day I am assured to overcome and vanquish all impurity and temptation. For my struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against strongholds of worldly powers and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Lord God, guide me into all truth. May the righteousness you imputed to me become my own. Keep me alert and ready, at peace with you always through salvation. Grow your wisdom and knowledge in me and prompt me to pray for those who need it most. Amen.

There is nothing magical in the prayer, but it does request that God provide the weapons he wants us to use and anything that is done with God’s concent and in his power will succeed. Be bold, but do not go looking for trouble. Go looking for God instead and whatever trouble comes to you will not overcome.