Be Sure to Cover Up!

It was an extremely warm August day in west Texas. We had been busy inside the house, and we did not make it outside until later in the afternoon. The temperature was at least ninety degrees. I told my four-year-old grandson that we were going to go out to walk and get a bit of exercise. In a minute, he trapsed through the garage to join me. Of all things, he had donned a crocheted beany that had been made for him by his cousin. When I saw it, I couldn’t help but laugh. I said, “Easton, it’s boiling out here, why in the world are you wearing that hat?” Here was his classic reply: “The sun is hot, and I don’t like hot on my head!” Never mind the additional warmth the cap provided; to Easton, the protection it afforded far outweighed any added discomfort it might cause.

Easton’s interest in shielding his dome, pointed me to the passage regarding God’s covering that he provides to us as written in the Book of Ephesians. It is, of course, termed “the whole armor of God.” The specifics of God’s armor are these: “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. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” (Ephesians 6:13-18, ESV). Paul begins with a “Therefore” as he clues us in regarding whom we are fighting against. It is not against “flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (from Ephesians 6:12, ESV). It is a battle we cannot win in our own strength nor with earthly means.

Many believers will actually recite this passage either as a reminder of the defense God supplies to us, or even as a petition to have God dress us for battle. Speaking it out to God and being supremely aware of our spiritual gear can be a great practice. But it seems to me there is more to it than that. It requires living a life in Christ that embraces each of the pieces of armor through the close connection we are invited to have with him. We put on the belt of truth as we immerse ourselves in the truth of his principles and ways. We don the breastplate of righteousness in the continual cleansing and renewing power of forgiveness and reconciliation, and we are clothed with his righteousness by virtue of our relationship with him. We wear the readied shoes of the gospel of peace as we give ourselves over to go as he calls us to share his story. We hold up the shield of faith as we continue to trust him and rely on him for his help and protection in every circumstance. We acquire the sword of the Spirit by reading, studying and committing to memory God’s precious word so that we can use it as a tool to promote Christ and fight the enemy in our daily spiritual battles. And we pray, not only for the cares and needs in our own lives, but also to cover the backs of our brothers and sisters in Christ that they may also have victory in their struggles. We actively participate in preparing ourselves for combat, but it is God that supplies the entire outfit for us to have great success in the ongoing war that we wage with the forces of evil.

Just as Easton was aware that he needed something to ward off that bothersome heat from the sun on his head, so too we must be mindful that we need God’s protection each day. While we can’t grab a physical hat to guard us, we have a full coat of armor to ward off all the schemes and deceit that the devil sends our way. Though we may find it challenging at times to ensure that we are fully covered, it will never add to our discomfort to put on what God has provided to us. It will surely keep the heat of the enemy’s flaming darts from dispersing troublesome “hot” on our heads, minds, bodies, and hearts.

Subscribe to our free bi-monthly eNewsletter