Armor Up

I realized the other day that I have always looked at the Armor of God as defensive. Like the helmet you might wear on a motorcycle, or the Kevlar a traffic cop wears because of the risk of their work. 

Why wouldn't I? Armor is protection. Protection means safety. Safety means unharmed, no risk. In the world you will have trouble, Satan is roaming around like a lion, and the arrows of the enemy come from everywhere. The Armor was to keep that from hurting me. You. Anyone with the presence of mind to put it on. 

But... a Sword isn't exactly a self-defense weapon. You don't carry it in your glove box like a taser or pepper spray "just in case" as you go about your ordinary, daily routine in a potentially dangerous world. 

No.

You have a Sword at your side, on the ready. You keep it sharp, clean, and you practice using it. 

So. 

We have to think that a Sword is a specifically battle-ready piece of equipment. And a Shield? We aren't talking about a screen cover for your phone, here. A shield at the time would have been used exclusively in war. 

A Helmet. Breastplate. Belt. All specialized gear. 

This doesn't sound like a sleek bullet proof vest to me. It sounds like riot gear - the armor worn by the police when they know they are heading in to do some kind of fray. It sounds like football pads, worn by those charging straight into an opponent that stands in formation against them. 

There is no room for just in case, here. This Armor is specifically created for diving in, head-first, expecting opposition. The word we read often as "struggle" in Paul's description of the Armor is not an expression of general difficulty. It's stepping into a fight. A literal wrestling match. 

Battle. 

You wear armor when you know you're taking on great risk - you put it on in preparation to walk toward the danger. Walk toward the enemy. Walk into the flames. Walk into the Heavenly places where the opposition has invaded. With the expectation that you will make contact, and that it will put you in grave danger. 

Armor doesn't protect you from pain. It doesn't assure you that you'll make it back in one piece. It is meant to keep you fighting, wrestling, and doing battle as long as possible, and then coming back for more. 

The Armor is a call to arms. It is a battle cry.