Christian Living

Armor of Light

by Lynae Fisher 
04/18/24
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It does not take an expert to see that this world is a mess.  The world is getting darker every day.  There is no doubt about that.  Nearly every religion and cult agrees with us that the world as we know it is going to end someday.  As the dark gets darker, the light must also get brighter.  We as Christians are to shine that light to the world.  So what should we do in such a time as this?  Roman 13:12 (KJV) tells us this: "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."  This is the key to living in these dark days.

First, this verse warns us that the dark night of this world is almost over.  "The night is far spent, the day is at hand."  We do not know when our journey through this dark world will be over.  Whether Jesus calls one or all of us home, sooner or later all of us will appear before the judgement seat.  Thus, we ought to live our lives ready for the Master's call.  The time for spiritual sleep is over.  It is time for battle. 

The second thing that this verse tells us is to "cast off the works of darkness."  Galatians 5:19-21 gives a long list of these "works of darkness," or "fruits of the flesh." 

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (KJV)

We are called to shine God's light in the darkness, not join the darkness.  This is not necessarily easy, but it is the life He calls us to live and we can be sure of the reward that awaits us in heaven if we follow His law.

Finally, we are to wear the armor of light.  Ephesians 6:11-18 gives a better description of this armor. 

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (KJV)

This takes action.  Just as we get dressed in the morning before we go out into the world, so we ought to dress ourselves spiritually in the armor of God.  You would not go out into a battlefield with nothing on would you?  Likewise, we should never wander around spiritually naked.  Yet, just as there are many people running around dressed like there is a fabric shortage, so there is a serious spiritual clothing shortage even among Christians. 

The light is Jesus.  He spoke light into the world at the creation.  Sadly, evil has continually tried to snuff out that light.  The evil world hates the light because it exposes the filthiness in it.  John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (KJV)  Galatians 3:27 instructions us to put on this light: "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (KJV)  It is God who enables us to produce the good fruit of the spirit; we cannot live as we should on our own strength.  (Galatians 5:22-23"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." KJV)

The light is most brilliant in the greatest darkness.  The darkness can never overpower light, but instead gives it purpose.  Who needs a flashlight in a bright room?  Yet, in a dark room, that flashlight is very bright and helpful!  We as God's children are that light in the dark world and as the world gets more and more wicked, we must wake up, put on the armor of God, and go out to battle.  A flashlight is no good unless you turn it on.  So we must let Christ shine through us we live out our lives for Him.