Day 16 • The Week of Joy
Scripture Readings:
Psalm 125
1 Kings 18:1-18
Ephesians 6:10-17
I remember being obsessed with a “Christian soldier” costume I saw at a Christian bookstore when I was little. It had everything from the “helmet of salvation” to the “sword of the Spirit.” They were all plastic, of course, but as a little boy, I couldn’t help but picture myself wearing it all to vanquish the enemies of darkness, slashing my way to victory!
Much like this costume in the Christian bookstore of my childhood, the “armor of God” metaphor Paul uses in our reading from Ephesians 6:10-17 has a history of not only being read literally and militaristically but individualistically as well. All of which are counterproductive when trying to understand Paul’s meaning.
As Paul was writing these words, he was in a Roman prison for preaching the gospel, uncertain of what the future may bring. Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesian church was both a collective one and a subversive one. Everyone in that context would be far too familiar with the military garb of the average Roman soldier and the furry and violence it had brought with it within their world. Paul skillfully flips this dynamic on its head and uses the same pieces of armor to describe an entirely different kind of battle. A war against war itself. A life of peace rather than violence.
In a context where entire armies were wreaking havoc on actual flesh and blood, Paul reminded his readers that their fight was not with flesh and blood but with what compels flesh and blood to embody evil: rulers, authorities, and the spiritual forces of evil. Violence, after all is the end result of misplaced anger, hatred, and even greed. Those forces were the true enemies the followers of Christ were called to conquer in Paul’s mind. That is a battle that calls for an entirely different approach. An approach that only God can equip someone for.
Paul was calling for the whole Ephesian community to be ready in this way, not just individuals. They were to be in solidarity with one another like a Roman brigade. Ready to “stand firm” in peace in the face of such a violent world. Notice also how, with the exception of the sword of the Spirit, all the postures Paul describes are offensive, rather defensive. It is through the armor of peace, righteousness, and faith that the community stands firm against all forces of evil. Then, it is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, which can not only protect the cause of the innocent but even do so by separating the oppressor from their ways of oppression, whereby even the oppressor is liberated. What an incredible power that is to embody.
In our world today, just as within Paul’s world, it would be a mistake to read this description of the “armor of God” as an invitation to act just as militant as the world does, yet do so in the name of God. The exact opposite call is the core of this message. We are following a crucified Lord who brought freedom through self- sacrificial love on a cross, not by crushing his enemies with a sword. We are following a savior who would rather die for his enemies than kill them. We are following a teacher who embodied compassion towards others, not control. In a world like ours, living like Jesus is like a “battle,” not because we are participating in violence but precisely because we are embodying peace in a world that knows nothing other than violence. We are embodying hope in a world that is spiraling into hopelessness. We are embodying joy in a world of sorrow.
Reflection Steps:
You probably know the words from Proverbs 15 that says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” This is the kind of “spiritual stronghold” Paul is talking about fighting against in our reading for today. Responding to wrath with gentleness rather than repaying wrath with wrath. Can you remember a time when you have done this with someone? Where you responded calmly to their “wrath,” and it caused them to be calm as well? Can you remember a time when someone did for you, too? Where you were so angry, but instead of them getting angry at you, they responded in a calm and caring way that just melted your anger away? Reflect on those instances and think about how you might be able to incorporate more of that kind of “armor” in your life today.