Put It On

Paul urges believers to not merely understand the armor of God, but to put it on. Earlier in his letter to the Ephesians, he tells them to put off their old selves and put on their new selves (Ephesians 4:22-24). A soldier would need to dress for battle just as a believer needs to choose to live differently. Paul calls believers to the same intentionality. Choosing to follow Jesus renews the mind and reshapes habits and ways of living. Paul says to turn from behaviors such as lying, anger and stealing, and to embrace a Christlike posture of kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:25-32)...