“Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” (Rom 13:12, NKJ).
By this point you should know for sure that God places a huge premium on Eph 5:8: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Psalm 56:13 states it as follows: “For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?” The golden candlestick is the prototype of all this. On your path of sanctification you not only “cast off the works of darkness” as the Scripture above states, but you must also act with determination to daily put on the armour of light so “that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph 6:11).
The word “wiles” (in the New Living Translation: “strategies and tricks”) has a much deeper resonance in the original language. It comes from the word “methodeia”, in which we can clearly recognise the word “method”. In Greek the base meaning of the word lies in the expression: to travel together, with the clear implication: through trickery, cunning arts, deceit or craft tric/trap you on the road (Thayer). In order to resist these traps on your spiritual path, you need to be clothed with Christ (Rom 13:14).
You are clothed just like a Roman soldier was (Eph 6): your waist is girded with truth (verse 14) – your seed and offspring are protected in this manner. Sela. Also in verse 14: your heart, which is the origin of your life (Prov 4:23), is protected by the breastplate of righteousness. Righteousness and truth are the foundations of God’s throne in your life (Ps 89:14). On your feet are the shoes of “preparation of the gospel of peace” (or “readiness that comes from the gospel of peace”). To be able to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy you need to walk in faith – it becomes your shield (verse 16). Verse 17 talks about your soul dimension which is protected by the “helmet of salvation”, or then “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16). This means especially that you bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5). In your right hand is the sword of the Spirit – it is the word of God. Let the Word of God dwell in you richly (Col 3:16) and answer Satan as Jesus did by saying: “It is written …” (Matt 4:4). And lastly: you must pray “always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (verse 16). We have previously elaborated on what this means.
Rom 13:14: “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts.” The golden lamp stand and its weapons of light make it possible for you to discern and avoid traps along your path with God.
- Sela: Make it part of your daily routine to diligently clothe yourself spiritually.
- Read: Ex 21; Ps 71; Rom 13.
- Memorise: Rom 13:11-12
