A Different Take on Spiritual Warfare

Look at the following two verses.  How do they compare?  How do they contrast with each other?

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11, ESV)

 

AND

 

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14, ESV)

 

The armor of God is a metaphor of Christ.  To do battle in the Christian life is to "put on" Christ.  It is to live showing the character of Christ on the outside.    If these two verses are parallel thoughts then the schemes, the strategy of Satan is revealed in our fleshly desires that lead to sin.

 

Every Christian is in a spiritual battle and the primary battleground is our desires that are ungodly. Living in the power of Christ trusting His graces is the only hope of standing.