Ephesians 6:14, commentary and pictures

Stand therefore means holding firm in God's armor, with truth fastened around the waist like a belt and righteousness covering the heart like a breastplate. It belongs to the call to be strong in the Lord to withstand in the evil day, because the wrestling is not against flesh and blood but against the devil's wiles, principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Truth here is the Word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ, prayerfully studied and practically applied as defense and weapon against temptation and deception. The breastplate is not human righteousness but the righteousness of Christ, received by faith in Him as personal Savior by doing the Word. One or two pieces are not enough, for every piece of the whole gospel armor is needed with none left off. Putting it on requires individual action, each soul for himself keeping it on continually every day without laying it aside even for a moment.

Text and Immediate Context

Standing firm against hostile spiritual power requires putting on the armor supplied by God, with truth fastened around the waist like a belt that girds and secures, and righteousness worn over the heart and life like a breastplate that covers and protects. This equipment belongs to the whole defense provided for the conflict, and in demanding work it involves cutting away inherited or cultivated traits of character that would give an opening to evil so that speech and mental, physical, and moral powers can be guided by Christ's Spirit.

The call is to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might rather than in self, self-confidence, or self-sufficiency, in order to stand against the wiles of the devil and to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. The reason is that the wrestling is not against flesh and blood or human beings but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. Obeying instruction given through His servants belongs to that standing, and in camp-meeting work it gains victories when the peace of Christ rules the heart and shows itself in words and works of praise and thanksgiving, in Christlike words and deeds that leave no excuse for spiritual dearth. The same stand is taken in a most trying position of vindicating truth against opponents, by staying at the post of duty instead of leaving under unjust criticism, taking up the work anew, learning meekness and lowliness, putting away unkind criticism, and cherishing faith that works by love and purifies the soul, since battles must still be fought and a stern conflict lies ahead requiring every piece of the armor.

Truth girded about the loins and righteousness as a breastplate stand together with feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith taken above all to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Practicing the Word rather than failing to practice it, standing on Christ's side rather than the world's side, clearing the mind from selfish indulgence in eating, drinking, and dressing, and praying always with prayer and supplication in the Spirit with perseverance for all saints belong to this full equipment. Mental readiness, soberness, and hope to the end for grace at the revelation of Jesus Christ join persevering prayer as means of victory, and believers cannot keep or uphold themselves, for sustaining power comes from God and heavenly angels minister to the heirs of salvation. Every temptation is to be overcome by the Word, answering attractions, deceptions, and alluring bribes that would eclipse Jesus and obliterate His plainest requirements with It is written.

The same armor is the call to stand in the strength of Jesus amid trial and suffering, stressing obedient soldier service under Christ as Commander and the forming of Christian character. In that use the image functions as readiness for action in a real conflict, prepared to face opposition and answer it, and as defensive resistance when religious views are expected to be challenged.

The command applies now while the church is still militant and not yet triumphant, fighting seen and unseen foes and unable to be overpowered while the armor is kept on. Satanic agencies in human form are confederated in every city against the law of God and the Lord of hosts, joined by professed saints and avowed unbelievers, busily organizing opposition, and these confederacies will continue until Christ leaves His place of intercession. Therefore God's people cannot afford to be weaklings or off guard for one moment, but must remain strong in the Lord, alert, and faithful in trial and persecution, not turning from truth or righteousness.

Abundant means for successful warfare have been provided, with the Bible as the armory where the equipment for the struggle against principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places is found. Taking the Word as full of meat and drink, studying the Bible to know God more, having fresh truth to impart instead of going over the same ground, and being fitted to save a world to be warned belong to putting on that armor. The call is to readiness to follow the Captain wherever He leads, to be doers of His Word and not self-deceived, with feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

Spiritual Battle and Adversary

The call to stand girt with truth and covered with righteousness is an order from Jesus as Captain of salvation for active conflict in the evil day, and having done all to stand means taking heaven's whole armor for a battle for an eternal invisible world. The war is not against flesh and blood but against a vast confederacy of evil, principalities and powers and rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places, with its wiles and imminent peril. In that battle the whole universe of God is marshalled under Christ, human weakness is enabled by supernatural assistance to do the deeds of Omnipotence, withstand the evil one, and remain safe in faithfully obeying orders, with strength lying in obedience to His Word and through that obedience receiving a power not of self. Christians are the church militant, not yet the church triumphant, and every one has a battle to fight because the devil is not dead and buried, with no piece of the armor left off so the whole body is prepared for warfare. This standing means realizing that Jesus as Captain of the Lord's host leads today just as He led Israel through the wilderness for forty years enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, watching one's own soul and remaining in preparedness with the Holy Spirit working on the mind to develop character and perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord, fighting the armies of darkness in one's lot and place in order to sit with Christ upon His throne, building up His kingdom as laborers together with God in view of the universe of heaven with every man doing his duty.

The church must still fight seen and unseen foes while it is militant, strong in the Lord and in the power of His might to stand against the wiles of the devil and to withstand in the evil day. Satanic agencies in human form are confederated to oppose the Lord of hosts, busily organizing in every city those opposed to the law of God, joined by professed saints and avowed unbelievers, and these confederacies will continue until Christ leaves His place of intercession. God's people therefore cannot afford to be weaklings or off guard for one moment, but must remain strong and alert because opposition to God's law is organized and the struggle continues until intercession ends. Opposition also comes through men who claim to be followers of Christ but are unconsecrated and have lent their talents and ability to the enemy to hinder God's work, and through people whom he uses to lead others away from truth. The belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness belong to the defense of the foundation of faith which Satan seeks to undermine.

The vigilant enemy of souls is constantly at work beyond merely human opponents, especially active to oppose every effort to do the Lord's work and every effort to perfect character in harmony with the Word, so Christians must expect opposition and not expect the work to go forward smoothly. He watches going out and coming in to find opportunity to hurt or destroy, works most successfully in darkness against those ignorant of his devices, and gains no advantage when his method of attack is understood. He often works through members of one's own family, using unguarded words or acts of loved ones which he magnifies before the mind to pierce, and he tailors temptations, weaves his net, sometimes appears as an angel of light, and meets men in spiritualistic confrontation not as mere man and arguments but as Satan and his angels. Meeting that warfare requires being clothed with God's armor and relying on the Lord's strength and not on self, with knowledge of his wiles and self-knowledge of besetting sin. No one should go forth alone to such combat enshrouded with unbelief and doubt, for that is presumption leaving one grievously wounded and insensible to the wound; when truth demands confrontation several should go together with prayer and faith so darkness is driven back and the speaker is shielded by angels that excel in strength. Rushing upon Satan's ground, parleying with him, reasoning and tarrying upon forbidden ground, indulging doubts and unbelief, and exercising the mind in things too great attracts evil angels and drives away pure and holy angels, bringing fatal fascination and the devil's snare from which there must be desperate effort to escape or perish; by contrast yielding one's own way and submitting even when another's requirements seem unreasonable saves both from unhappiness and gives victory over temptation, instead of defending what are termed personal rights.

The warfare is daily and lifelong and not mortal combat, a continual conflict with Satan who must be repelled at every step, with no rest and no laying off the armor while work remains. There is no time to lay off the armor because the warfare is unceasing, gaining one victory does not free from assaults since he assails again and again, requiring constantly resisting him while trusting in Christ who bestows strength to overcome, and seeking not a meager supply of grace but fullness until it brings unrestrainable joy. It means being prepared for instant action sick or well, ready to obey Christ as Captain, giving no time to ponder self or to consult ease, convenience, pleasure, or worldly temporal employment, but listening for His word of command and obeying at once, persevering against inherited tendencies and wrong habits while imitating the divine Pattern, and bringing righteous principles into all one's work. God's people must keep wearing the armor through the end of work and struggle and not abandon service, but remain faithful until the Lord releases them. The warfare is short, and girding on the armor anew after failure brings victory, resisting deception and the lying whispers and dreams of evil angels around and breaking that dreadful influence before the Spirit is grieved entirely away, until those who stand victorious soon lay off the armor to wear a conqueror's crown and receive a rich inheritance of everlasting life bought by the agony and blood of the Son, while longing to rest in the grave is longing to be freed from the struggle through death.

Without God's armor and the Spirit's sword a Christian becomes prey to the powers of darkness in a world hostile to faith, left vulnerable and defeated and unprepared, and acting in disharmony with God's angels by choosing a course that exposes oneself to Satan's influence. The whole armor makes believers impregnable so that Satan's darts and thrusts are made harmless, with vast resources available giving moral power to do righteousness under all circumstances, so every encounter with difficulty and blast of adversity becomes gain that makes workers better and abler because trial is God's chosen means to test and discipline for success. Standing firm in the evil day does not come from human strength, knowledge, or self-made plans, but depends on God's power exercised through living faith and obedience to His will, with humility and closeness to Christ keeping believers from confusion by subtle reasoning. The weapon God gives is the Word used as Christ used it by answering temptation with It is written, rather than argument and attempts to refute deceptive claims which can give Satan an advantage.

Safety is assured only when Christ's soldiers work and sleep with their armor on, keeping it on continually in work and in sleep and remaining equipped and on guard, because ever since Adam yielded the conflict has raged between right and wrong, between God and Satan. Doing right carries a power Satan cannot overcome, righteousness has a vitality that is divine, and truth which is light revealed will triumph at last over falsehood which is darkness when God vanquishes the enemy. Good and evil never harmonize, between light and darkness there can be no compromise, light has no fellowship with darkness and righteousness has no fellowship with unrighteousness, and between truth and error there can be no compromise. The stand is held by earnest prayer and unyielding faith, relying on the merits of the blood of Christ and claiming His saving strength, depending solely on the merits of the atonement of the crucified and risen Saviour, with earnest and persevering resistance that closes every possible door against him, living in the family so he can take no advantage of anything said or done to tear one another down. Even when darkness gathers and shuts Jesus from sight and hope seems to fail and despair seizes, the trusting Christian waits patiently in hope with faith and submission, the will swallowed up in the will of God, and will never perish, for Satan's power is limited and the furnace he heats and fire he kindles can have no power to destroy or hurt the true metal, and nothing is consumed but the dross while Jesus and angels watch.

The gospel armor of truth and righteousness can feel too heavy to bear, but Jesus Christ Himself is the believer's armor and gospel armor. Hiding in Him carries it and protects against the wicked one's attacks and confusion and harassment of faith, so faith hidden in Him is not harassed or confused. He has bequeathed His peace, and strength for standing comes from God through His eternal Son. Its promise of strength and protection gives courage to speak God's word boldly despite threats and to remain steadfast against the devil's schemes.

Truth Girding the Loins

Truth in this verse is the Word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ, and faith in that Word prayerfully studied and practically applied is armor and shield and weapon to meet attacks, recognize devices, overcome temptation, and bring victory through Christ's blood. Security in standing depends on humble reliance on God, obedience, prayer, and understanding Scripture, since the adversary can quote Scripture while twisting its meaning to lead astray. Departing from plain precepts and commandments and giving heed to fables prepares minds to receive lying wonders and healing miracles as from God and to be ensnared, while the shield of faith in God's Word brings victory.

The girdle is the golden chain of truth in contrast to fiction, false interpretations of Scripture, fables, and ceremonies without Christ, and truth is the only panoply that saves and the only covering for the soul. To be girded is to have truth enshrined in the heart where it becomes a vitalizing power through Christ's words which are spirit and life, received by a better, deeper, more lovely teaching than man can give, for Christ Himself is the Word made flesh full of grace and truth. That conviction must become fixed in the soul itself, because religion merely handed down from fathers will not withstand temptation, and it must be held firmly in the strength God imparts and reinforced daily by humble, sincere prayer and reading of the Word, or it will be wrung from the grasp, while clinging closely to the Bible alone ennobles and purifies and makes like-minded with God so as to be strong in His strength, fearing no dishonor but rebellion against God. Diligence in business and useful service for Christ works with that armor to guard against temptation.

Having the loins girt gives purity of purpose and settled knowledge of serving the Lord Jesus Christ and not self, and of being a successful co-laborer with Christ able to stand against the wiles of the devil in the evil day. The more self is known and motives and desires are proved, the more heartfelt the consciousness of utter inability to fight the battles of the Lord in human strength, and the more deeply the need for this truth and for God's power is felt. The surrounding command to take the whole armor shows the battle cannot be fought in human strength.

To be girt means making truthfulness a settled part of Christian character, speaking and acting truthfully without lying, exaggerating, dissembling, or supporting a lie by silence even when honesty offends or brings hardship. Firm adherence to truth is essential to Christian character and belongs with the breastplate of righteousness as essential spiritual armor holding the person firm. Playing fast and loose with truth for selfish gain shipwrecks faith and leaves inability to trust others, and truthfulness rules out deception and hypocrisy used to serve selfish plans.

Being girt means accurately representing present truth to the world without striving for the highest place or seeking to be first, but seeing who can represent it most accurately, with fidelity to God and to one another marking all that is done. In the highest sense it means binding oneself to the great principles of God's Word and being at home among eternal realities, firmly grounded in biblical truth and living by it, with a living faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Such consecrated workers are mighty and strong and faithful laborers fit to serve God, and these are the laborers God needs. People must be educated to bind themselves up with truth and righteousness, and the Holy Spirit makes it manifest so that light shines forth in clear, distinct rays leading men and women to distinguish clearly between the false and the true. Enlightenment in the evidences of faith and the doctrines of the Bible, gained by prayerful Bible instruction and by books that deal with Bible subjects, prepares for remaining firm in trying times and makes those enlightened into laborers in word and doctrine who scatter those books and keep their lamps burning.

Truth must rule the heart and life so believers can meet temptation and by God's grace overcome, and it must be lived out in character with convictions strengthened by the living sympathy shown in Christ's life. Truth in the heart acts as a faithful sentinel, warning and summoning to resist evil, and this protection depends on Christ as Helper, without whom nothing can be done as it ought, while His grace makes mighty through God against the powers of darkness. Only God's grace working through truth can make steadfast, and reliance on anything else leaves ready to fall. Bible instruction and books on Bible subjects help make ready to stand through the trying times ahead with lives grounded in truth and lamps burning, able to stand and to become laborers who scatter truth to others, the only refuge when everything shakable is shaken.

Truth is to be sought with an open Bible and accepted as the standard, with each piece of armor necessary and assurance of victory after doing one's part in the coming time of testing. Standing girt means not denying Christ by speaking contrary to truth, by speaking evil of others, or by foolish talking and jesting and idle words, for such speech shows little wisdom, makes weak and feeble to resist, and brings defeat, since from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and confesses through lack of watchfulness that Christ is not within. The Christian soldier clad in divine armor stays on guard in speech when compelled to be with the frivolous, speaking words that lead minds to God and sow seeds of truth and righteousness that will bear fruit.

Righteousness as Breastplate Armor

The breastplate is not human righteousness but the righteousness of Christ, the heavenly wedding garment and the righteousness of the saints, received by faith in Christ as personal Savior by doing the Word and alone acceptable to God. Letting truth shape practical life shows friendship with Christ in words, spirit, and love, and heavenly help is given to every trusting soul, weak or strong, rich or poor, who labors to turn others from sin to righteousness. Clad in this panoply of heaven, believers find in Jesus a strength that becomes their own, with quick discernment of danger, sight of the hateful character of sin to expel it from the soul, and successful resistance to the wiles of the serpent, with no moment to lose while eternity outweighs every other enterprise. Putting it on comes by heeding a Thus saith the Lord and catching the spirit of Him who gave His life for the life of the world, ending impotence and talk of what cannot be done and sending forth willing to do and dare with omnipotence supplying need. Its call to stand ready joins being girded with keeping the lamps burning and being ready at any time to meet the enemy.

The breastplate protects the spiritual life in all its actions and practices, with practical rectitude in acting rightly in every matter and in harmony with the laws of nature, since violating those laws harms the welfare of the soul. This is a call to genuine conversion, real piety, unselfish devotion, and true religion in resisting the powers of darkness, lived out as revealing Christ in thought, word, and deed through power God gives.

Christ's righteousness surrounds the believer as a garment, and the father of lies sets every conceivable power at work to discourage and make fainthearted the chosen and to strip this divine armor from them. Keeping it on means trusting in Jesus like a little child, doing what one can and doing one's best cheerfully without worry, accepting human limits and need for rest, and finding daily rest and peace close by His side. It means letting the light shine rather than trying to make it shine, for Jesus does that, believing all knowledge and wisdom comes from the Holy One who will not fail nor be discouraged.

Putting on righteousness means implicitly obeying all God's commands and ordinances, refusing conformity to the customs and practices of the world, earnestly improving every religious privilege, inquiring of God daily to learn His will, and diligently studying the life and words of Christ and cheerfully obeying His instructions. Such humble trust and faithful obedience are as essential in spiritual warfare as they were to Gideon and his associates, assuring the presence and protection of the Captain of the Lord's host so the armed need not fear God's enemies. It gives power to stand pure from evil and lust amid the dangers and corruption of the age and to convince unbelievers, without which there is unreadiness for coming trials and inability to contend with prevailing sin. When ministers lay this part of the armor aside they are exposed to attack and temptation, where even a thoughtless act or trifling word can turn an eternal decision.

Putting it on means taking Christ as staff, wisdom, sanctification, and righteousness and representing Him under insult and provocation, possessing the soul in patience with self-control and a calm spirit. It refuses to divide character between great things ruled by God's law and little things ruled by irritation and natural traits, withholds words of chastisement, keeps thoughts from being wrought up over vexations, keeps Jesus close every moment as counsellor and refuge, and acts manfully and nobly by grace and the Holy Spirit strengthening the inner man. It opens the windows of the mind and the door of the heart to flood the soul temple with heaven's sunshine, so joy in Christ becomes permanent, with transgressions confessed and pardoned on God's pledged word, remembered no more, in freedom to look and live while faith and trust continually increase. Ezra and his companions understood this protection to depend on keeping God's law continually before them, so that willful violation of even one commandment left them exposed like a soldier without a breastplate, sought through prayer, fasting, confession, and conformity to God's will for His blessing. Jesus as High Priest wears the official breastplate and is able to bear it and all burdens, so human agents need not carry that priestly burden but cast all care upon Him as Counsellor and everlasting support, taking the Word, believing it, planting the feet upon it as solid rock, and standing firmly in Christ to tell their experience for others' benefit.

Christ's righteousness is armor against the devil's accusations, for the sinner may admit guilt and rely on Christ as Savior whose death as Substitute and Surety provides forgiveness and cleansing, since people cannot redeem or restore themselves by their own efforts. Clothed with God's righteousness, believers gain victory over every spiritual foe, with hope in the living God who joins His power to their efforts.

Standing in Whole Armor

The belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness belong to the whole gospel armor needed to stand against the devil and withstand in the evil day, and one or two pieces are not enough. Every piece must be put on with none left off, so the whole body is prepared for warfare against powers of darkness, not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places, and having done all, to stand. This is the more urgent under increased responsibility and in the coming crisis and time of testing, when defenders of the truth gird themselves to remain loyal to Jesus, uphold His law, defend religious liberty, seek truth with an open Bible as the standard, and have assurance of victory after doing their part. The church is still militant and not yet triumphant, and everyone has a battle because the devil is not dead and buried but vigilant and especially active to oppose every effort to do the Lord's work and to perfect character in harmony with the Word, so Christians must expect opposition, put on every piece to be safe from defeat, and keep it on at all times, including all connected with preaching and publishing present truth whom Satan marks for special attack.

Putting on the armor requires individual compliance and action, for all strength comes from God in the power of His might yet each person must act an individual part. Each soul must put it on for himself and have his own covering, as no one is asked to take off his own shoes of gospel peace and put them on another, and each must pray and watch over his own soul while trusting God to do His part. It must be kept on continually today and every day without laying it aside even for a moment, ready for battle at all times and in all places, worn faithfully in the work because faith will be tested in severe and trying ways, and laid down only when the Master bids release at the Redeemer's feet, with victory before the faithful worker who trusts the Lord. This means cherishing and strengthening consciousness of individual duty, strengthening spiritual consciousness by continual increasing faith, looking to God continually and pleading His assurance by faith, hanging the helpless soul with humility upon invisible power, making the Word the counselor and defense, and moving intelligently against invisible foes.

Standing comes after having done all on the human part to cooperate with God, strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. It requires constantly increasing growth in grace and knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and abiding in Christ as the efficiency that brings forth much fruit, for without Him nothing can be done. So equipped, believers serve as a defense for the gospel and as part of the Lord's army in active spiritual warfare against the wiles of the devil, against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. One exalted to responsibility and trust must therefore reveal deeper piety, more earnest faith, and more zeal as a witness of Christ's grace, and must not pursue a course with less of Jesus Christ.

These requirements are possible through divine grace, whose power can subdue even outbursts of passion. Truth must hold a person steady and righteousness must protect heart and life, which means standing wholly under the control of Jesus Christ. Believers are to rely on the Lord rather than their own abilities or institutions, look to Jesus for strength, obey His revealed word under the divine Spirit, rely on God's wisdom rather than their own while actively serving truth and righteousness, be clothed with His Spirit, and have His righteousness go before them.

Soldiers who continually wear the provision God gives will not be defeated, for obeying Christ as Captain of salvation and great Healer brings spiritual health and victory through supplied grace to those who cooperate with God. Those under Christ's banner can never be conquered while they keep the armor on and never relax vigilance, because angels from heaven fight beside them, and faith as a shield guards heart and life so that darts do not move believers when kept firmly in place. This is marching orders for the time of the end as scenes crowd toward Christ revealed in the clouds with power and great glory, calling every brain and voice with a certain trumpet sound, ordering aggressive warfare to rescue the fallen rather than war against fellow believers, and building Christ's kingdom in obedience to His orders.

Every truly converted person must put on this armor to stand bravely against the unseen enemy in perilous times of danger, deception, hostility, and misjudgment. Christ resisted temptation and stood firm where Adam fell, providing example and salvation to those who receive Him, so believers follow Him by putting on God's armor and choosing His resistance over Adam's yielding. Those pledged to God oppose evil and are safe as they heed the command, watchful and trusting in God against spiritual deception and attack. This is election to be saved by working out salvation with fear, fighting unholy lust, watching unto prayer, searching Scripture, obeying every word, guarding every point, using Scripture to cut through entanglements, keeping spiritual soundness and heavenly aims, and standing equipped against devices, darts, and foes not yet revealed, chosen and prepared to resist trial when truth brings conflict.

Faithfulness in Last-Day Crisis

The belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness are marching orders for the end time, when events crowd rapidly toward the appearing of Christ in the clouds with power and great glory, calling for firm standing in the whole armor to withstand in the evil day of war not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places, where those under Christ's banner with angels fighting beside them can never be conquered and every mind and voice is enlisted with a certain trumpet sound summoning all to the work. It is high time to put on that armor at once because the world and the cities are full of iniquity as in the days of Noah, while probation still continues and Christ is ever willing to help resist evil, lest believers drift with the current and be swallowed up with destruction and fail to be ready for what is before them. As men resist God's Spirit it will be less manifested until angels fold their wings and cease their watchcare, prayers no longer prevail for rejecters of light and no more words of peace are given after warning, and when Christ comes God will laugh at the fear of the wicked.

The armor is needed as spiritual opposition grows and human laws compel worship according to human opinions, requiring God's people to remain equipped to withstand that coercion and stand firm. Arming must be now for the soon contest with Satan's more fully exhibited lying wonders and healing miracles, since departing from the plain precepts and commandments of God and heeding fables prepares minds to receive those wonders as from God and be ensnared and taken, while faith in God's Word prayerfully studied and practically applied is the shield from Satan's power bringing victory through Christ's blood. Every minister and evangelist is to meet the Sunday movement by working and watching and praying, and every church member is to humble the heart before God and cry aloud and spare not with a sense of responsibility as laborers together with Him. Standing firm on the platform of eternal truth amid error overspreading the whole earth means being prepared to withstand Satan's own miracle-working before the people, letting nothing the enemy presents as truth exert influence because instruction comes from the great Author of all truth. Standing firm for the right means watching and praying and trusting God's living Word, entering each battle in full faith as more than conquerors through Christ, watching diligently as faithful watchmen with keen perception to discern the meaning of chapters yet to open, holding holy boldness without depression or discouragement over prevailing sin or difficulties on right hand and left. That equipment is for the future when Satan's superstitions assume new forms and false theories clothed in garments of light are presented to deceive if possible the very elect, with the law and the testimony as the watchword test of whether there is light in them.

In the coming crisis those defending truth will gird themselves with the whole armor, remain loyal to Jesus, uphold His law, and defend religious liberty. Truth and Christ's righteousness are essential parts of that armor offered to strengthen believers for the coming time of testing, with every piece necessary and with assurance of victory after doing their part, and truth is to be sought with open Bible accepted as the standard. The call to put on the gospel armor is an urgent call to prepare for the coming crisis and to endure God's examination. The church militant faces fierce conflicts with evil as it becomes firmly established in eternal truth, and each believer is to stand with the church and stand steadfastly for truth as it is in Jesus.

Heeding the call means holding fast the Bible truths forming Seventh-day Adventist faith, since abandoning those truths weakens faith and turning from Bible truth leaves instability. Those grounded in Bible truth and clothed with righteousness and searching God's Word will not be drawn away by false teaching or spurious sanctification accommodating false theories. Holding to and obeying present truth is part of alert readiness against the enemy and guards against strong delusions, requiring firmness in fundamental truths grounded in divine authority. Putting on the armor means dwelling on truth, present truth, the great work of the last message of mercy and the coming of Christ, and refusing to leave that work to answer falsehoods, misrepresentations and slander by which Satan seeks to divert minds from present truth and Christ's coming, so staying focused without turning aside is standing in the armor. Standing firm with the whole armor on means resisting theories that divert the mind and unsettle faith, holding with full confidence the light on prophecy that made Adventists what they are, with those who did not share that experience in the unfolding of prophecies privileged to hold the same message of truth with the same confidence, letting the light God gave strengthen confidence in the path He led in the past and holding the beginning of confidence firm to the end.

The warfare vindicates and magnifies God's law and makes it honorable, upholding the seventh-day Sabbath against the spurious first-day Sabbath and pressing the battle to the gates as witnesses for God against Satan's untiring opposition to the law, a work that must advance or go backward with God's honor upheld on earth by obedience to His commandments and with no release from manful fighting against evil. The armor of truth and righteousness is steadfast adherence to principle and resistance to corruption, and this faithfulness distinguishes those bearing the seal of the living God from those receiving the mark of the beast. Taking hold of truth and putting on the gospel shoes means keeping at work for souls in darkness, lest failure leave many unsaved, and the truth to be carried includes that transgressing the Sabbath commandment by keeping the first day tramples and disregards God's positive commandments, leaving no expectation of entrance through the gates into the city since that would create a second rebellion.

Those proclaiming the third angel's message, which is the gospel of peace and righteousness and truth, must put on every piece now in the closing scenes of earth's history so they can stand boldly at post against detraction and falsehood and resist the enemy with the written Word after Christ's example of It is written. Their strength comes from remaining where Father, Son and Holy Spirit can be their efficiency, giving themselves unreservedly to God with heaven's strength at command, so that one making God his trust is barricaded by an impregnable wall and made secure. Girding on the armor and standing firmly while bearing aloft the banner of truth is joined to the triumph of the third angel's message against teachings that misplace prophecy and work against revealed truth.

Keeping the whole armor means readiness for battle at any moment and fighting every inch of ground now because Satan has come down in great power knowing his time is short, standing strong and bold with God's commandments written in hearts and minds and crying the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus even when opposers are many and tall like the sons of Anak. This applies after the midnight cry and shutting of the door in 1844, while Jesus still stands between God and man and before sealing is finished, so keepers may be hidden in the time of trouble such as never was and meet the coming Lord in peace. Standing with the whole armor on means being fully awake to tremendous issues testing every soul with knowledge of present truth, requiring youth to have every advantage of preparation through church-school education not left to haphazard or slack makeshift but with the very best abilities in every grade to educate them to stand in truth and righteousness, not leaving the field as if defeated but holding the work symmetrical and elevated. Keeping every piece on means standing awake and faithful as watchmen who have had the light, sounding the last warning and preparing church and world for the closing scenes at earth's near end, when confusion upon confusion, accidents by sea and land, increasing crime, corrupt officials, false theories and false laws exalted above God's commandments, and withdrawal of God's Spirit from wicked nations show fulfilling signs.

Standing firm against spiritual evil with truth as belt and righteousness as breastplate means not turning from them in trial and persecution, not swerving through satanic opposition while the church is still militant and not yet triumphant. The armor is given to the church as assurance that believers are not left without hope, anchoring them in clearly understood truth amid increasing apostasy and false teaching and satanic deception. Aged soldiers in the work since the passing of the time in 1844, who have seen truth established and settled and been blessed with great light and sustained in fitting men and women to proclaim the message, are to stand self-sacrificing, self-denying, respected as chosen and precious, given faith, hope, courage and wisdom, and when perplexity comes through misleading theories that take a text and draw from it what God has not placed there, they prove falseness not by controversy but by presenting the clear straight truths God has vindicated. The call is for steadfast commitment to Bible principle against spiritual opposition, being first right before God and then standing unaffected in His strength wherever providence calls, remaining on Christ's side and enduring oppression as Christ endured, refusing science falsely so called.

Being clothed with the armor means standing on the tested platform, holding the sure pillars of faith and revealed principles of truth as the only foundation, and in that armor resisting new fanciful, fascinating and misleading theories that endanger eternal interests and are not sustained by Scripture. Truth and righteousness belong to the heavenly armor for full equipment with no piece left off, to stand amid conflict between truth and apostate powers. Christians need the Spirit of Christ to put on the armor of righteousness and labor for others in self-denial and suffering for Christ, prepared to face hardship and Satan's assaults in the struggle against flesh and the inclinations, vanity and pride of the heart. Standing firm against misleading theories is by wearing that armor and not abandoning truth for supposition or sophistry that entangles the mind, while confession of sin and reliance on God's power leave sophistry powerless. Success in life's struggle depends on centering affections on God and holding firmly to doing right, with God giving strength and confidence to those who do so.

Obedient Character and Daily Victory

Standing firm requires cutting away inherited or cultivated traits of character that give the adversary an opening, so that Christ's Spirit takes possession of speech and of mental, physical, and moral powers, especially in difficult fields where wisdom must be sought and Christ's methods studied lest objectionable features be called into exercise to bring defeat where there should be victory. Heart-searching and prayer, self-reformation, steady progress toward heaven, and leading others in safe paths belong to putting on the belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness to stand against wiles and withstand in the evil day. The conflict is not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places, and without sanctification through truth discernment is lost and guides become unsafe. Security depends on humble reliance, obedience, prayer, and understanding of Scripture studied humbly, because Satan can quote Scripture while twisting its meaning to mislead.

Having loins girt and the breastplate on means words and deeds fragrant with holiness, putting off the old man corrupt by deceitful lusts, being renewed in mind, and putting on the new man created in righteousness and true holiness. It means putting away lying and speaking truth, being angry without sinning, giving no place to the devil, laboring honestly to give to the needy, letting no corrupt speech proceed but only what edifies and ministers grace, not grieving the Holy Spirit, putting away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and malice, and being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Guarding conduct and speech so the enemy gains no advantage is required in the family circle, where harsh, unkind, unsympathetic words make a person Satan's agent to cast shadow, while courtesy, love, tenderness, compassion, and a Christlike spirit reveal religion at home and reflect light around. Kindness and courtesy with a sweet disposition, refusing by voice, tone, or action to irritate others or place temptation in their way, obtain victories that make prayer easier and keep experience from being spoiled, preserving peace and honor as a child of God while staying close to Jesus. Practicing the Word rather than failing to practice it, standing on Christ's side rather than the world's, and clearing the mind from selfish indulgence in eating, drinking, and dressing belong to this standing.

The Christian fight calls for courage, constancy, and reliance on God's strength rather than human strength, going forward in His strength, using entrusted gifts, never yielding to attacks, temptations, and stratagems, but standing as a rock to principle. It requires steadfast loyalty to the Word, defense of law and right, watchfulness and daily self-denial, prompt correction of wrong and resistance to sin, holding fast to the Word and preserving integrity and the principles of law at any cost by Christ's victory and God's power. The aim is to overcome and advance in the third angel's message by Christ's grace and strength, living faithfully in the work given, while indifference and sloth put religion and heaven at risk. In severe conflict commandment-keepers stay alert and active together with God relying on Christ.

Putting on the armor means guarding conduct with modesty and reserve, speaking and acting with kindness and courtesy without undue familiarity, and avoiding even the appearance of evil, especially for sanitarium workers whose words and actions must give no occasion to speak evil of truth among shipwrecked souls. Keeping thoughts centered on God, pure and sanctified, puts on purity as shield and armor that gives knowledge of temptation's character and its author and power to resist on every hand, leaving no inclination to leave strict rectitude and teaching discernment to keep the sacred distinct from the common and the pure from what is loose in word and appearance. Those in trust must be as watchful and critical over their own spirits, temperaments, and words as over others, lest God be dishonored and truth misrepresented, and then the living Word becomes fire in the bones shining in clear distinctness. Being clothed steadily means moving forward in fear and love of God without being swayed by criticism, reproach, censure, murmuring, or fault-finding, strengthened by faith, courageous and cheerful in the Lord who bore all such reproach and more, for truth is solemn, elevating, and sanctifies its receiver.

Standing firmly for the right independent of opposing influence in trial and peril requires an eye single to God's glory, with His power as dependence and His grace as strength, gaining clear conceptions of duty by Scripture and earnest prayer and then faithfully performing them. Faithfulness cultivated in little things builds habits of integrity for greater trusts, because everyday incidents shape character and every event is great for good or evil, and the mind must be trained by daily tests to acquire power to stand. Moral courage must take its stand now rather than waiting for an easier time to put away sin, for standing without armor is cowardice, while Calvary's wounding, bruising, chastisement, and affliction made provision to stand amid this age's perils. Diligent soldiership listens to warnings, forever removes works of sin and uncleanness, puts on Christ's righteousness as proof against temptation, becomes a faithful sentinel true to faith and God, and remains true to principle amid severe opposition unmoved by praise, blame, or reward. Keeping all the armor on means prepared, sanctified experience that makes straight paths lest the lame be turned aside, humble dependence on the Father, steadfastness at duty in unity, moderation and caution when motives are misrepresented, patient bearing of trial and accusation as Christ bore, and courage because He sees motives and will reward sincere righteous principle, with conversion and the Spirit turning even from perverted appetite that destroys physical, mental, and moral powers.

Feelings and impulses are no shield and give no stability, changing with outward circumstances and prevailing influences, leaving a person without confidence in self and God, drifting without anchor and held in slavery to sin. Safety requires firm principle, inward assurance strengthening purpose to stand, and watching unto prayer, for without the armor the enemy seeking destruction will surely conquer. Every temptation is to be met with It is written, answering attractions, deceptions, and alluring bribes that would eclipse Jesus and obliterate His plainest requirements, since faith in God and His Word supplies inner power to turn aside attacks and cut through obstructions and entanglements of sin. When truth takes possession of the heart the real conflict is entered, including opposition within the household and heart, and victory cannot be secured without the free Spirit of God.

Standing girt and covered means joining to Jesus, keeping close to His side, hiding self in Him, and bringing every ability into subjection, representing truth as it is in Jesus so power reaches the heart and the contrast of truth and error is clear. Mere knowledge of truth is not enough, for without this covering human nature in prejudiced discussion is irritated into hasty words that give no strength, weaken confidence, mar influence, dishonor God, endanger souls, and let Satan triumph, while self hid in Christ gains full victory over temper and glorifies God. It means entire surrender, forsaking love of the world, refusing friendship with the Lord's enemies, their customs and opinions, following closely rather than at a distance in uncertainty, and guarding speech from denying Christ by contrary speech, evil speaking, foolish talking, jesting, or idle words that make weak and bring defeat. Cooperating with God in keeping from evil still requires watching unto prayer and refusing the first wrong step, with Christ abiding by intelligent faith so nothing can corrupt principle or separate affection from God, and girding anew after weariness means correcting defects seen in the mirror by penitence, persistent energy, patient industry, and faith in grace, washing robes white in the Lamb's blood.

The Christian life is daily conflict opposed at every step by the synagogue of Satan, requiring guard against stealthy approach, forcing back old habits and inclinations, and ever watching unto prayer, with higher attainments reached only through much prayer and constant watchfulness and with power in Christ crucified to convert and enable resistance. The armor is kept girded ready against persecutors demanding surrender of faith or death, and against the unceasing conflict of truth and holiness with error and ungodliness in which none may rest at ease while a few bear the warfare. Youth take up every piece to resist the tempter and overcome evil through constant study, faithfulness, and reliance that defeats deception, while indolence, sloth, presumption, self-confidence, and seeking ease while brethren bear hardship bring defeat. One in responsible work made especially endangered by exaltation must be firmly equipped with truth and righteousness lest he fall.

Paul clothed in truth bears fearless, undiscouraged witness confident in innocence and in God, so the gospel advances even in danger of life, and standing firm clothed in God's armor he is secure in the truth proclaimed. Luther stands humble and firm relying on God with truthful positions, in contrast to haughty opposition without scriptural argument, showing that having truth on one's side means standing in God's strength. Nehemiah's refusal to be frightened or tricked into sin illustrates the steadfastness against deception and threats that a similar test will demand. Doing God's work protected by truth and righteousness requires trust in Jesus as righteousness and defense, with humility and watchfulness to withstand attack and keep faithful, enabling one to stand after doing what the Spirit teaches.

A discouraged believer who had laid down the armor amid neglect and returned to harmful habits was raised to hope again by encouragement, showing the need to restore the fallen. All are soldiers to prepare against error and to resist snares aimed in the battle for everlasting life under God's protection, keeping on the armor of truth and righteousness constantly against evils continually creeping in. Protection reflecting truth and righteousness is found in prayer, zeal for Christ, confidence in His help, love, and the Bible amid danger. Faithful armor-bearers on trial must advance daily in knowledge of truth and love of God as responsibilities increase, using God-given strength with eye single to His glory, especially guarding speech from misrepresenting, misjudging, depreciating, vain, and envious talk that strengthens the enemy, weakens spirituality, and dims light into darkness. Fighters must buckle on armor expecting trials and advancing in Bible order with angels going before.

Mission Service and Watchfulness

The belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness equip believers not only to resist the devil themselves but to help tempted souls resist him, and the whole passage is to be read prayerfully and applied personally. This charge falls on every soul individually, yet with special weight on ministers, physicians, medical missionary workers, soldiers, youth, and all whose names are on the church books, who must wear the armor and live exemplary lives before members and younger workers. Workers embody the truth and righteous life the verse describes as they clearly present the reasons for their faith in simplicity and love, which means awaking, repenting, being truly converted, rending the heart, living known truth, bringing spirit and desire under God and the Holy Spirit, being imbued with power from on high, and preparing to meet God for the great conflict and evil day of wrestling not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places.

Standing girt and covered means staying at the post of duty instead of leaving under unjust criticism, taking up the work anew in meekness and lowliness, putting away unkind criticism, and cherishing faith that works by love and purifies the soul. It means standing firm having done all, vindicating truth against opponents while remembering the wrestling is not against flesh and blood, staying as faithful sentinel and giving the enemy no quarter when preached truth brings increased bitterness, holding high on the uplifted banner the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. It means fighting the Lord's battles courageously, standing bravely and loyally for God even when loyalty is tested as His witness, enduring hardship as faithful soldiers without letting opposition destroy courage, and girding on the armor anew after failure until victory breaks Satan's deception and lying whispers and dreams of evil angels before the Spirit is grieved away, for the warfare is short and the victorious will soon lay off armor for a conqueror's crown and everlasting inheritance bought by the Son's agony and blood.

Following these plain directions from highest Authority, not to be complicated or mystified, leads to humble, careful, discreet service by those handling sacred things and directing canvassing and publishing work. Observing them means walking softly before God, working discreetly, ceasing to look to men for wisdom, refusing to place too heavy responsibility on one man or make one human a kingly voice for the whole, refusing to bind workers with yokes to human plans or make them amenable to finite minds, refusing to let human maxims control laborers, and refusing to place any man where he can lord it over God's heritage. Putting on all the armor rather than pieces means repenting and trusting the living God, making restitution by using His talents to best ability, rising above hindrances with God-given purpose, fighting manfully, taking up God-given work and special service, redeeming time, and becoming in every sense a person of opportunity, since money does not qualify for responsibility. In the present crisis every soul must personally decide to stand on God's side, gird for conflict, do own work and make own decisions, refuse to sustain another in wrong, reject worldly plans, customs, conniving, selfishness, dishonesty and craftiness, keep the eye single to God's glory with conscience cleansed, refined and ennobled by obedience, in holy boldness and stability, pressing the battle to the gates without relaxing vigilance from an assigned post to cooperate with Christ for perishing souls, with pledged power and grace to all sanctified through obedience.

Putting on the armor in camp-meeting and public work gains wonderful victories through obedience, strong in the Lord and not in self, self-confidence or self-sufficiency, able to stand against wiles in wrestling not against flesh and blood. Gospel peace ruling the heart expresses itself in praise and thanksgiving and Christlike words and deeds as fruit the Saviour longs to see, leaving no excuse for spiritual dearth, since the peace passing understanding is provided for all. Now is the time for every follower to be clothed awake at post instead of asleep, warning the world and exerting strong spiritual influence especially in camp meetings, fighting manfully against encroachments of darkness and spiritualistic sophistries, and to work the cities through sanctified truth with help from the Lord, clinging by faith to infinite power because God alone prepares the way. This means serving as faithful soldiers presenting truth, praying more, moving carefully, letting light shine brighter in every church, organizing Sabbath schools to train children in Bible study and bring in other children to convert them and reach parents through them, going with new zeal as missionaries in home and neighborhood, and arousing members to take burden for those who never heard rather than holding ministers to hover over churches.

Standing equipped with truth and righteousness is practical medical missionary work testifying to the sanctifying power of truth upon minds. True medical missionaries and physicians must fight manfully for God having on every piece, staying wide awake, vigilant, fully equipped for conflict, loyal to the Leader by obeying commandments, clothed with His righteousness and the Holy Spirit with His righteousness going before, speaking calmly for Christ rather than with ridicule or sarcasm, with Christ's meekness and lowliness, while God brings increase. Medical missionary work is the entering wedge of present truth by which hearts are reached and prejudice softened and subdued, turning others to the Healer who paid the ransom to withstand the enemy.

Everyone connected with preaching and publishing present truth must keep the whole armor on at all times because Satan is artful, busy and active and brings special power against them as special marks. This includes Sabbath-school workers showing fidelity as faithful soldiers of Jesus Christ, and all followers clothing themselves with righteousness to resist the enemy in Christ's name. Those held where work has been repeated are urged to take up armor and go out to labor rather than remain while others drift into unbelief and foundations are sacrificed, keeping armor continually against professed Adventist error and time-setting, serving firmly as soldiers rather than leaving for home concerns, since athletic training does not prepare for spiritual battles.

Having loins girt and breastplate on is for decisive battles God has to be fought, with a work committed to everyone and a call to young men and women to consecrate themselves and work with intensity to save the perishing out of Christ, because Satan is intense to deceive and gather souls under apostasy and rebellion. It is Christ's order for aggressive warfare to rescue the fallen and win them to loyalty, not war against one another but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness, with angels fighting beside those who keep armor on and never relax vigilance so they can never be conquered. The awake arise with eagerness and zeal to do faithful soldiers' thorough personal effort, surmount obstacles, hold vantage ground, and enter whitening harvest fields with primitive new life and power, acting as men waiting for the Lord in the clouds so souls are converted by hunting and fishing perseveringly whether fish are caught or not, standing ready for the great review by doing given work, showing firmness by faithful work, wrestling in prayer, and taking up work earnestly with love and vigor in reliance on God when carrying present truth to darkness.

Christians are soldiers drilling for actual service for Prince Immanuel as earnestly, painstakingly and thoroughly as armies train day after day for earthly service, including battle in different countries of Europe against tradition, superstition and error, practicing every duty until ready for emergency and learning to obey before fitted to command. The armor is given to be worn together in united effort under a common standard, not as one individual's armor, in humility esteeming others better than self, counseling together with much prayer and willingness to be advised, working in charity and love, venturing risks, doing best under circumstances without waiting for headquarters orders, adapting plans to habits of the country, refusing narrow cheap plans, keeping elevated mission character, and connecting with reforms where possible. On the field angels ascend and descend on shining brightness commissioned to draw nearer to fighters for defense, fellow believers must not pull weapons from fighters' hands nor hinder them for not working as expected, and eternal interests demand discipline, order and harmonious forward movement showing readiness amid responsibility.

Putting on heaven's armor means placing self under God's control to be led and guided, receiving increased faith and zeal from unseen allies, exhaustless resources, greatness of enterprise and power of the Leader, catching the steady tread of ordained events, and inspired by Him who gave life for the world going forth willing to do and dare knowing omnipotence supplies need. Divine power joins human effort to break the enemy's hold, equipping faithful workers to win from sin to righteousness and to go forward courageously with needs met, serving actively by grace not own strength, with heavenly help to every trusting soul weak or strong, rich or poor, and with courage and perseverance in answering the call to universal action in sounding the last message in perfect unity to the gates under the mighty Conqueror. Daily meditation, prayer and Scripture study connect believers with heaven to influence others for good, and wearing belt and breastplate equips Christ's followers for faithful efforts.

Being girded and righteous is individual preparation to make spiritual progress, stand on disputed ground, fight the good fight by earnest prayer, and wrestle not against flesh and blood while probation lasts for saving souls, spending no strength warring against fellow believers. Soldiers refuse to yield to men lest own soul be lost and others led astray, keeping God's glory in view which anoints eyes to see the world's dishonesty, craftiness, selfish eye-service, pretence, boasting, unfair dealing and grasping covetousness, and so girded take stand by precept and example to represent Christ and turn souls by sound principles, firm integrity, hatred of dissembling and holy boldness. This requires knowing God and Jesus Christ, building on knowledge of God as Creator and Redeemer and the plan of redemption, using intellect in touch with the Lord rather than as workshops for the devil, saying Speak Lord, closing ears to folly, keeping thoughts from betting hall and horse race, and running to win immortal crown. Those who see a world to save put on every piece with feet shod with gospel preparation, taking hold with heart, mind and soul, refusing to watch for flaws, attending to self, purifying soul by obeying truth, living out the Bible and studying fresh matter, loving present truth and heeding warnings line upon line, going as minutemen with converted tongues and gospel shoes as Christ traveled, serving as defense for the gospel with full equipment because wickedness is present, and continuing resisting and saving until released.

The call to whole armor was proved in producing the paper hindered by Satan through sickness and distress, met by trusting promises and continuing in prayer unto victory. Keeping it on means staying in right relation to God, pressing back the determined foe in Jesus' name, doing what can be done and leaving results with Him who loves souls more, becoming channels of light against every effort disputing every inch, since without full armor before satanic agencies there is defeat and unprepared trial. Wearing it every day belongs to continuous service doing each day's duties proportionate to powers in light of the Word and union with workers, growing in usefulness under divine guidance, laboring with prayer, watchfulness and perseverance for perishing souls so life's close finds none unprepared, standing and working just where God desires with close criticism of own devisings instead of self-devised plans, for God works with those who work with Him. So equipped God's servant contends successfully, wars at His charges with less self-assurance and more dependence as merciful minister, and fights valiantly letting light shine in a perverse nation.

Joined with gospel shoes, standing firm applies to stepping softly and carrying gospel peace in Jesus' footprints and walking softly before God. Being strong in the Lord means pleading and wrestling with God for blessing, carrying fewer responsibilities, giving no stumbling by example, and doing all to make peace. Parents are to give children God's Word as weapon and train them in the Lord's guidance to resist evil, cultivating daily a self-sacrificing spirit by word and example so children too can stand and fight, since readiness is not formed suddenly in trial. Readiness is first formed and proved in home duties with spiritual progress and perfection of character and earnest humble hearts knowing Christ abides within, then carried abroad and to church with whole armor for Christ's service, through daily consecration, study, obedience, self-sacrifice taught to children, labor for conversion and missionary spirit, pressing forward despite discouragement, strengthening soul moment by moment, youth striving to overcome defects unto victory, and all standing ready with angels seeking the lost amid differing field needs without forgetting gospel shoes.

Standing is required of messengers and watchmen on Zion's walls in closing scenes, walking in every ray of light as Christ is in light and holding to Calvary, strong in the Lord against wiles, to give the certain trumpet message now instead of leaving souls asleep. It means having the soul temple cleansed of prejudice and root of bitterness, clinging to the Mighty One, sharing light with cheerful courage, spreading personal faith, bringing heart, motives, desires and habits into full conformity with God's standard without partial obedience, persevering to highest standard against defects that would let evil triumph. Travelers to the New Jerusalem trust God's keeping and walk obediently on guard against agents ready to harm, engaging earnestly and self-sacrificingly to set truth before the world and warn it instead of pleading ease and leaving work to others, girding on Christ's imputed righteousness linking to the Infinite with cheerfulness, hope and faith as valiant soldiers entering thickest fight toward glorious victory and eternal reward. The armored become whole active soldiers free from defects, selfishness, unbelief and ease, advancing under orders with growing abilities through labor, in close relation to God exalting triumphant truth through faithful talents, harmony and sowing no doubt.

Debaters must remember warfare is not with men, not flesh and blood but principalities, powers and rulers of darkness, and therefore keep out of controversy refusing to join issues with the wily deceiver to prove position impregnable. Workers uplifting Jesus and the law need truth and righteousness amid opposition, keeping armor continually by remembering Christ the unchanging Rock, looking to Jesus and heeding every warning, trusting and obeying His words against satanic whisperings and changeable men who divert minds to falsities and erroneous positions, since trusting men and making flesh one's arm brings peril. It is time to put on armor of light, the gospel armor, by comprehending duty amid wicked cities, waking from sleep to arm for work, standing firmly under the third angel's banner with heaven's equipment of the Word, fighting perseveringly relying not on human wisdom but God's wisdom under the Holy Spirit's molding influence while discharging every duty, which alone secures against sin and every impropriety under a Leader never overcome. With clear discernment every piece guards against captivity, youth examining, praying and studying receive angelic help, truth and righteousness proclaim gospel peace, the gospel armor stands firm, and missionary platforms surrounded by angels save souls otherwise plunged into eternity.

Putting on whole armor means awaking from stupor, coldness, indifference and selfishness through diligent repentance, cleansing from neglect, conversion, rooting selfishness out, seeking the Lord for light, life and the Spirit's quickening, revealing sanctifying power in life, refusing to hinder God's evangelist and cooperating with him, engaging as fishers laboring house to house to teach seekers, by which workers gain education, and cooperating to establish and support sanitarium work with much prayer, self-denial and daily sanctified living. Ministers with feet shod take hold of evangelistic and medical work with heart, mind and soul pressing to far places with given facilities, ceasing flaw-picking, attending to own life, purifying soul by obeying truth, quoting, talking and living the Bible, which gives power, fresh matter and saving of souls. Education should equip youth with earthly and heavenly armor, joining an unbeliever gives Satan advantage outside protection, victory comes through Christ's strength, grace and righteousness, religious principle guards children against irreligious companions lest shame cast off protection, full confidence amid fables gives wisdom to discern fallacies and lift Bible truth, the fight of faith serves earnestly by sufficient grace with discernment guarding soul and church without love growing cold, last battles are fought manfully with warning against stumbling guarded by prayer at Jesus' feet, and full submission honors God, does His will daily and masters deception.

The armor equips believers to gain what Christ suffered to make possible, to live by faith holding unseen eternity ready to appear with Him in glory, and to consecrate all powers to truth and righteousness under Christ's control. It calls to teach truth as in Jesus with courage, to resist the devil pressing battle to the gates, breaking with the enemy and lining with Christ's soldiers and angels who minister needs and impress hearts through spoken truth, requiring discernment, prayer and ceasing faultfinding to co-labor with Christ unto overcoming, entrance through gates with nations keeping truth, and crown of eternal life. Putting on Christ's righteousness instead of remaining useless without God and hope means beginning work however little without depending on ministers, finding Helper in God with Christ at the right hand receiving every confidence, thinking of Jesus surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand waiting to do His bidding whom He sends to the weakest trusting saint, so high and low, rich and poor have same help, training youth by the Spirit to fight manfully rather than uplift self, and entering school life ransomed to resist harm.

Spiritual armor is needed for church perils and work to be done, with laborers equipped in righteousness, first clothed themselves before leading the destitute since none can lead into an experience not partaken, watchful to stand and do duties faithfully, putting on by faith to go forth to work. It means throwing all into active service, girding to fight manfully with honor bound to God's throne, treating attacks on truth as personal, refusing the outskirts lest falling prey to devices, refusing deception and ruin, coming off more than conquerors, standing firm by the gospel ready with armor on, putting on all meaning restitution and purpose since God helps those who help themselves, meeting opposition by active self-denying effort following Christ, and refusing desertion to the enemy through self-indulgence and careless pleasure misleading others.

Putting on armor refuses to draw back from newly opened work but finds entrance everywhere, laboring perseveringly in the Spirit to convert transgressors from lawbreaking to righteousness and Sabbath obedience, protecting city centers against confusion keeping people from truth, and working amid efforts to confuse. Wearing Christ's armor marshals believers under His banner as disciplined soldiers for active work not self, making them stewards to whom rich treasures of truth open as savor of life to themselves and through them to others while self-seekers receive nothing, expressing readiness, uniting to carry final warning bringing light to those without it, seeking conversion with Spirit-guided hearts, girding for earnest labor while time lasts, remaining faithful amid unbelief and opposition, continuing duty and speech amid difficulty, and staying prepared to meet opposition.

Only safety amid worldly evil and darkness is loins girt with truth, which preserves integrity against inducements dishonoring God, and God's people go out not in Saul's armor but with Christlike tenderness, compassion and love. Truth must enter the heart as living power shaping life to equip messengers for salvation, calling to wholehearted service, humble walk, and reliance on God's counsel not human wisdom or power. Messengers stand firm in faith relying on God not human ideas, ministers and medical missionaries combine teaching and healing clearing the highway and lifting the standard with certain sound in Washington, Baltimore, the South and East, speaking for God brings sustaining strength, buckling on armor with eyes only on truth holds firmly, southern workers stand trusting the Lord together without faultfinding, hiding in Jesus and working faithfully alongside workers meets the battle, and a praying mood fortifies against temptation.

Girding means becoming imbued with the Spirit for aggressive warfare with constant advancement, improving talents and growing in reverence, meeting the darkness-light battle bravely without teaching evasion of duty. Sentinels do given work with humble sincere impartiality, the clad press as heroes declaring gospel unfalteringly while strength declines with cheer toward reward, the girded stand against evil in eternal vigilance with loins ready in watchful hopeful soul-work, Christians loyally defend one another truthfully resisting envy and division, resolve moves forward in faith to spread the message, the Spirit fits cheerful not sad workers, difficult service is done humbly contritely in God's love and fear relying on Christ, the soldier goes hopefully sharing hard labor without discouraging talk, repentants are given opportunity to meet death with armor on, youth are encouraged to warfare, apostles advance invigorated reflecting Christ, the determined warn against apostasy when others turn untrue, and to stand for God is to be girded and covered while opponents in distorted light wear Satan's armor blinded to the Spirit's testimony as merely human. Success requires whole armor because iniquity abounds and love grows cold while truth flashes on every seeker's path, holding up Christ as able to save to the uttermost and putting away sin God hates, taking eyes from earth to heaven under temptation and refusing worldly standards that count nothing in God's day.

Standing in whole armor means readiness to go on a journey to help needy souls because sanctuary work is almost finished and work must be done while day lasts, holding faith in God to beat back Satan's oppression, with fasting and prayer bringing sure victory when not at first gained.

Obedient Character and Daily Victory

Truth and righteousness belong together as parts of God's spiritual armor, the one girding the believer and the other guarding like a breastplate over the heart and life. Standing in them is Christ's own prescription as Captain of salvation and great Healer for spiritual health and strength, given so that the enemy will not overcome. Obedience to that prescription brings victory through Christ, who supplies grace to all who cooperate with God.

Success in this warfare therefore requires watching and praying, seeking to do good and helping those who need help. Much prayer is the believer's strength in the conflict, while the eyes of angels are constantly upon him.