Armor of God – The Promise

Often in combat, in military chaplains’ messages, and in parishes, reference is made to putting on “the Armor of God,” living with faith in that protection promised by St. Paul in Ephesians 6:11, strength and comfort in raw combat. There is more, I think.

In my view, every day is – especially in modern America – we face a kind of spiritual combat, attacks on our moral compass, and disorienting noise. That noise is an invitation to be our lesser selves, indulge our worst instincts, regardless of context.

Ephesians 6:11-13 says, when confronting this kind of evil: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness in this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

St. Paul is saying what we all know, but so often forget. The most powerful things in the universe are invisible, from gravity, magnetism, and dark matter to love and hope, from unknowable numbers to evil’s lures and God’s promises.

Imagine this warning being given – guidance and affirmation of strength through commitment to a loving God – almost 2000 years ago; and yet it still resonates. If some things change, others never do. The presence of evil in the world is timeless.

Just as timeless is the affirmation of a loving God that protects, that is ever present, always around us, and that guides us forward – if we will listen, be alert, follow.

Of course, modern media and social media, together with many in power, are quick to replace God with Government, erase faith from our lives, books, schools, laws, and workaday worlds.

To speak of things like putting on the “Armor of God” to some is clear, part of our nation’s history, comforting, and real, while to others it is threatening or unknown.

The nub: We can live with anxiety and fear, including of government, or be motivated by independent thought, sidestep the resentments and fear, not replace God with Government, instead remember the promises, and accept them.

There is nothing more out of touch than imagining that America was not the product of divine providence, especially on our 250th anniversary. We were founded by believers in The Creator, Hand of Providence, in the life of the nation, and in all lives.

Bluntly, some Founders were Baptist, some Quaker, some Methodist, some Catholic, some Anglican, some Presbyterian, some Congregationalist, some Lutheran, some Dutch Reformists – but all were clear about God’s presence.

Thinking that an Internet guru will fix your wants, government – paid by others – will fix your needs, that America is an accident, is folly. From my perspective, this matters.

Man does not create the miracle of a baby, the miracle of a thunderstorm, the miracle of inexplicable gravity, electromagnetism, nebulae, magnificent flowers, and trees.

Those are – and science can only describe them – the miracles as known to our Founders, the same Hand of Providence they depended on to protect them in forming America, the same faith and humility found in St. Paul to the Ephesians.

So, what is to be made of all this? Just a plea to rethink things, to see in those miracles, including God’s protection of America, the power of rightly placed faith. There is no salvation in government, only in a loving God, who offers His armor.

Peter wrote: “Live such good lives…that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God…having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” Peter was saying what Paul did: Put on that armor, use it. 

In my view, while not a scholar, this is what the “armor of God” means. We wake up aware of the challenges – but also of our loving God. We seek His help in that purpose and mission each day brings. Do this, and it works out. That is the promise.

Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!