ROMANS 13:12

“The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore, let’s rid ourselves of the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

If we want to fight the battles that come our way in our walk with Christ, we must be properly equipped. Too many followers of Christ are inadequately equipped for battle. As a result, they face defeat after defeat by trying to take on the forces of evil by themselves. Many think they can just tough it out. That’s a recipe for failure. Let’s take a look at this “armor of light” Paul refers to in today’s verse.

Paul certainly knew that he had to be equipped for battle. Just go back and read about Paul’s battles. He had a lot of them. He didn’t strap on a sword and start swinging. No, he bathed himself in prayer and in the Word of God. We’re going to see something interesting in today’s verse, though. When I read this verse in the English, I naturally assumed that the word “armor” was the same word that is used over in Ephesians 6:11 where Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God. That’s the Greek word panoplía which refers to the complete set of defensive and offensive weapons. That is not the word used in today’s verse. Let’s look at the difference.

APPLICATION

The word used in today’s verse is hóplon which is defined by HELPS Word-studies as “an implement (normally used for warfare). In the NT, hóplon (instrument) is always in the plural (weapons to wage war).” We see this used six times in the New Testament. One of my favorites is in 2 Corinthians 10:4 (which I have referenced multiple times). It says, “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” Don’t you just love that these “weapons” are in the plural? God doesn’t just give us one weapon. We have many!

In fact, hóplon “underlines that God always gives all the resources we need to prevail in every form of spiritual warfare – as we live in faith” (HELPS Word-studies). Back in Romans 6:13 we saw this word used. “and do not go on presenting the parts of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead, and your body’s parts as instruments of righteousness for God.” Again, it’s in the plural. This “armor,” these “weapons” are “instruments” to be used for righteousness.

Just as a surgeon uses different instruments as he operates, we have different weapons or instruments to wage war against darkness. And don’t forget that they are bathed in the light of Christ. If we are diligent to use His weapons and not our own, we will be victorious over every stronghold. So, be equipped, my beloved.

Father God, thank You for equipping us so well for battle. Help me rely on Your weapons and not my own.

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