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In Ephesians 6:10-18, we find the well-known “Armor of God.” It’s important to understand that what Paul describes are not items but tactics.
Each “piece” of the armor of God is described with a metaphor (ex. belt, breastplate, shield, etc.) and with a virtue (ex. truth, righteousness, faith, etc.). But don’t forget, each sentence contains a verb (ex. fastening, putting on, taking up, etc.). This means that we don’t just look at the armor of God and memorize a colorful metaphor or visualize putting it on. Instead, as disciples of Jesus Christ, we employ the tactics described by the armor of God.
The first tactic was to tell the truth. The second is to do what is right: “…and having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (v14).
When we face a day of hardship, an “evil day” (v13), the devil will prove to be a false comforter. We are defended by God’s armor when we decide that we will not comfort ourselves with unrighteousness. A lie won’t make things better. Shouting abuse will not help. Trying to get someone fired is not what God is refining in your character right now.
Do what is right: “…and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (4:24). Put off evil and put on Christ. Do right when others don’t do right. Even if others would excuse doing wrong in your situation, do what is right. Don’t do wrong to do right. Don’t celebrate wrongdoing in the name of Christ. Do the next right thing.
Do you want comfort on a bad day, an “evil day”? Of course you do. “For the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true” (5:9). Light bears the fruit, so to speak, of warmth and vision, of comfort and direction. And how do we get warmth, vision, comfort, direction? From what is good and right and true, never from what is unrighteous. Don’t let the devil comfort you. Even in, and especially in, the days of loss, grief, sorrow, frustration, and pain, be comforted in Christ and do what is right. That’s God’s armor for you.