我和妻子每年都會騎腳踏車達數百公里。我們會沿著西密西根州的小路騎行，為了豐富體驗，我們還安裝一些配件。妻子的腳踏車加裝前燈、後燈、里程表與車鎖；我的腳踏車裝上水壺架。事實上，這些配件雖有幫助，但卻可有可無。就算沒有這些配件，我們依舊天天順利騎車上路，累積里程。

在以弗所書中，使徒保羅提到了另一組配件，但卻不是可有可無的。他說我們必須「穿戴」這些裝備，才能真正活出基督信仰。你我的人生並不是輕鬆的旅程，我們是處於戰鬥狀態，必須隨時「抵擋魔鬼的詭計」（6章11節），因此我們必須裝備齊全。

沒有聖經的智慧，我們就會受影響而是非不分。沒有耶穌幫助我們活出祂的「真理」，我們就會誤信謊言（14節）。沒有「福音」，就沒有「平安」（15節）。沒有「信德」的盾牌保護，我們就會被懷疑壓垮（16節）。上帝所賜的「救恩」與聖靈能堅固我們，讓你我能為上帝而活（17節）。這一整套就是你我的屬靈軍裝。

我們行在人生的旅途中，得到保護且免受真正的危險至關重要。現在就讓我們接受基督的裝備，「穿戴」上帝提供的軍裝，迎接人生的種種挑戰。

My wife and I put hundreds of miles on our bikes each year, pedaling the trails around West Michigan. To enhance the experience, we have some accessories that we’ve attached to our bikes. Sue has a front light, a back light, an odometer, and a bike lock. My bike has a water-bottle holder. In reality, we could ride our route successfully every day and rack up all those miles without the extras. They’re helpful but optional.

In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul writes about another set of accessories—but these aren’t optional. He said we must “put on” these things to be successful in living out our faith in Jesus. Our lives aren’t easy rides. We’re in a battle in which we must “stand against the devil’s schemes” (6:11), so we must be well equipped.

Without the wisdom of Scripture, we can be swayed to accept error. Without Jesus helping us live out His “truth,” we’ll give in to lies (v. 14). Without the “gospel,” we’ll have no “peace” (v. 15). Without “faith” shielding us, we’ll succumb to doubt (v. 16). Our “salvation” and the Holy Spirit anchor us to live well for God (v. 17). This is our armor.

How vital that we travel the pathways of life protected from its real dangers. We do that when Christ equips us for the challenges along the way—when we “put on” the armor God provides.