December 11, 2021: Armed to the Teeth

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11, NKJV).

“The term ‘armed to the teeth’ originated in Port Royal Jamaica in the 1600s when pirates were constantly looking for ships to loot and their guns were very primitive. As a result, pirates could shoot only once before a long reloading process. Consequently, they needed to carry a gun in each hand, and perhaps in each pocket. For extra power, they would also hold a knife between their teeth. To be ‘armed to the teeth’ means to carry the maximum number of weapons possible.”*

Because we are in a war against the devil, we need to be “armed to the teeth.” The Bible is our weapons store, our armory where we may arm ourselves for the struggle. Our loins must be gird about with truth. Our breastplate must be righteousness. Our feet must be fit with shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace. The shield of faith must be in our hand. Our sword, the Word of God, must be in hand. Our head must be covered with the helmet of salvation. And we know where our help comes from: “[Our] help comes from the Lord” (Ps. 121:2, NKJV).

We have a General—Jesus Christ. When He died on the cross and rose on the third day, He obtained victory over the powers of death and the evil one. Jesus has never lost a battle, and He never will. He has promised us victory at the start of our battle and has given us victory at the end. So let us arm ourselves to the teeth!

Lord, may we put on the whole armor of God every day. Amen.

Kelly Strickland is an elder at the Rehoboth church in Pennsylvania.

* timesofindia.indiatimes.com/what-is-the-origin-of-the-term-armed-to-the-teeth/ articleshow/274090.cms (accessed November 19, 2020).