11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Ephesians 6:11–18
Because godliness is an active part of salvation, Paul uses verbs to describe how sanctification is achieved. He says that the first step in growing in holiness is to run away from sinful things.
The Christian life is not just running away from sin but we also must be running toward something else. So, he gives us a few things to run after, to pursue, to follow.
And finally, we are called to fight for faith. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, we wrestle against principalities and powers. This is a war. It is a war against the flesh and indwelling sin. It’s a war against the world and its hostility towards God. It’s a war against Satan and all of his hosts, and that means you and I, we are to put on the whole armor of God.