The Armor of God

Life is full of challenges and obstacles that we all must overcome and the Bible tells us that the evil one, the devil, is prowling like a lion, seeking whom he may devour. We are constantly bombarded by negativity, strife, and wickedness wherever we look; in TV shows, on the news, on social media, and more.

However, there is great news from the Word of God! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have mighty tools at our disposal to defend against spiritual wickedness and even to fight back!

Why Do We Need the Armor of God?

The armor of God is our best line of defense against the attacks of the enemy and the contagious negativity that surrounds us.

The Bible tells us that every one of us was created in God’s image(Genesis 1: 27). God is spirit and so are we. We have a body, a mind, and a spirit.

Our spirit is just as real as our body and mind; just as one must wear protective armor if one goes into battle, we must don the full armor of God to withstand the evil schemes of the wicked one.

• “Put on the full armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6: 11

Although some of our battles may indeed be in the physical realm, the truth is that the majority of our battles are fought in the spirit.

• “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6: 12

There is a gargantuan battle raging over our hearts and minds. God desires for us to have life and to have it more abundantly, but the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. This is why it is so important for us to put on the full armor of God!

What is The Armor of God?

We can read about the armor of God in the Book of Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10 through 20.

The Bible tells us that there are 6 unique pieces to the armor of God, each one serving a specific purpose and performing an equally important role as the other.

The Belt of Truth

• “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with the truth…” Ephesians 6: 14

The belt is one of the most important parts of a suit of armor, for it is the belt that serves to hold the lower half of the armor in place. Without the belt securely fastened around one’s waist, a major part of the suit of armor will not be functional.

The belt serves as a type of foundation and perhaps this is the reason that the Lord lists this piece first before any of the other pieces.

In the same way that the belt serves as a foundation for the suit of armor, the Truth of God’s Word serves as the foundation of living an authentic Christian life. If our hearts and minds are not founded in the truth of God’s Word, then we have no access to the benefits afforded to God’s children.

We must clothe ourselves with the Belt of Truth, knowing that God’s Word holds the keys to being overcomers through the power of Jesus Christ.

The Breastplate of Righteousness

• “…having put on the breastplate of righteousness…” Ephesians 6: 14

The breastplate is the largest piece of the armor and serves to protect the heart and all of the major organs of the body.

Those worn in Biblical times were usually made of solid bronze. While it is the heaviest part of the armor, it is also one of the most important because it protects all of the vital organs of the body.

The breastplate is held in place at the top by thick leather straps and at the bottom is usually secured to the belt with a series of loops. Every piece of armor is interconnected…if just one piece of the armor is missing, the whole suit loses its integrity.

Our hearts are intensely important to God. Unlike this world, which judges based on outward appearances, the Bible tells us that the Lord does not judge based on outward aspects, but rather on the intentions of the heart.

• “…For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16: 7

• “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23

It is important that we guard our hearts against the things of the flesh: lust, pride, selfishness, anger, unforgiveness, arrogance, hatred, discontentment, ungratefulness, etc. On the contrary, we should strive to fill our hearts with the Fruits of the Spirit, which are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness gentleness, and self-control.

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

• “…and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace;” Ephesians 6: 15

Although shoes may not be the first thing that we notice when looking at someone, when it comes to the armor of God, the shoes are no less important than any of the other pieces of armor.

For a soldier, foot protection is a must, and has either won or lost many a battle throughout the course of history. If our feet are not protected, we are, essentially, immobilized.

The Bible says, “the preparation of the Gospel of Peace”; this means that we must be fully prepared with the knowledge of and the willingness to share the Gospel of Peace with the world.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, therefore, when we put on the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, we are ready and prepared to shine the light of Christ into the dark world around us!

The Shield of Faith

• “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Ephesians 6: 16

The Roman soldiers of Jesus’ day would have carried shields that were large enough to cover the entire body from head to toe.

Soldiers on the front lines would take their shields and overlap the edges of them with that of the soldier to their left and right, effectively creating a nearly impenetrable wall with which they would push and drive back the opposing forces and guard the lines of infantrymen behind them.

In spite of the fact that shields are often thought of as merely defensive tools, the Roman shield, was supremely effective in pushing back the enemy lines.

The Bible says, “above all, taking the shield of faith”. This indicates that the Shield of Faith is perhaps the most important of all the pieces of the armor of God. The shield covers from head to toe, it is the first and largest line of defense.

• “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2: 8-9

Our very salvation depends on our faith. We are saved by God’s grace through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the price that he paid for our sins when He freely shed His blood for us on the cross of Calvary.

Thus, the Shield of Faith is immensely important to our success.

The Helmet of Salvation

• “And take the helmet of salvation,” Ephesians 6: 17

It has been said that the helmet would often be the last piece of armor donned by a soldier just before going into battle.

In many depictions, we see images of knights or soldiers carrying their helmets in their hands or in the crook of their arms while walking amongst their own encampment. However, no soldier would ever dare enter the battlefield without first putting on his helmet.

The helmet is responsible for protecting one of the most important parts of the body, the head. Our heads not only contain our brains with which we control the rest of our bodies, but house our eyes, our ears, our nose, and our mouth. If we suffer brain damage, our whole body is affected, likely knocking us out of the fight altogether.

We must never forget to “take the helmet of salvation” because it is the our last line of defense against the enemy.

Salvation through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ ensures that, if all else fails, we have a blessed assurance that even in death, we shall be united together with our Lord.

The Sword of the Spirit

• “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God;” Ephesians 6: 17

The sword of the Spirit sets itself apart from the rest of our list in the manner that it is almost exclusively thought of as an offensive weapon. However, swords can also be used parry against enemy blows.

A sharp sword is truly a deadly weapon in the hands of a skilled and experienced warrior, but with that skill also comes the ability to block the attacks of the enemy.

God’s Word is a mighty sword in the hands of a Christian on the battlefields of life. When the devil comes against us, we can fight back with the Word of God.

Just as a sword was a great offensive or defensive weapon in the hands of a skilled trooper, the Holy Scriptures can be a powerful tool in our battle against the forces of darkness. This means that studying the scripture is a necessity for our survival and that the armor of God is never complete without the Sword of the Spirit!

How we Can Put on the Armor of God:

As Christians, we desperately need the full armor of God to guard us and protect us from the plans of the devil and to overcome any obstacle in our paths.

Here are some ways that you too can put on the full armor of God:

1. We must read and believe the truth of God’s Word, for His Truth gives us a sure foundation.
2. We must earnestly seek to walk in righteousness. We must live in Christ and Christ must live in us, for by His righteousness we have been saved and not our own.
3. We must be prepared and ready to share the great, glorious Gospel of Peace!
4. We must walk by faith and not by sight.
5. We must fully trust and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, for there is no other name given among heaven and earth by which we must be saved.
6. We must study the Holy Scriptures to show ourselves approved.

God Bless You

I pray that you have been strengthened and encouraged in the in the Lord today!

May the God of heaven and earth strengthen us and may we all put on the Full Armor of God each and every day!

God Bless You all!