What is the Armor of God?
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6: 10-13)
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6: 14-18)
What is Spiritual Warfare?
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)
The real battle that rages in our dark world is not with flesh and blood (humans) – even though it may feel like it is all about them. The real battle is against evil in this world and in the heavenly realms. The real enemy is not the person who is hurting or offending you – the real enemy is the one who is using them: Satan.
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes…13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-11, 13)
How can you battle an enemy you cannot see? How can you ever hope to overcome such a strong enemy? God has provided spiritual armor to protect and empower us to fight spiritual battles. We are to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
This armor is only available to those who have accepted Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord. In doing so, we have received the gift of God’s Holy Spirit. Because Jesus has already overcome the evil one, we too can have victory over that enemy.
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33)
The Belt of Truth
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist… (Ephesians 6: 14)
Why do you suppose the Belt of Truth is the first item you put on before you fight a spiritual battle? Because the enemy is a master of deceit and his lies can feel so true. But when we ask Jehovah God to show us what is really true versus what feels true, God will show us the truth. Until we know the truth and can see it for what it is, we don’t even realize when we are under spiritual attack.
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8: 32)
The Breastplate of Righteousness
…with the breastplate of righteousness in place (Ephesians 6: 14)
The Breastplate of Righteousness guards our hearts. It keeps our emotions and motivations on track. With this breastplate in place, the enemy won’t be able twist our emotions and use them against us.
Our heart needs to remain pure so that our acts display righteousness. It is about doing things God’s way – not our own. It is about God’s righteousness – not self-righteousness. It is not self-serving. It is all about God.
2 The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart (Psalm 15: 2)
Feet fitted with the Gospel of Peace
15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6: 15)
When our feet are fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace, we are ready to step forward and take action as God directs. The gospel of peace is the good news about salvation through Jesus Christ. We need to be ready to go wherever God sends us.
7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52: 7)
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10: 14-15)
The Shield of Faith
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6: 16)
The evil one tries to sow seeds of doubt but when we know the truth and hold onto it, our faith in God is unshakable. The enemy is not able to pierce our shield when our faith is strong. His arrows cannot hit their mark when we hold onto our faith.
The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4: 4)
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14: 12-13)
The Helmet of Salvation
17 Take the helmet of salvation… (Ephesians 6: 17)
We have been saved through Jesus Christ. We need to guard our mind and take every thought captive. We are to remember the reason for the hope that is in us.
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10: 5)
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Peter 3: 15)
The Sword of the Spirit
…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6: 17)
Up to this point, the armor of God has been protective/defensive in nature. Now a powerful weapon has been provided: the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Those words are recorded in the Holy Bible.
God’s words are powerful. God spoke the world into existence (Genesis 1). When Jesus was temped by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus rebuked Satan with Scripture (Matthew 4) (Luke 4). When Jesus returns, he will defeat the world’s armies with a double edged sword that comes from his mouth (Revelation 19).
15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. (Revelation 19: 15)
Pray in the Spirit
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6: 18)
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