The Armor of God: Strengthening Us in Spiritual Warfare
Ephesians 6:10-11 tells us, “Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
This excerpt from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is an exhortation for Christians to stand firm in the spiritual battle against the evil forces of the devil. In this passage, Paul uses the analogy of armor to illustrate the importance of preparing ourselves to face the devil’s tactics.
The armor of God is made up of six parts: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. Each of these pieces plays an important role in protecting the Christian from the wiles of the devil.
belt of truth
The first piece of armor is the belt of truth, which is described in Ephesians 6:14 : “Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth.” The belt was a fundamental part of Roman armor, serving to protect the internal organs and keep the other pieces in place.
Likewise, the belt of truth protects the Christian against the lies of the devil, who seeks to confuse and deceive. The truth is the foundation upon which all our faith is built, and we must stand on it to resist the temptations and snares of the enemy.
In addition to girding our loins with the truth, Jesus also said that the truth would make us free (John 8:32). When we know the truth, we are freed from the devil’s deception and oppression. That’s why it’s so important to study God’s Word so that we can know the truth and stand firm in it.
breastplate of justice
The second piece of armor is the breastplate of righteousness, which is described in Ephesians 6:14 : “…and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” The breastplate was vital protection for the Roman soldier, covering the upper body and protecting the heart and vital organs.
Likewise, the breastplate of righteousness protects the Christian against the temptations of the devil, who seeks to lead us astray from the path of righteousness and holiness. Righteousness is righteousness before God, which is bestowed upon us through faith in Jesus Christ. When we put on the breastplate of righteousness, we are putting on the righteousness of Christ and protecting ourselves against the devil’s accusations.
Jesus said that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled (Matthew 5:6). When we seek God’s righteousness, we are filled with his presence and become able to resist the enemy’s temptations. God’s righteousness enables us to live a life that honors Him and makes us invulnerable to the devil’s attacks.
Sandals of Peace
The third piece of armor is the sandals of peace, mentioned in Ephesians 6:15: “Have your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Sandals were essential for the protection and mobility of the Roman soldier, allowing him to march steadily over any terrain.
The sandals of peace represent the readiness and firmness that come from the gospel of peace. As Christians, we are called to take the gospel message everywhere and share the peace that comes from a relationship with God.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you” (John 14:27). This peace transcends circumstances and strengthens us to face adversity. When we are shod with the sandals of peace, we are able to stand firm in the midst of tribulations, maintaining hope and serenity.
shield of faith
The fourth piece of armor is the shield of faith, mentioned in Ephesians 6:16: “Above all, take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” The shield was a crucial defense for the Roman soldier, used to block enemy attacks.
The shield of faith is essential for protecting our minds and hearts from the devil’s attacks. Faith allows us to trust God and his promises, even when we face difficulties and doubts. It is through faith that we receive salvation and all spiritual blessings.
Jesus said, “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move” (Matthew 17:20). Faith enables us to overcome challenges and resist temptation. As we lift up the shield of faith, we are able to extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one and keep our trust in God unshakable.
Helmet of Salvation
The fifth piece of armor is the helmet of salvation, mentioned in Ephesians 6:17: “Take also the helmet of salvation.” The helmet was essential to protect the Roman soldier’s head, where the mind and thoughts were.
The helmet of salvation represents the security we have in Christ Jesus. Salvation is a free gift from God, received through faith in Jesus and repentance of our sins. By wearing the helmet of salvation, we are protecting our minds against the devil’s lies and strengthening our identity as children of God.
Paul wrote in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other thing creature will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When we put on the helmet of salvation, we recognize that we are loved, forgiven, and belonging to God. This certainty strengthens us against the doubts and insecurities that the enemy tries to throw at us. The helmet of salvation reminds us that we are protected by God’s grace and that nothing can separate us from his love.
Sword of the Spirit
The sixth and final piece of armor is the sword of the Spirit, mentioned in Ephesians 6:17: “And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The sword was the weapon of attack of the Roman soldier, used to fight the enemy.
The sword of the Spirit represents the Word of God, the Bible. It is our mighty weapon against the devil’s deceitful strategies. Just as Jesus used the Word of God to resist temptations in the wilderness, we must also know and apply the Word in our lives.
Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” The Word of God is living and powerful, able to guide, correct and protect us.
By wielding the sword of the Spirit, we are able to reject the devil’s lies and declare God’s truth over our lives. It enables us to resist temptation and meet the enemy’s attacks with authority and wisdom.
Conclusion
As we move forward on the journey of faith, we face a constant spiritual battle. However, God has provided us with a complete suit of armor to protect and strengthen us in this battle. As we put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and wield the sword of the Spirit, we are equipped to withstand the wiles of the devil.
We must remember that our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen ourselves in the Lord, seeking His presence, studying His Word and living in obedience to His commandments.
May we coat ourselves daily with the armor of God, trusting in His protection and providing strength to win the spiritual battles we face. May the Holy Spirit guide and enable us to stand firm in the faith, being courageous witnesses of God’s love and power in a world increasingly dominated by darkness.
As we deepen our understanding of the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10-18, we are reminded that we do not fight alone. God himself is with us in all spiritual battles. He is our mighty defender and the provider of all the necessary tools for victory.
Also, as we put on the armor of God, we must not forget the importance of prayer. In verse 18 of Ephesians 6 , Paul encourages us to “pray at all times with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” Prayer is a means by which we connect directly with God, seeking His guidance, strength and protection in all situations.
As we face life’s challenges, let us remember that the spiritual battle is real and ongoing. The armor of God is our defense against the wiles of the devil. Therefore, let us daily prepare ourselves, putting on truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and wielding the sword of the Spirit. Let us stand firm in the Lord and trust in his ability to protect and strengthen us.
May this Bible study encourage us to pursue a life of intimacy with God, to study and meditate on His Word, to strengthen our faith, and to live as courageous spiritual warriors. May we always be ready to face the spiritual battles that come our way, trusting in the promise that, with the armor of God, we can resist and prevail against the wiles of the devil.
