Your Devine Armor

The apostle Paul knew a thing or two about spiritual warfare. As a missionary and church planter, he regularly faced intense opposition. Sometimes that even included jail.

And it was in jail, guarded by Roman soldiers, that Paul gave us one of the most powerful Scripture truths about overcoming Satan: the armor of God. Just as a soldier would never have thought of going to battle without armor, so we shouldn’t go through our day without being fully equipped.

The list, found in Ephesians 6, helps us understand what we need to be protected against attack and able to fight back. As you read this list, I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you, revealing any areas where your armor might be missing or need an upgrade.

The first piece of armor is the belt of truth (verse 14). Truth is essential, because what we believe - about ourselves, about God, about life - dictates how we will act. Our beliefs need to be grounded in the truth of God’s Word.

The second is the body armor (or breastplate) of God’s righteousness (verse 14). Body armor covers our heart and other vital organs, protecting us from deadly blows. Spiritually, that body armor is Jesus’ righteousness. We are protected from guilt and condemnation by his righteousness, not our own.

The third is the shoes of peace (verse 15). Peace gives us steady footing amid the chaos and unpredictability of life. No matter what we face, we can stand firm in the peace of God.

The fourth is the shield of faith (verse 16). Faith deflects lies and other attacks like a shield blocks fiery arrows from the enemy. Our trust in God protects us from Satan’s attempts to deceive, discourage, or derail us.

The fifth is the helmet of salvation (verse 17). Salvation covers our mind like a helmet protects a soldier’s head, guarding our thoughts with truth. The more we understand God’s love for us, shown through Jesus, the more our mental health can flourish.

The sixth is the sword of the Spirit (verse 17). This is God’s Word. In the same way that Jesus fought Satan’s temptations with Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11), we also fight his lies and temptations with the truth of God’s Word.

Just like a soldier receiving his armor, Jesus equips us with his truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and power.

Are there any of these that you feel are missing or weak in your own life? Right now, tell that to God and ask for his help. The armor is his gift to you, and he is ready and willing to help you put it on.

Reflection Questions

1. Which of these articles of armor feels most present in my life today? How do I see them at work protecting me?
2. Which of these articles feels lacking or weak? What holes are in my armor? Am I believing any lies that are causing this, and if so, what truths from God’s Word can I use to quench those fiery arrows?
   
   Excerpt from "Understanding Spiritual Warfare" devotional by Dr. Mark Jones

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Life is war. Every day we face a battlefield filled with challenges, temptations, and fiery arrows of fear and doubt. But God has given us the armor to stand firm, and a piece of that armor is the shield of faith.

Faith isn’t blind optimism or wishful thinking - it’s rooted in the unchanging character of God. When we take up the shield of faith, we are declaring our trust in His goodness, His sovereignty, and His promises.

As the fiery arrows fly our way, the shield of faith reminds us: God is faithful, and He never fails. Trust not in what you see but in who He is.

- Kevin Carden

Provided by "Christian Digital Artwork"

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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. 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.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints - 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:14-17

Application Of God's Word: Ephesians 6:12

Verse: Ephesians 6:12
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.

Application:

These who are not "flesh and blood" are demons over whom Satan has control. They are not mere fantasies - they are very real. We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ's church. When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from him and back to sin. Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord's side. We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving us his Holy Spirit within us and his armor surrounding us. If you feel discouraged, remember Jesus' words to Peter: "Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it" (Matthew 16:18).

The purpose of putting on God's armor is to be able to stand against the schemes or stratagems of the devil or adversary. Christians are not to attack Satan or advance against him; they are only to “stand” or hold the territory Christ and His body, the church, have conquered. Without God's armor believers will be defeated by the “schemes” of the devil which have been effective for thousands of years.

The struggle is not physical (against flesh and blood); it is a spiritual conflict against the spiritual “Mafia.” Though the ranks of satanic forces cannot be fully categorized, the first two (rulers and authorities) have already been mentioned in Ephesians 1:21 and 3:10. Paul added the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil. Their sphere of activity is in the heavenly realms, the fifth occurrence of this phrase, which is mentioned in the New Testament only in Ephesians 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12. Satan, who is in the heavens (Ephesians 2:2) until he will be cast out in the middle of the Tribulation (Revelation 12:9-10), is trying to rob believers of the spiritual blessings God has given them (Ephesians 1:3).

Resources:

"Life Application Study Bible" by Tyndale House Publishers
"The Bible Knowledge Commentary" by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12-13

Q&A: What Is The "Full Armor of God"?

The phrase “full armor of God” comes from Ephesians 6:13-18:

“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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints -”

Ephesians 6:12 clearly indicates that the conflict with Satan is spiritual, and therefore no tangible weapons can be effectively employed against him and his minions. We are not given a list of specific tactics Satan will use. However, the passage is quite clear that when we follow all the instructions faithfully, we will be able to stand, and we will have victory regardless of Satan’s strategy.

The first element of our armor is truth (Ephesians 6:14). This belt immediately sets the believer apart from the world, since Satan is the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Deception is high on the list of things God considers to be an abomination. A “lying tongue” is one of the things He describes as “detestable to Him” (Proverbs 6:16-17). We are therefore exhorted to put on truth for our own sanctification and deliverance, as well as for the benefit of those to whom we witness.