The Armor of God
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” - Ephesians 6:10-17 NLT
I can’t count the number of times I have heard a message about the armor of God; but as I was reading this passage the other day in my quiet time, I feel like the emphasis has been placed on the pieces of armor and not necessarily what they represent. While it’s important to remember each piece (belt, body armor, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword), we need to focus on what each stands for: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God.
Belt of TRUTH:
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” - John 8:32 NLT
Just as a belt is used to hold our pants in place, the belt of TRUTH holds our spiritual armor in place. It is also used to hold a soldier’s sword. Our armor has to be grounded in the TRUTH of God’s Word, not what we or the world determines is truth. This is directly connected, both figuratively and literally, to the sword of the Spirit. God’s truth is the only thing that will set us free from all the lies we tell ourselves and the lies the enemy uses to keep us from all God has for us.
Body Armor (or breastplate) of GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS:
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines righteousness as “acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin; morally right or justifiable.” This body armor is not based on our righteousness, which is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), but rather on God’s righteousness.
“Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails.” - Psalms 111:3 NLT
God’s actions are always in accordance with the divine law He established in the Old Testament and Jesus fulfilled in the New Testament. The breastplate protects our heart and chest area.
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” - Proverbs 4:23 NLT
We have to choose every day to put on God’s righteousness, His divine law, as we step out into the world that would try to tell us to do something other than what God has asked of us.
Shoes of PEACE:
“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:7 NLT
“Preparation of the gospel of peace…” or “peace that comes from the Good News…” are two translations of the same verse but still imply the peace that comes from the Good News of the Gospel. This good news can bring peace even when the storm is raging all around us. It’s not a peace based on anything we have or can do, but only in what God can do and produce in our lives.
Shield of FAITH:
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” - Hebrews 11:1 NLT
When we hold up the shield of FAITH, we protect ourselves from the attack of the enemy. Ephesians says, “to stop the fiery arrows of the devil…”, so by holding up the shield of FAITH, we believe that God will defend and protect us against any attack and come through when we need Him, regardless of what the situation may look like in the physical. We must have FAITH that God is working on our behalf, even when we can’t see it.
Helmet of SALVATION:
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” - Romans 10:9 NLT
Merriam-Webster’s definition of salvation is, “deliverance from the power and effects of sin.” By putting on the helmet of SALVATION, we are choosing every day to follow God and His ways. Yes, there is that moment where we have to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord of our lives, but it’s also a daily decision to walk in it. I don’t know about you, but I have to fight against the false narrative that runs through my mind. But if I continually put on the helmet of SALVATION, I recognize that what God says about me is the truth, “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV
Sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD:
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” - Hebrews 4:12 NLT
When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he used God’s Word, but a twisted version of it. How did Jesus respond? He used God’s Word accurately to refute Satan. But we have to KNOW God’s Word to be able to use it as a weapon against the enemy’s attack. That requires us to open the Word and read to understand and not just to check it off the list. As we read the Bible, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. In the Old Testament, God gets frustrated with the people of Israel for choosing false gods instead of the one true God, and they were going to go through tough times because of their decision. God’s Word can bring life, but it can also illuminate attitudes, behaviors, and actions that are not of God. God can speak to us directly, but He will also shed light in the dark places of our hearts as we read His Word.
As you prepare for the day, don’t forget to put on God’s truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation, and always carry the Word of God!
ACTIVATION: Take a few minutes every morning to put on the armor of God, processing what each piece of the armor represents and choosing to walk in that attribute throughout your day.
PRAYER: God, thank You for Your armor that protects me from the attack of the enemy. Thank You for Your Truth, Your Righteousness, Your Peace, Your Faith, Your Salvation and Your Word. Remind me to put on Your armor every day so I can face whatever may come my way that day. Illuminate any area of my life where I have followed something other than You. I repent of my mistakes and ask for the strength to choose Your Way over my own. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!
I can’t count the number of times I have heard a message about the armor of God; but as I was reading this passage the other day in my quiet time, I feel like the emphasis has been placed on the pieces of armor and not necessarily what they represent. While it’s important to remember each piece (belt, body armor, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword), we need to focus on what each stands for: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God.
Belt of TRUTH:
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” - John 8:32 NLT
Just as a belt is used to hold our pants in place, the belt of TRUTH holds our spiritual armor in place. It is also used to hold a soldier’s sword. Our armor has to be grounded in the TRUTH of God’s Word, not what we or the world determines is truth. This is directly connected, both figuratively and literally, to the sword of the Spirit. God’s truth is the only thing that will set us free from all the lies we tell ourselves and the lies the enemy uses to keep us from all God has for us.
Body Armor (or breastplate) of GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS:
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines righteousness as “acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin; morally right or justifiable.” This body armor is not based on our righteousness, which is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), but rather on God’s righteousness.
“Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails.” - Psalms 111:3 NLT
God’s actions are always in accordance with the divine law He established in the Old Testament and Jesus fulfilled in the New Testament. The breastplate protects our heart and chest area.
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” - Proverbs 4:23 NLT
We have to choose every day to put on God’s righteousness, His divine law, as we step out into the world that would try to tell us to do something other than what God has asked of us.
Shoes of PEACE:
“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:7 NLT
“Preparation of the gospel of peace…” or “peace that comes from the Good News…” are two translations of the same verse but still imply the peace that comes from the Good News of the Gospel. This good news can bring peace even when the storm is raging all around us. It’s not a peace based on anything we have or can do, but only in what God can do and produce in our lives.
Shield of FAITH:
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” - Hebrews 11:1 NLT
When we hold up the shield of FAITH, we protect ourselves from the attack of the enemy. Ephesians says, “to stop the fiery arrows of the devil…”, so by holding up the shield of FAITH, we believe that God will defend and protect us against any attack and come through when we need Him, regardless of what the situation may look like in the physical. We must have FAITH that God is working on our behalf, even when we can’t see it.
Helmet of SALVATION:
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” - Romans 10:9 NLT
Merriam-Webster’s definition of salvation is, “deliverance from the power and effects of sin.” By putting on the helmet of SALVATION, we are choosing every day to follow God and His ways. Yes, there is that moment where we have to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord of our lives, but it’s also a daily decision to walk in it. I don’t know about you, but I have to fight against the false narrative that runs through my mind. But if I continually put on the helmet of SALVATION, I recognize that what God says about me is the truth, “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV
Sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD:
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” - Hebrews 4:12 NLT
When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he used God’s Word, but a twisted version of it. How did Jesus respond? He used God’s Word accurately to refute Satan. But we have to KNOW God’s Word to be able to use it as a weapon against the enemy’s attack. That requires us to open the Word and read to understand and not just to check it off the list. As we read the Bible, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. In the Old Testament, God gets frustrated with the people of Israel for choosing false gods instead of the one true God, and they were going to go through tough times because of their decision. God’s Word can bring life, but it can also illuminate attitudes, behaviors, and actions that are not of God. God can speak to us directly, but He will also shed light in the dark places of our hearts as we read His Word.
As you prepare for the day, don’t forget to put on God’s truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation, and always carry the Word of God!
ACTIVATION: Take a few minutes every morning to put on the armor of God, processing what each piece of the armor represents and choosing to walk in that attribute throughout your day.
PRAYER: God, thank You for Your armor that protects me from the attack of the enemy. Thank You for Your Truth, Your Righteousness, Your Peace, Your Faith, Your Salvation and Your Word. Remind me to put on Your armor every day so I can face whatever may come my way that day. Illuminate any area of my life where I have followed something other than You. I repent of my mistakes and ask for the strength to choose Your Way over my own. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!
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