When I was going through the spiritual battle that changed my life, I was told by those trying to help that I need to put on the armor of God so I could stand against the devil.  I had no clue what the armor of God was so I read Ephesians 6, but still had not clue about what I had read.  I knew I was fighting spiritual wickedness; but how could I fight what I could not see and what weapons do I use in my battles?   The weapons of our armor are defined in Ephesians 6: 10-19.  Paul gave us a visual for these spiritual tools of warfare hoping that we would understand the importance of our weapons.  Let’s look at each weapon to understand what is required in our armor.

The Armor of God (NASB)

Verse 10 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”

Verse 11 – “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

Verse 12 – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Verse 13 – “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

Verse 14 – “Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,”

Verse 15 – “..and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;”

Verse 16 – “…in addition to all, taking up the SHIELD OF FAITH with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Verse 17 – “…and take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the word of God.”

Verse 18 – “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,”

Verse 19 – “..and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,”

THE BELT (Girt) of Truth

A soldier’s belt was made with tough leather strips and small brass plates for extra protection. The belt was designed to shield vulnerable parts of the body and keep other pieces of the soldier’s armor. This belt also had hooks and holders to secure the scabbard (sheath) that held the sword at an angle. This belt also held supplies of bread, water and oil.

Truth is the first weapon of armor. Paul relates it to the soldier’s belt, which is girt upon the loins, and should surround the body. We are supposed to fasten the belt to us and be firmly established in the truth of God’s word; without truth, the armor is weak. This belt holds the sword of the spirit and without truth we cannot effectively use the sword. Jesus tell us that He is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6); and the “truth shall set you free” (John 8:32). The belt holds together other pieces of the armor in place. When girted with the truth, Satan lies to hinder our relationship with Christ and cast doubt on who we are in Christ is not effective. Our response to Satan’s lies, temptation and accusations is the word of God. If you don’t know truth, you are more susceptible to the attacks and lies of the enemy.

BREASTPLATE of Righteousness

Before battle, a soldier would fasten the breastplate around his chest like a vest to protect his heart and other vital organs. If a soldier failed to wear his breastplate, an arrow could easily pierce his heart or lungs and be fatal. When we shield our chest, it must be with confidence and faith in victory. Without righteousness, we are open to attacks of the enemy. The Bible describes the righteous person as just or right, holding to God and trusting in Him (Psalm 33:18-22). Being righteous is not something we can achieve on my own but we can be righteous through the cleaning of sin by Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Becoming righteous involves confession, repentance, forgiveness and obeying God’s laws of love. When we are made righteous by Christ we become blameless and issued this breastplate designed to protect the heart and soul from evil and deception.

FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL of Peace

Soldiers do a lot of walking and cannot travel far without the proper shoes; having to travel over rough terrain and undertake long marches. When in battle, we need to continually be walking in the peace of God with no distractions. Being able to stand firm without wavering provides peace. Romans 16:20 says “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly”. Also, the word preparation denotes readiness, being prepared. We must be prepared to spread the gospel of peace in addition to standing firm against the wiles of the devil.

SHIELD of Faith

Clearly, a shield is vitally important to a soldier. It provides a blanket of protection. When we have faith in God’s love, power and faithfulness, it is difficult for Satan to penetrate the shield and strike a blow. It is meant to be taken up in all circumstances. When we use faith as a shield without doubt, we can distinguish the fiery darts of the enemy and take on any challenge he throws our way.

HELMET of Salvation

The fifth piece of God’s armor is represented by the Roman soldier’s helmet; a piece of armor a soldier would never leave behind when entering battle. The purpose of the helmet is to protect the head from injury. Salvation, being saved, is a gift from God. The fact that the helmet is related to salvation indicates that Satan’s blows are directed at the believer’s security and assurance in Christ with lies, sin, adversity, and strategies used to destroy us and our relationship with Christ. This helmet protects our thought life.

SWORD of the Spirit

The sword is the word of God which can cut down the strongholds (faulty thinking) of Satan. Unfortunately, many people don’t use their sword as a defensive or offensive weapon against Satan; they forget that it is a spiritual battle that must be fought with spiritual weapons.

Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart”.   Jesus showed us how to use this sword when He was led by the spirit to be tempted by the devil. After forty days, Satan came to him while weak from fasting, to tempt and test. Jesus showed us how to respond to Satan by using the Sword of the Spirit.

  1. Satan tried to create doubt. Jesus had just been told by God (Matt 3:17) “This is my Son, whom I love, with him, I am well pleased’.
  • Satan says to Jesus “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
  • Jesus says “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.'” (referring to Deu 8:3). Jesus is saying “God’s word is final and I don’t need to prove it or doubt it”.
  1. Satan tried to test Jesus.
  • Satan tells Jesus he will give him kingdoms and glory if He will worship him.
  • Jesus says “It is written YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY” (Exodus 20:3). Worshiping another god was breaking the first commandment.
  1. Satan did not make any progress with the first testing of Jesus so he comes back with another test this time using the word of God.
  • Satan tells Jesus that if He is the Son of God, prove it by jumping off the temple. He tries to trick Jesus into proving to “others” that He is the “Son of God” whereby murdering Him or inciting doubt concerning what God had told Him; as if what God spoke to him was not enough.  Satan quotes scripture by misinterpreting the word.   He tells Jesus that “the angels will guard Him and will not let Him fall”.
  • Jesus again replied “It is said, ‘It is written YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'” (Deu 6:16).

Remember that the sword is both an offensive and a defensive weapon. Use it offensively to strengthen your faith and breaking down of strongholds. Use it defensively to deflect his lies and resist the temptations.   When the devil comes to you and creates doubt, comes back at him with confidence and power using the Sword of the Spirit.  The enemy knows when you lack trust, faith and confidence.  For example, when the enemy condemns (one of his most use strategies), speak out loud “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1) to shut him up.  When he tells you that you “can’t”, you tell him that “you can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).

Don’t wait until you are in a battle to pick up the sword. Memorize and meditate on it so when the attacks come you will bold and wield the sword with confidence.

The Power of Prayer

Paul ends this section encouraging us to pray fervently for ourselves, for each other and for the work of the Church.  Prayer is powerful.

Summary

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.  Until you learn that a spiritual battle must be fought with spiritual weapons, you will not be victorious in your battles.  We know that the war is already won but as long has Satan is free to roam, we will continue to fight battles.  It is our responsibility to use the weapons that the Lord has given us if we want be overcomers and not always victims.  Put on the whole amour,

  • Truth
  • Righteousness
  • Preparation and Peace
  • Faith
  • Salvation
  • Word of God
  • Power of Prayer

of God, every day!

 

Dee Bowers – Exposing Truth Ministries