Put on the Full Armor of God

Put on the Full Armor of God

Ephesians 6

Eph 6:11: Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

I am involved in a Bible Study at church “Lord, Heal my Hurts” by Kay Arthur. I came to the part about the Armor of God – I know about the armor of God – probably even taught about it at some time in my life. But I really don’t “KNOW” the armor of God. Not deep down where it can really help. So today I have been reading and studying about the Armor of God. Now that I have learned and been reminded – it’s like wow, now I understand how Satan has been using my past to discourage me and keep me down. If I had only put on the full armor of God I would have been in such a better place emotionally. Satan truly does attack us with fiery darts and we never even know until it is too late.

6:14 – Stand firm, having girded your loins with truth…..

Roman soldiers wore a heavy belt over their tunics – it held up the tunic so they could fight plus it was where their sword, dagger and metal apron were attached.

The belt is a reminder that Jesus is the foundation for spiritual battle. He is the truth that stands against the lies and deception of Satan. To win your battle you must be wearing the belt that keeps you anchored to the truth that is found only in Jesus. We must test everything that comes at us by the truth. We find strength and protection in that truth.

6:14b – Having put on the breastplate of righteousness

The breastplate had one simple function – to protect the soldier’s vital organs. In battle the breastplate was essential for survival.

When we are in battle, which is a daily occurrence, we need to get our eyes off of ourselves and back on the cross. Only the cross provides the righteousness that is found in a relationship with Jesus. Our righteousness, effort or good works is useless, and Satan will use it to the max. If our conscience is void of offense toward God and man, the devil has nothing to shoot at.

6:15 – Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace

Without his shoes a soldier would not be prepared to fight and could easily be defeated.

The work of Jesus here on earth brought us peace with God. It is only because of what Jesus did on the cross that allows us to fight with boldness, confidence, perseverance and peace. Our preparation for the battle is the good news, the gospel of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. We are to be ready always to go out with the good news of peace, even into the enemy territory.

6:16 – taking up the shield of faith

The shields that the soldiers used were mainly for self protection. The only protection against the flaming arrows that rained down from the sky in ancient times was the shield.

We need to trust in Jesus alone as our shield. We can NOT rely on our own abilities in battle. Faith, here, is the firm confidence in the Lord and in His word. No matter what comes at us as fiery darts, faith looks up and says, “I believe God.”

6:17 – take the helmet of salvation

The helmet was essential for the survival of a soldier in battle. It was the part that protected his head, brain, mind.

We need to protect our thinking. In Jesus, we can find deliverance for any and every situation, spiritual, emotional and physical. Only HE can deliver. We cannot deliver ourselves. No matter how hot and heavy the battle, Christians know that the ultimate victory is sure. Assurance of eventual deliverance protects us from retreat or surrender.

6:17b – and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God

Every soldier carried a small dagger and a large double-edged sword used for thrusting. When used at close range by a skilled soldier, the sword was a deadly weapon.

The sword represents the Word of God. God’s Word is a powerful weapon against our enemy when it’s used under the spirit’s power and direction. The word of God here does not mean the whole Bible, but the particular verses that best address the situation. Scripture memory is essential – how else can you pull up the verse you need.

David Watson says:

God gives us all the protection that we need. We must see that there is a “ring of truth” about our walk with the Lord, that our lives are right (“righteous”) with God and with one another, that we seek to make peace wherever we go, that we lift up that shield of faith together to quench the flaming darts of the evil one, that we protect our minds from fears and anxieties that easily assail, and that we use God’s word to good effect in the power of the Spirit. Remember it was by the repeated sword thrusts of God’s word that Jesus overcame his adversary in the wilderness.