The whole armor of God took on new significance for me after watching the movie, Gladiator. The opening scene showing the Roman soldiers with their head-to-toe armor was both inspiring and enlightening. After seeing it, I was eager to put on the whole armor of God!
The Apostle Paul certainly saw more than his fair share of Roman soldiers displaying these weapons of war. He used the illustration of a war-hardened soldier to encourage the church in Ephesus.
The whole armor of God is a visualization presented in the Bible. Spiritual weapons possessed by every Christian, are compared to a Roman soldier’s military uniform. The majority of the weapons are defensive in nature but not all of them. The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is an offensive weapon designed to inflict great damage to its opponent.
This Present Darkness
Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
If you have been a Christian for more than a week, you’ve undoubtedly experienced at least a spiritual skirmish. Sometimes, the fights really are life or death situations and require a warrior mentality.
Back in 1999, our son received a disturbing diagnosis from his pediatrician. The condition would have stunted his growth and prevented him from fully developing mentally. We took the information provided by his doctor and then sought counsel from our pastor and the elders of our church.
After much prayer, we decided to stand firm and to declare spiritual war!
Stand Firm
Ephesians 6:13 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.
Standing one’s grounds is not always easy. We will win some battles and lose other battles. Trust me when I say we’ve been raked over the spiritual coals and own the scars to prove it. Laying down in defeat is simply not in our DNA, though.
The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us! Somedays we crawl to the battle. We just don’t know how to quit.
Micah 7:8 Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.
Belt of Truth
Ephesians 6:14a Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.
Truth is taking a beating in many churches right now. Pastors, elders, and some church leaders are caving to the pressure of progressive Christianity. Many of these persons believe that the Bible is riddled with errors and is fallible.
Truth, to them, is subjective and relative.
I don’t get my truth and you don’t get your truth. We don’t read a bible passage and then ask, “What does this verse mean — to you.” What matters is what the biblical text means. HARD STOP.
It’s imperative that we cinch up the Belt of Truth!
Breastplate of Righteousness
Ephesians 6:14b With the breastplate of righteousness in place.
The Breastplate of Righteousness is similar to a bulletproof vest. Our vital organs are behind this protective power. Without this layer of protection, we’re vulnerable to mortal wounds and massive injuries.
Righteousness is a word that gets breezed over far too often. It’s one of those church-y words that we’ve allowed to slip from our vocabulary and our minds.
The Gospel hinges on righteousness. It’s a word that we should double down on and bring back into our conversations and sermons.
II Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!
Gospel of Peace
Ephesians 6:15 And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
When the angels announced the arrival of Jesus they made a strong pronouncement. What they said has been repeated for thousands of Christmas celebrations. It’s been printed on Christmas cards and even made into the classic cartoon, A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Jesus was bringing peace. The Gospel of Peace was making its debut into a sin-stained planet. Reconciliation between God and man was on the horizon.
Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Everywhere we walk we have the ability and the opportunity to bring the Gospel of Peace!
Shield of Faith
Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Faith is an active belief that often leads us to action that is contrary to our natural senses. Our faith was never meant to be stagnant.
The shield of faith is not a static weapon. While the other pieces of our uniform remain stationary, we must move our shield to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one!
Helmet of Salvation
Ephesians 6:17a Take the helmet of salvation
I truly wish that God would have given me a Holy Ghost lobotomy when I bowed my knee to Him. Since He didn’t, it’s up to me to protect and renew my mind.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
I have some choices to make: I can become conformed to this world or can be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Regrettably, conformation to the world is the default position on this planet. The spirit of the world is regularly on attack and pushing the boundaries.
We must combat this diabolical effort with a constant brain bath!
Sword of the Spirit
Ephesians 6:17b and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The only offensive weapon mentioned by Paul is the Word of God. Jesus thumped the tempter with that single weapon when battling in the wilderness.
Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Matthew 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
It’s difficult to swing our sword when it’s dirty, dusty, and rusty. Sword fighting requires practice. We are ineffective when we only pull our sword from its sheath when we’re really angry. It’s a weapon that should be used on a regular basis.
Praying in the Spirit
Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Paul wraps up the entire armor of God analogy with the charge to pray in the Spirit. We’re to pray on all occasions and with all kinds of prayers and requests!
I think of this part as a back-alley street fight. There is no pride or manners in this type of brawl. No son, survival is our only concern. We’re not looking to win a Mr. or Miss Congeniality award. If a spiritual eye-gouge is required so be it! If we’re on the ground and losing, we will do whatever is necessary to win this battle!
Fight the Good Fight
A good fight is one we win.
My wife and I went to battle with the whole armor of God in 1999. Past losses gnawed at us but we, by the grace of God, stood firm. Our entire home was turned upside down and we were in battle-mode fighting for our boy.
He is nearly twenty-two years old and doing well. Next month, he will graduate from one of the best colleges in the country with a degree in economics. We could not get the doctor to officially admit a miracle took place but he did concede that a medical anomaly had transpired.
We know, though.
The weapons of our warfare are mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds!