Christians are in a fight for their faith. There’s no question there’s a battle going on. The only question is how to put on the armor of God so we can have victory.
Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (Christian Standard Bible)
WHY SHOULD WE LEARN HOW TO PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD?
The Bible tells us our battle is not against people.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.
Ephesians 6:12
We need to know how to put on the armor of God because there’s a spiritual army organized against us. Even though we can’t see them, forces of evil are lined up under Satan and divided by levels and ranks. And they’re not playing. Their single purpose is to knock Christians down from a position of faith.
When I’m offended and struggling to forgive, I’m fighting a spiritual battle. If I feel depressed or defeated, the enemy is likely at work. And when I lose hope or convince myself I don’t matter to God, spiritual forces are having their way with me.
Like it or not, there’s an unseen battle raging, and every Christian is a target. That’s why it’s so important for us to know how to put on the armor God.
HOW TO PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD
Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesian church while in chains, under the authority of Roman soldiers. So, it’s no wonder he used a battle uniform to describe our protection against our spiritual enemies.
When we learn how to put on the armor of God, we can have victory on the spiritual battlefield.
WHAT ARE THE 6 PIECES OF THE ARMOR OF GOD?
1. The belt of truth.
A Roman soldier’s uniform was ineffective without a belt. It’s what kept his breastplate secure and his sword in place. And a belt enabled him to gather and secure his tunic when he was ready to fight.
Satan’s most common offensive move is deception and lies. Even in the Garden of Eden, that’s how he operated. In fact, Jesus called him the “father of lies” (John 8:44).
That’s why we need the belt of truth.
For a Christian, the truth of God is what holds everything else together. Truth tells us what to believe. It tells us how to live. And it helps us understand the world.
The truth of God is found in the Word of God. If we’re not immersed in the Bible we’re basically defenseless. Like a Roman soldier without a belt, we’re open to attack.
The truth of God is our protection against Satan’s lies. And it’s our only weapon against the enemy. At the end of the day, the truth of God is what holds everything together so we can make sense out of life.
2. Breastplate of righteousness.
Like a bulletproof vest, the Roman soldier’s breastplate protected his vital organs.
The breastplate of righteousness is what protects the hearts of Christians when Satan lies to us about who we are.
Years ago someone asked me this: “On a scale of 1 to 10, how righteous are you?” After contemplating my behaviors and how many times I consistently miss the mark, I determined I may come in at about a 4.
And perhaps that’s why at that time I was living in a state of seeming perpetual defeat. What I finally learned is that a person who has placed their faith in the finished work of Christ on the Cross is a 10. He is righteous. God made him righteous because of what Christ has already done.
We can’t add anything. And nothing is missing.
It’s not about what we’ve done. And it’s not about how we feel about ourselves or God.
Our righteousness is based on a fact, not on behaviors or feelings. It’s about what Jesus has done and who we are in Him. Our standing and position are secure.
When Satan tries to use our past or even our present on us, we can call him a liar and choose to believe the truth that what Jesus has accomplished for us is enough.
3. Shoes that make you ready with the gospel
Ancient armies sometimes credited their successes to good, thick shoes for their soldiers. When a soldier had sturdy shoes, he could march long distances with a good deal of speed. Roman soldiers wore sandals with studs on the bottom to give them a good grip on any terrain. That way they could stay upright more easily. After all, a fallen soldier would likely have been a dead one.
To wear shoes that make us ready means we’re flexible, mobile, and able to share the gospel. Yet that’s a scary thought for far too many Christians.
I’ve noticed that many mature Christians still leave it up to their pastor or church staff to share the gospel. Even though they themselves may be in a prime spot to share the gospel with someone, there’s a good chance they’ll drag them up to the church so the pastor can talk to them.
Here’s the problem with that. If you can’t explain the gospel to someone else, how do you know you believe it yourself?
We don’t need a theology degree to share the gospel. We need the simple truth of the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ which purchased our salvation.
If you know what you believe so that you’re ready to share the good news of the gospel, you’ve got your spiritual shoes on.
4. Shield of Faith
The shield protected soldiers from sword attacks and fiery darts thrown by the enemy.
For A Christian, the shield of faith is necessary every time an idea, doubt, fear, or concern threatens to sabotage our faith. We have feelings, desires, hopes and fears that are normal. But we dare not allow them to dictate how we respond to people, how we see ourselves ,or how we view God.
The shield of faith is our defense against the fiery darts of the enemy.
That’s why the Bible tells us to “take every thought captive.” When we examine a thought, determine whether it’s true, discard it if it’s not and replace it with truth, we’ve shielded ourselves from enemy attack.
It is true that I am an ordinary, weak human being, but I don’t use human plans and methods to win my battles. I use God’s mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil’s strongholds. These weapons can break down every proud argument against God and every wall that can be built to keep men from finding him. With these weapons I can capture rebels and bring them back to God and change them into men whose hearts’ desire is obedience to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (HCSB)
5. Helmet of Salvation
The Roman soldier wore a leather helmet with metal studs to protect his head. Naturally, if the head is injured, all other organs and bodily functions are in jeopardy.
So it is with the helmet of salvation. Without a full assurance that we’re saved, our Christian walk is in jeopardy. We need to operate on facts and not just emotions. In other words, we must rationally determine that what the Bible says is true even if our feelings don’t agree.
Our assurance of salvation is not determined by how we feel. It’s determined by what we know is true.
6. Sword of the Spirit
Sword maneuvers must be practiced. Otherwise they probably won’t work very well.
Christians must live a life that pleases Christ. That means putting God’s Word into practice. We can’t just say a lot of spiritual things in our heads and never translate them into our everyday lives.
God’s Word cuts into Satan’s lies at the exact right time. It assaults the thoughts and ideas Satan tries to throw at us. And the scriptures put life into focus so we can trust God.
Suit up with the Armor of God
When we know how to put on the armor of God, we’re safe in the spiritual battle for our faith.
Satan is on the prowl. He knows where and when to show up for an opportune attack. He’s not hiding out in places that look bad. We’d recognize him there. Instead, he hangs out in our homes and in our churches, the places where we’re most likely to let our guard down.
The night before the Crucifixion, Satan showed up in the Upper Room. He was right there in the heart of Judas and in the presence of Jesus and His disciples. But Satan didn’t have the last word. Jesus did.
Jesus will always have the last word, because Satan is under His authority.
So, we don’t have to panic. We simply have to know how to put on the armor of God and then suit up in faith.
