Ephesians 6:10
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
What are you wearing today? Just as we choose appropriate clothing for each day, we need to be intentional about what we spiritually “put on”. At the time Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians, the Roman Empire ruled and armed soldiers commonly occupied city centers. A commentary reports “Most adults who heard this letter read would have seen Roman soldiers and could relate this image to their spiritual warfare against the demonic powers at work in the world; God who fought for them had supplied them his armor.” We can glean from Paul’s challenge to the believers in Ephesus, to put on God’s full armor so we are covered, protected, and ready for all that is ahead.
The individual pieces of armor remind us of our identity. “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:11). We put on our belt (or “girdle”) of truth- replacing the lies we believe with truth from God’s word to protect our core. Our breastplate of righteousness reminds us that His righteousness covers our hearts – it’s His clean record that stands in the place of ours and allows us to live rightly. Our shoes enable us to actively do good work- “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you, to give reason for the hope that we have.” (I Peter 3:15) Soldiers wore sandals or boots to quickly advance without distraction of what may be stepped on the way. We are always on mission.
We grab our shield of faith (belief) by “which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16). What a picture! Shields were often four feet high, the front made of leather which would be wetted before a battle to quench any flaming darts that were launched. We defensively hold up our shields so that when Satan whispers, “Did God really say that?” or “Will he really come through for you?” we protect ourselves with faith. He has always been faithful, He will be faithful. We pray, “Lord we believe, help our unbelief” (Mark 9:23). Protecting our mind, we place “the helmet of salvation ” (Ephesians 6:17) that reminds us that Jesus is our Savior and we are His.
Finally, after all of these defensive pieces, we take up the “sword of the Spirit”, which is the word of God, “ When darkness comes we attack with the truth from scripture – all the promises that are true which pierce the hearts of our spiritual enemies.
This passage ends with the challenge of “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” If the battle metaphor continues here, soldiers had to stand and move together as one solid unit. A soldier standing alone was completely vulnerable, however a legion of soldiers standing together was invincible.
So, let’s go in unified, protected, ready, and with our game faces on. We’ve been called into battle. As armored soldiers, we are commissioned to “stand firm in the faith. Be courageous, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13). We know who’s team we are on.
Listening Prayer:
Holy Spirit, reveal to me where I am going into today unprepared. What lies am I believing? Remind me of the truth instead. Reveal any offensive way in me so I will be able to serve you with an undivided heart.
Prayer:
God, our Father, thank you for protecting me with your armor. Jesus, remind me that you are my Savior and that your righteousness makes me clean. Holy Spirit, arm me in your protection so that we can take a stand against the enemy’s evil schemes today. We are yours and you are already victorious! Amen!
Starner, R. (1995). The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Craig S. Keener.
The Biblical Archaeologist, 58(3), 174–175. https://doi.org/10.2307/3210454
Resource: Bible Verses On the Armor Of God
1 Thessalonians 5:8
“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”
2 Corinthians 10:4
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”
1 Peter 3:15
“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect”
Isaiah 59:17
“He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head. He put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a mantle.”