There is spiritual warfare going on all around us. We must prepare ourselves for this holy battle.
“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. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:11-17
David Chadwick said it this way in his Moments of Hope devotional:
“The first piece of the armor is the belt of truth. Truth, by its very definition, is exclusive. It means something is true and other things are lies. The evil one is the father of lies (John 8:44). Every lie finds its origin in him.
“Every other piece of the full armor of God is attached to the belt of truth. If you don’t begin with truth, you’ll never defeat the enemy. And Jesus said God’s Word is true (John 17:17).”
Next, we have the Breastplate of Righteousness. Righteousness means being made right. In daily spiritual battles, the enemy tries to tempt us but righteousness protects the heart from being wounded by sin.
Peace is an attribute of the Lord’s very person and character (Galatians 5:22). The gospel is the forgiveness of sins and access to and oneness with God through faith in Christ. When we stand strong, we prevent the enemy from shaking us loose with worry.
“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Replenish your faith by spending time in God’s word.
The battlefield of our mind is the primary place spiritual battle is fought. The helmet of salvation (like the breastplate of righteousness) protects us from the enemy. Surrender thoughts that don’t line up with Scripture. As Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
The explanation of this piece of armor is right there in the verse – it is the word of God. And it is the only piece of armor that is both defensive and offensive. As Greg Laurie explains:
“When we are tempted, the most effective weapon that God has given to us as believers is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
The Armor of God reminds Christians about the reality of spiritual battle and describes the protection available to them.
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