Putting on the Whole Armor of God

As we Christians navigate through life's challenges and uncertainties, we must come to realize that there is a spiritual warfare against the powers of darkness. Who is this formidable foe? Isaiah 14:12-14 (KJV) tells us about him: "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" He has been around a long time. His pride and desire to be exalted above God caused the fall of man in the beginning with Adam and Eve. Satan, in the guise of a serpent, masterfully wove his deceptions, presenting them seductively to Eve while sowing seeds of doubt about God's intentions, claiming, “Ye shall not surely die,” which directly contradicted God's command. By blending lies with partial truths, such as the notion that eating the forbidden fruit would grant them knowledge akin to that of gods, he effectively masked the gravity of sin, revealing his tactic of manipulating truth to make wrongdoing seem appealing and irresistible. He is cunning and seeks to convince man to follow him instead of God. Nothing he offers brings true satisfaction or peace.

Satan, referred to as "the accuser of the brethren" in Revelation 12:10, seeks to undermine God's grace and forgiveness by highlighting our sins before Him, aiming to instill shame and despair in us. Jesus characterizes Satan in John 8:44 (KJV): ...He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.." 2 Corinthians 10:3,4 (KJV) states: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)" It is crucial for believers to remain vigilant and discerning against these tactics in order to resist his accusations and embrace the truth of God's grace, which offers freedom from shame and empowers us to live in righteousness. Something to remember is that: “Our responsibility is to become acutely aware of Satan’s methods but not be preoccupied by them. We can become educated about his schemes by examining his names in scripture; all of them reveal something of his tactics. Scripture is very clear about his agenda and his targets. But he is limited, and we have no need to fear him if we follow God’s instructions in faith. We do not fight for victory; we fight from victory because Satan is a defeated foe! The Bible has given us numerous promises of victory over the power of the enemy.” (Ingram, 2009)

God has given us weapons to fight this enemy and we are told to put on the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6 11-18 (KJV): "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" This powerful concept, serves as a guide to facing the spiritual battles that we encounter in our daily journey.

The Belt of Truth

The journey to donning the Armor begins with the Belt of Truth. Just as a belt holds our garments in place, truth is the foundation that anchors us amidst the stormy seas of deception and falsehood in the world. It is only by embracing honesty and integrity that we can fortify ourselves against the subtle traps of dishonesty. "Our rules of engagement in spiritual warfare, hang on truth. The belt binds up the garments, also referred to as ‘girding up the loins’ in the Elizabethan prose. The belt is the first piece of equipment we put on, holding all the other pieces in place. The belt is also the least conspicuous piece of armor, yet, the sword and shield, both hang from it. The belt was called the baleus, and without it, the whole armor would fall down (you get the picture). If we don’t walk in truth on a daily basis, we’re left embarrassed, with our pants down! Those who don’t tell the truth, often end up lying to hide their shame. In essence, truth holds everything together, so we must walk with integrity before God and our fellow man." (Joseph, 2022) Psalm 139: 34,35 (KJV), “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” Living with honesty and integrity creates a strong foundation for our spiritual well-being, allowing us to navigate life's challenges. This steadfastness fosters resilience, keeping our core values intact and shielding us from external pressures and internal conflicts. When our actions align with our beliefs, we find a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment, making it difficult for life's trials to compromise our spirit.

The Breastplate of Righteousness

The Breastplate of Righteousness shields our hearts, protecting our emotions and moral compass. By upholding righteousness, we safeguard ourselves from the tarnishing influences of immorality and wickedness, ensuring that our moral core remains unscathed. Proverbs 4:23 (KJV), "Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life." In Ephesians 6:14, the term righteousness encompasses the idea of living a life aligned with God's will, rooted in the objective righteousness believers have through Christ's sacrifice. While this foundational righteousness is firm and complete due to our relationship with Jesus Christ, the verse emphasizes the need to practically apply this truth in our daily lives by submitting to Christ's lordship. Essentially, righteousness is about embodying the truths we learn from Scripture and the Christian community. This ensures that our spiritual knowledge transforms our behavior, as mere understanding without action is ineffective in our walk of faith. 2 Corinthians 5: 21 (KJV), " For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him," Paul also referred to the ‘armor of righteousness’ in 2 Corinthians 6:7. The righteousness that safeguards a believer's heart is indeed rooted in the righteousness of Christ, which signifies that through faith, believers are justified and made right before God, not by their own works, but through the grace and redemption offered by Jesus. This divine righteousness not only equips believers to live according to God's will but also serves as a protective barrier against guilt, fear, and doubt, enabling them to embrace their identity as children of God and live in confidence and peace.

The Shoes of Peace

"The word preparation in this verse means ‘establishment.’ It conveys two ideas; knowing the gospel inside and out and being ready to share it. When we are well grounded in the mercy of God in Christ and are prepared to extend His mercy to others, we are on solid ground. That kind of readiness brings peace on both fronts—within our own hearts and between God and people who need Him. We've discovered that Satan’s primary tactic is deception, and he follows it up with condemnation. The belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness guard us from those tactics. But he also specializes in casting doubt on the very basis of God’s goodness and the means by which we receive it: the gospel. The paths of many other religions are steep and winding, demanding perfection from their travelers. The natural tendency of a fallen human being is to rely on good works and to push all the right buttons to possibly have a chance of getting to heaven. When that self-oriented approach to God seeps into a Christian’s life, it’s hard to recover. If grace has been undermined in a believer’s mind, self is all that is left—hop in our own resources. When failure comes, then the only conclusion one can draw is, ‘Maybe I don’t really belong to  Christ.’ And if we can never really know, we become a pawn in the hand of the enemy—forever plagued by doubts about our worthiness before God. Few things will undermine joy and abundance in a Christian life as much as that.” (Ingram, 2009) Galatians 1:6-8 (KJV), "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." The passage highlights the deceptive nature of false gospels that subtly alter the message of salvation by introducing works alongside grace, which can lead to doubts about our spiritual capability. It emphasizes the necessity of grounding ourselves in the truths of Scripture, which makes it clear that salvation is solely through faith in Jesus Christ, who paid the ultimate price for sin. By focusing on the sufficiency of Christ's atonement and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, we can stand firm with the gospel of peace, against the deceptions of false teachings, and find assurance in our salvation, affirming that there is no other gospel.

The Shield of Faith

As we all know, a shield is very important in times of battle. Regardless of what kind of shield it is, It protects us from fiery arrows or even bullets. The shield of faith provides absolute confidence in God and provides victory over sin and every demonic host. "The fiery darts of the adversary are the schemes, temptations, lies, and attacks aimed at God's people. Their goal is to get us to shift our focus from God onto something or someone else. If the enemy can get us to be afraid, feel guilty or condemned, get discouraged, or lose hope, he can move our dependence away from God and onto something much less worthy." (Ingram, 2009) Satan will send darts of blasphemous thoughts, hateful thoughts, doubts (about our salvation and if God even exists), burning desires to sin, and overwhelming times of depression. When we give our hearts and lives to Jesus, we have a new standing with God. "When we sense the darts of doubt and deception, we raise the shield of faith, which can extinguish everything the enemy flings at us. We apply the specific truth of God's word to our personal situation as soon as we're aware of an incoming missile. We don't evaluate our situation by visible circumstances, moods, or suspicions. We insist on God's truth regardless of any other message we're receiving and we trust it implicitly. (Ingram, 2009) Where do we get our faith?  Romans 10:17 (KJV) “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” How do we hear the Word of God? Not only by listening to ministers but reading and studying His Word for ourselves and asking the Holy Spirit for leading and guidance. With unwavering faith in God, we can deflect the fiery arrows of fear and disbelief, standing resolute in our convictions and trust in Jesus Christ and the victory we have because of His great sacrifice for us.

The Helmet of Salvation

The helmet protects from all angles, front, top, side, and back. Our salvation covers all angles of attack, and Satan's primary target is our minds. "The Book of Revelation describes the name of God etched into our foreheads (Rev 14:1). Guess what? The enemy knows which army you’re in because God’s name is beamed from your forehead, in the spiritual realm! Is it any wonder the Antichrist tries to stamp his name into the foreheads of the lost, in the tribulation period via the Mark of the Beast (Rev 13:16-18)? This is merely an imitation of God’s intention all along.” (Ingram, 2009) The Bible often tells us that the primary battlefield is our minds. If Satan can, he will discreetly manipulate our thoughts, our emotions, and our knowledge so that we will be deceived and follow Satan's plan. We must fill our minds with God's Truth consistently to avoid these darts or pitfalls. Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 (KJV) "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." "When Jesus prayed His last, lengthy prayer before the Father, He asked that His disciples would be prepared and protected—primarily in their knowledge of the truth. ‘Sanctify them by the truth,’ He prayed, and the next line made it absolutely clear what He was talking about: ‘Your word is truth.’ (John 17:17) Romans 8:6,7 also give us a clear picture of the critical role of the mind: ‘The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God." (Ingram, 2009) When we totally surrender our will to God and stay faithful in His Word, the Holy Spirit works in us to renew our minds. One thing that I try to do when I am under attack is to pray 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV), "casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." The Helmet of Salvation guards our thoughts and minds, shielding us from the corrosive doubts and insecurities that plague our inner selves. By embracing the promise of salvation, we awaken to a renewed sense of purpose and hope, unshaken by the storms that may come our way.

The Sword of God

Lastly, we wield the Sword of God, which is the Word of God itself. This potent weapon serves as our offensive tool in battle, enabling us to cut through the veils of darkness with the illuminating truth and wisdom of God's teachings. Hebrews 4: 12 (KJV), "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and all of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." In Matthew 4, Jesus is tempted by Satan. The passage illustrates the importance of actively using the Word of God, specifically through the rhema concept, which emphasizes speaking the Scriptures aloud as a means of spiritual defense against temptation and accusations. By using the phrase “It is written,” as demonstrated by Jesus during his confrontation with Satan in the wilderness, we are encouraged to proclaim God’s truth and resist the enemy's lies. This declaration of faith not only reinforces us but also supports the transforming power of testimony in spiritual warfare, as highlighted in Revelation, where triumph over the accuser is achieved through both the blood of Christ and our spoken witness. Speaking the Word of God is shown as a critical and powerful weapon in our arsenal against spiritual warfare. We must be in a vital relationship with the Holy Spirit for this weapon to work. The authority that braces up the written word is the Holy Spirit. He leads and guides us in our battles. We are the ones who wield the Sword of the Spirit, but the Holy Spirit enables our weapon. Any authority that we have as believers is given to us by grace.

As I reflect on the significance of each piece of the Armor of God, I am reminded of the importance of staying vigilant and prepared in the face of life's trials. When we are obedient we will do as James 4:7 (KJV) says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” We resist the devil by putting on each piece of armor and wielding the Sword of God against every deception that comes from the enemy. By personifying the virtues in this Spiritual Armor, we can navigate the turbulent waters of life with resilience, wisdom, and unwavering faith.

In conclusion, let us remember to put on the Whole Armor of God each day, not as a physical garment, but as a spiritual shield against the adversary we encounter. With the Belt of Truth cinched tight, the Breastplate of Righteousness in place, the Shoes of Peace guiding our steps, the Shield of Faith unfurled, the Helmet of Salvation securing our minds, and the Sword of God at our side, we stand ready to face the battles ahead with courage and conviction.

Let us march forth, armed with the Armor of God, knowing that we are never alone in our struggles, for His divine protection envelops us at every step of the way.

CompellingTruth.org (n.d.). In what way is Satan the accuser? Compelling Truth. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from https://www.compellingtruth.org/Satan-accuser.html

Ingram, C. (2009). The Invisibe War What Every Believer Needs to Know about Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare (p. Section 1 Executive Summary). Baker Books.

Joseph, C. (2022, December 1). The Whole Armor of God. Carl Joseph Ministries Fulfill Your God-Given Potential. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://carljosephministries.com/the-whole-armor-of-god/