The Whole Armor of God

I want to share with you all a study that I did on the Full Armor of God.

Ephesians 6:10-20

When a warrior enters into battle, it is optimal to have all of his armor on for protection. When faced by his enemy, if he has a helmet, but lacks body armor, he can be slain by a wound to his torso. Likewise, if the soldier enters into battle with all of the protection without a weapon, his enemies may continue in their assault until the soldier eventually weakens.

Therefore, all components must be used in combination in order to be successful in our battle against evil. In chapter 6, verse 10 of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Paul speaks of the Whole Armor of God. Note that he specifically points out to take on the Whole Armor of God, supporting that individual pieces are not strong enough on their own.

Belt of Truth

Paul opens with the Belt of Truth. Satan is a very powerful being against us. As soldiers of Christ, we are told to, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” In the gospel of John, Jesus Christ warns of us our enemy, “He (Satan) was a murder from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character for he is a liar and the father of lies,” John 8:44. God the Father despises lies and only recognizes the truth. King Solomon, who wrote of wisdom, stated, “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue…a false witness who breathes out lies…” Proverbs 6:16-19. Finally, we assured that only the truthful will enter the kingdom, when John wrote in his Revelation, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murders and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Revelation 22:14-15.

Our witness is also stronger when we wear the Belt of Truth. Not only does God the Father despise when we are not truthful, but the Christian church takes a blow when we are not wearing our belt. In my Sunday School class, my main focus is to teach them how to tell the world about Jesus without saying the word Jesus. The first step in telling the world is to be truthful. Those whose sins have not died with Jesus Christ watch us like very closely and are quick to judge. If your word can not be taken as honest, the lost will not listen to you.

Breastplate of Righteousness

The second piece of armor that we wear as soldiers of Christ is the Breastplate of Righteousness. In the heat of battle, a soldier wears a breastplate in order to protect his heart from fatal blows from their enemy. Our hearts belong to, and are to be constantly looking to our Father in Heaven. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he wrote, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’”. As such, in order to be righteous in the eyes of God, we must live by faith. Paul delivers a crushing blow to us a few chapters later, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God” Romans 3:10-11. This is not new news to followers of Christ. In the first stages of our walk, we learn that the very basis of Christianity is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to remove us from our sins so that we may enter the kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, as we progress in our walk, a progression that should never end, we become righteous from our continuing faith.

It is always helpful to remind yourself that we are not God, and we are really bad at playing God. We are to say, “But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." Psalm 31:14. We are to “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5. King Solomon wrote “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5. The Bible speaks of Trust in many occasions – too many to cover here. Just understand that you gain righteousness through faith, which is derived from trust. We must let go ourselves, and lean on the One that is strong. This is another way to tell people about Jesus without saying Jesus. For example, when you are at work, have faith in the abilities that you have been given. There is not a statement in the bible that says, “Jesus kicked, swore, shouted, and spoke to people in a diminutive manner to solve the situation.” So I ask you, why do we think it is the answer?

Shoes of Readiness

As we continue in our metaphorical walk in Christ, we must constantly wear our Shoes of Readiness. The modern day solider during battle faces landmines and surprise attacks in addition to the day-to-day combat. As soon as a potential battle has been won by the soldier’s party, the good fight is not over. As Christians, we do not know what the next fight will be. That being said, we certainly know that the next battle is going to happen. So our protection from the Shoes of Readiness, comes from being constantly prepared from the moment we wake up to the moment we go to sleep. A soldier that is not on alert is an easy target, because he is not prepared. In order to be ready, we must not only be alert, we must be training for combat. We would not expect a doctor to be prepared to operate on a patient just because he accepted his calling as a doctor. Why must we treat Christianity any differently? Accepting Jesus Christ as our savior is only step 1. Yes, it is the most powerful step, but too many times we let that be the only step. In Chapter 4 of the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus goes into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The reader is provided with a very apparent and obvious method of fending off evil, and that is with scripture. That is why it is absolutely imperative that we as Christians open up our Bibles. The book is not just 66 books of stories. It is the words from our Creator, our Master, our Commander and Chief. A quarterback does not just run on to the field, hike the ball, and randomly throw the ball. Plays are generated, studied, and practiced in order to have proper execution. It is completely ridiculous to think that we can continue in any different manner. This training needs to be daily, because once a week on Sunday morning will not prepare you.

Another way to be Ready, is to avoid unnecessary battles. Matthew 26:41 says, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” This means that you do not put yourself in a situation to fail. Now I am not saying that you are to avoid any conflict with the Master of Darkness. Sometimes in order to fulfill God’s will, we must trust him and enter into the wilderness ourselves. However, this means that you should also get rid of your temptations. Matthew 5:29 tells us, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.” This is also repeated again in Matthew 18. It is quite simple, really. For example, if you know you will fall victim to the flesh with alcohol, stay away from the bars. As new Christians, I invite you to pull away from the society that you fall to, and put yourself in Godly situations with your church. You will have protection in fellowship. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin,” 1 John 1:7. In writing to the people of Corinth, Paul said, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what has light with darkness?” My brothers and sisters, we are to protect each other. Also, remember that the old you must die. You are no longer citizens of this world. Be Ready, because, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” Luke 16:23. We must also understand that this world is not going to accept us, for it hated our Master. If we are not better than He, how can we expect another outcome?

Shield of Faith

In John’s Revelation, Jesus tells us, “"'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.” Revelation 2:13. When we wear the Whole Armor of God, we are still going to be attacked. However, “Resist him (Satan), firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world,” 1 Peter 5:9. I want to remind you that we are going to fail. Do not be discouraged by shame, but raise your Shield higher! Do not be moved! I know that I am placing a lot of emphasis on battle, because we are truly in the battle of our lives. Just as it is written by John, “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.” Revelation 12:7-8.

You lift your shield when you lift your voice to God. As Christians, we must constantly be praying to our Father. God told Abram, ‘"Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." Genesis 15:1. In the second book of Samuel, we are told “This God--his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” 2 Samuel 22:31. We must always remember that, “My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.” Psalm 7:10. I say to you that eventually, your body will desire to be in connection with the Lord. Your life will become cold when you are away from Him, but fear not, your Father loves you, and will always be with you.

Helmet of Salvation

The next aspect of the Whole Armor of God is the Helmet of Salvation. Simply put, without or minds, we cannot live. This is a parallel of Salvation, because without it, we are dead. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5. It is a long battle that we face, “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” 2 Titus 2:10.

Salvation is a gift. We did not earn it. “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9. It is a gift from our Father that we are to hold strong within it. “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.” Philippians 1:27-28.


Sword of the Spirit

In our Holy War, we have but one great weapon. It contains 66 books, 1,189 chapters, 31,373 versus, and about 774,746 words. It is greater than any rifle, anti-aircraft missile, or weapon of mass destruction that man has created. How can you wage war with human weapons against an entity that is not human? Our Sword is the Word of God. It is used for both defensive and offensive maneuvers. We saw our Savior use it to answer against temptation in the wilderness, and we are told that we will see, “From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.” Revelation 19:15.

I invite you to train to follow like Christ in your battle. This is our Users Guide, our Frequently Asked Questions, our playbook; for we are not in the dark as we walk in our journey. We have been provided specific guidance. That being said, if you never hold up your Sword, you will fail. You will fall victim to temptation. You cannot defend yourself, nor take down your foe. It is the final piece of the Whole Armor of God. Rely on its power! “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.

You must train with your sword and use it daily. If you are not aware of your weapon’s capabilities, you can not use it to the fullest extent.

In Closing

Do not delay. Wrap yourself in the Whole Armor of God right now! We are told quite clearly how to live our daily lives in order to have the Whole Armor of God:

1. Constant Prayer to shield ourselves from evil
2. Fellowship with the Christian Body for support
3. Full submergence in scripture to train ourselves
4. Building Disciples to answer the Great Commission