What is the Armor of God?
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV):
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 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.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
The armor of God is about being fully prepared and equipped to handle the spiritual battles you face in life. This armor symbolizes the comprehensive protection and strength you need to stand firm against the forces of evil and darkness that operate beyond the physical realm. The armor is a reminder that your struggles are not merely against visible challenges, but against deeper, spiritual adversaries that require divine power and resources.
By putting on the full armor of God, you are prepared to overcome the devil’s schemes. For example, when faced with deception, the truth of God’s word helps you discern lies and stay grounded in reality. In moments of temptation, God’s righteousness guides you to make the right choices. When accusations and feelings of inadequacy arise, your salvation reminds you that you are forgiven and valued by God. This spiritual preparedness ensures that you can navigate life’s difficulties with confidence and strength, knowing that you are supported by God’s protection and power.
Belt of Truth
Ephesians 6:14 (NIV): “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…”
The Belt of Truth represents honesty, integrity, and reliability. Wearing it means you embrace and live in the truth of God’s word, being truthful in all aspects of life. Just like a soldier’s belt secures their garment, the Belt of Truth signifies that truth is foundational to your life. It holds everything together and prepares you for spiritual battle, binding and securing all other aspects of your spiritual armor. This gives you the assurance and security to stand firm against deception and lies, aligning you with God’s reality and eliminating falsehood.
Verses on Truth
- Psalm 25:5 (NIV) – “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
- John 14:6 (NIV) – “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”
- John 8:32 (NIV) – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
- Ephesians 4:25 (NIV) – “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
- 1 John 3:18 (NIV) – “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
- Psalm 119:160 (NIV) – “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”
- Proverbs 12:19 (NIV) – “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.”
Breastplate of Righteousness
Ephesians 6:14 (NIV): “…with the breastplate of righteousness in place…”
Righteousness means being in right standing with God. The breastplate protects your heart and vital organs, symbolizing purity, moral integrity, and the protection that living a righteous life provides against spiritual attacks. The heart represents the center of your emotions, desires, and will. It’s where your thoughts, intentions, and motivations come from. By living righteously, you guard your heart from spiritual harm and accusations from the enemy. This way, you protect your inner being, maintain a right relationship with God, and prevent spiritual vulnerabilities.
Verses on Righteousness
- Isaiah 59:17 (NIV) – “He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.”
- Romans 3:22 (NIV) – “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
- Philippians 3:9 (NIV) – “And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
- Ephesians 4:24 (NIV) – “And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
- 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV) – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
- Matthew 5:6 (NIV) – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Ephesians 6:15 (NIV): “…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
The shoes of the gospel signify the readiness and stability that come from the good news of peace through Jesus Christ. They prepare you to stand firm and share His message, providing stability in spiritual challenges. Jesus, the “Prince of Peace,” offers a peace that surpasses understanding, bringing wholeness and reconciliation with God, helping you overcome fear and anxiety. Being grounded in this peace enables you to move boldly and confidently in your faith walk. Being prepared means having a strong understanding of the gospel and being ready to respond to any situation with the peace Jesus provides, allowing you to withstand spiritual attacks without stumbling.
Verses on Peace
- Isaiah 52:7 (NIV) – “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'”
- Romans 10:15 (NIV) – “And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'”
- John 14:27 (NIV) – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
- Philippians 4:7 (NIV) – “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
- Colossians 3:15 (NIV) – “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
- Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
- Matthew 5:9 (NIV) – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Shield of Faith
Ephesians 6:16 (NIV): “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.“
Faith means having complete trust and confidence in God. The shield of faith extinguishes all the flaming arrows of the evil one (the Devil), symbolizing protection against spiritual attacks by maintaining strong faith in God’s promises and power. Just like a shield blocks attacks, your faith blocks doubt and fear. Trusting in God’s promises protects you from the enemy’s assaults and empowers you to overcome challenges. By relying on your faith, you protect yourself from spiritual harm and gain the strength to face any difficulties that come your way.
Verses on Faith
- Psalm 3:3 (NIV) – “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.”
- Psalm 28:7 (NIV) – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
- 1 John 5:4 (NIV) – “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
- Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) – “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
- Romans 10:17 (NIV) – “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
- 1 Peter 1:5 (NIV) – “Who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”
- Ephesians 3:16-17 (NIV) – “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love.”
Helmet of Salvation
Ephesians 6:17 (NIV): “Take the helmet of salvation…”
Salvation means being delivered from sin and its consequences through Jesus Christ. Just as a helmet protects your head, symbolizing your mind and thoughts, it reminds you of your salvation and hope in Christ. The Helmet of Salvation safeguards your mind, providing assurance of eternal life and guarding against doubt and fear. Additionally, salvation represents being rescued from the hand of the enemy and his kingdom of darkness. Knowing you are saved and secure in Christ protects you from spiritual discouragement and confusion, giving you the confidence and hope that renews your mind.
Verses on Salvation
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NIV) – “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
- Psalm 140:7 (NIV) – “Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle.”
- Psalm 62:7 (NIV) – “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.”
- Acts 4:12 (NIV) – “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
- Hebrews 2:10 (NIV) – “In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.”
- 2 Timothy 2:10 (NIV) – “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.”
- Titus 3:5 (NIV) – “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
Sword of the Spirit
Ephesians 6:17 (NIV): “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The sword of the Spirit is the word of God—the Bible—containing God’s powerful, eternal, and everlasting promises and truths. It’s the only offensive weapon in the armor, used to counter lies and attacks from the enemy. This sword is your primary weapon against spiritual attacks, helping you declare God’s truth and strike down the enemy’s strategies. Whenever you face challenges, you can use Bible verses to overcome and stand strong.
Sword of the Spirit
- Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) – “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
- Revelation 1:16 (NIV) – “In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”
- Isaiah 49:2 (NIV) – “He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.”
- Matthew 4:4 (NIV) – “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”‘”
- Psalm 119:105 (NIV) – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
- Jeremiah 23:29 (NIV) – “‘Is not my word like fire,’ declares the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?'”
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
