Weapons for the Believer: 9 – The Armor of God

Weapons for the Believer: 9 – The Armor of God

According to Paul, there are weapons of warfare.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV)

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.

We are considering ten weapons that the Believer has at their disposal. We looked at the first eight in previous posts. If you haven’t read them I encourage you to do so.

The next weapon on the list is the Armor of God.

Whenever “weapons” are mentioned in Christian circles most immediately go to Ephesians 6 where we find a list of items Paul refers to as “the whole armor of God.”

Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV)

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. 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. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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,  …

9. The Armor of God,

1) Belt of Truth

2) Breastplate of Righteousness

3) Shoes To Carry the Gospel of Peace

4) Shield of Faith

5) Helmet of Salvation

6) Sword of the Spirit (The Word of God)

7) Praying Always

8) Alertness with Perseverance

Like most of the “weapons” we have seen in this series most of these items are intended more for defense than offense. When the Believer is living the life God intends the enemy is kept at bay by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Some of these were considered individually in prior posts, such as “1) Belt of Truth” (Weapon #3: Speak the Truth In Love) and “7) Praying Always” (Weapon #6: Prayer).

2) “Breastplate of Righteousness” is one of the most critical to the Believer because it guards the heart. It is vital to keep our heart safe. When our heart suffers our whole body suffers because the life-giving nutrients are not pumped through our body to keep us strong and healthy. The heart is our access to the things of the Spirit. When we suffer hurt our first tendency is to close our heart to prevent further harm. However, that also closes off our access to the very source of our healing: The Holy Spirit.

The Roman breastplate not only covered the heart but covered the soldier, front and back, from the neck to the waist. When we understand that our righteousness has been given to us through Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross, we will be protected from many areas of attack. The enemy cannot cause us harm if we do not give him access. Living from a position of righteousness is a great defense.

3) “Shoes To Carry the Gospel of Peace” is the mission of Believer. Paul quoted Isaiah when he said:

Romans 10:15 (ESV)

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV)

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.

There is no greater peace than when you are in right-standing with God!

4) “Shield of Faith” is our access to God. He is already reaching toward you, seeking after you, and compelling you, by the Holy Spirit, to come to Him. Faith is how we connect with Him.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Our greatest hope is the life provided through Jesus, and faith brings it from unseen to seen in our life.

5) “Helmet of Salvation” protects our minds, the greatest battlefield for the Believer. Once you settle your salvation your mind becomes guarded by the confidence you have in Christ. When you follow the pattern Paul gave us in Ephesians as to how God made possible your salvation you will never have to doubt again. Salvation is not filling out a card or shaking a preacher’s hand. It’s not repeating a model prayer or the result of any good works that you may do. Any, or all, of these things may occur in the process, but the only requirement for salvation is this: that we identify our self with Jesus in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension to Father, seated at His right hand, and receive the Holy Spirit that Jesus sent to us, along with the gifts that the Spirit brings.

6) “Sword of the Spirit (The Word of God)” has to become our daily bread. God has given us 66 books filled with His plan and purpose for every human ever born. It is the only “weapon” Jesus used against the enemy when tempted during His Forty Days in the wilderness. The writer of Hebrews describes the power of God’s Word.

Hebrews 4:12-13 (ESV)

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. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

The Word of God, when allowed to do Its work in us, will expose anything that is not part of God’s best for our life.

8) “Alertness with Perseverance” keeps us from the “fowler’s snare” as the psalmist put it. Peter said it like this:

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

I recently posted on being “Sober.” If you haven’t read it take a quick moment to read it now. It is time for the Church to understand our place in this earth, and the time is right for us to stand up and be the Body of Christ in our world.