What is our armor?
As Christians we are told to pick up our crosses daily in order to fulfill the purpose God has given us. But how do we use our defenses in Christ to fulfill this purpose?
A verse that gives the answer to this is one that we have all heard since we were probably in grade school going to church: Ephesians 6:10-17. However, if it is your first time seeing this verse, here you go:
“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.”
Okay, great. I put on this “armor” that the Lord has provided. But how does this really connect to my life?
If you break down this verse, you will see that each piece of the armor is so important to our walk with Christ. We are in a daily warfare with the enemy; we need each of these things to keep us together.
First, the “belt of truth” is the first thing we put on everyday. It represents the truth of the word and that Jesus is “the way, the TRUTH, and the life.” The Truth is that Jesus died on the cross for us. We must know it and live it.
Second, the “breastplate of Righteousness” is the protection for our hearts. We are so prone to those things in our culture that are unrighteous in the eyes of God. It represents how Jesus’s action of dying on the cross will always protect us from the temptations of the enemy.
Third, having your feet “fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace,” means to have a firm footing into your faith. It is the peace that the Lord will never leave us. It is this peace that gives us the strength to walk our path.
Fourth, the “shield of faith” is our finest protection against the devil and his evil workings in our lives. It is by our continual trust in the Lord and in his word that keeps us safe. By this faith, we are saved.
Fifth, The “helmet of salvation” keeps our mind on His salvation and the promise of His grace for eternity? What a great Lord we serve!
Lastly, “the sword of the spirit” represents the whole word of God. It is our main defense against the devil. Each word of the Bible is like a wound to Satan’s heart, because it is the truth and the foundation of our lives.
We are all ambassadors of Christ and we are to use these pieces of armor in our everyday lives, because we are at war with the enemy. With our armor through Christ, we are winning that battle, one day at a time.
Remember: pick up your cross and your armor and go!