Everyday brings fresh battles, but with a new battle comes the prospect of a new victory. Christ promises us victory, because He causes us to triumph. The battles we face come at the hands of the enemy. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1Peter 5:8 NKJV).” He is resilient in the sense that he doesn’t quit easily. He brings attacks to stop you in your mission and calling. His desire is to “ steal, kill, and destroy you.” But you have been given armor for the battle. To walk and maintain victory you must remain fully armored.
God has given you spiritual armor to protect from spiritual assaults from the enemy. He attacks the mind because he lacks the power or authority to attack anything else. His only hope is use your power and authority against you. You have the power of faith as a new creation of Jesus Christ. The only only one that can touch you and bring you harm spiritually is yourself. So the devil attacks your mind in hopes that you will steal, kill, and destroy from yourself. When you stay fully armored no attacks can even land because your mind is protected, and every thought is brought captive to the obedience of Christ.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 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, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.(Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV)”
The armor of God mentioned in the passage is put on when you believe in Christ and Christ alone for your salvation. You utilize the armor as you keep your mind on the truth presented with each piece. The armor is not something you take off and put on, but is used simply by resting by faith in Christ. Let’s look at each piece of the armor.
The Belt of Truth
The belt of truth keeps you centered. Jesus is the truth(John 14:6), and He is the truth that sets you free(John 8:32). Jesus is the belt of truth, because He holds you together and keeps all the armor of God in the right place.
Breastplate of Righteousness
The breastplate of righteousness protects your heart. Jesus is this piece of armor because He is the one who has made you righteous. “Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.(Romans 5:1 NET)” There is no room for fear or guilt or shame or condemnation, because Christ has carried your sin as far as the East is from the West, and has given you His perfect righteousness. In Christ there is nothing left to separate you from God. Only perfect righteousness to keep you close to the Father is left. Rejoice in this, that, “God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.(2 Corinthians 5:21 NET)” Knowing and resting in this truly protects your heart.
Gospel Shoes
Jesus has delivered you from sin and your old life. He has given you a mission to share The good news of a happy gracious God, who entered history to redeem His creation. Jesus plants your feet firmly in the foundation of the peace He has given you with the Father. He gives the traction to always be about the Father’s business of heralding good news.
Shield of Faith
Your faith is a shield to protect you from the enemy’s attacks. Your faith is a gift from God. He has dealt to each person the measure of faith (Romans 12:3). Your part is using the faith God has given you. Simply grip this shield and hold it firm, and no flaming arrow will get through. This faith is essential because your shield is armor for your armor. It protects you and the other armor you wear.
Helmet of Salvation
The helmet protects your mind. Satan schemes to twist your mind. Wicked comes from the same root word that we get wicker from, like wicker chairs. Satan wants your mind filled with wickedness, which means simple to twist it. Christ has a better will for you. He wants you to cover and fill your mind with the truth that you are saved by His grace through His perfect works. This helmet of salvation does just that. And the icing on the cake is that not only has Christ totally saved you and your mind, He has also given you His mind, if you will use it.
Sword of the Spirit
The final piece is the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God. Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. Not only does he speak to you through the Bible, but also through His Holy Spirit. This is your weapon. Christ’s word to you is how you fight. Believe what He says and speak what He says. When you do that Satan crumbles like the weakling He really is.
Focus on Christ and stay fully armored. This is the formula for living in Victory.
Refreshing Grace 