Author’s Note: Interested readers can find all previous volumes of this series here. News Flash: The first 56 volumes are compiled into a book titled “Bible Study For Those Who Don’t Read the Bible.” More details at the end. Now back to our regular programming.
Thanks for joining our study and a warm welcome to new readers. Today we explore one of the Bible’s most meaningful and poetic passages. In my humble opinion, the “Armor of God” ranks high among the world’s most revered poetry that can be appreciated even if one does not believe St. Paul’s message.
And what is Paul’s message? A playbook about how to personally triumph in earthly and spiritual battles against evil by fortifying oneself with God’s power, strength, truth, and the Word of God.
First, read this beloved passage found in the New Testament book of Ephesians:
“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” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Now let’s apply Roman-era battle gear analogies to your life, struggles, and faith walk.
While researching this study, I found a praiseworthy lesson on PursuitBible.com titled “Put on the Whole Armor of God – What it Means & How to Do It” by Pastor David Kim. He explains that the “full armor is meant to bring strength, stability, and encouragement so you can receive all that God has for you.” And adds, “The whole armor is the expression of your full trust in God and what He has done for you through Jesus Christ. Your victory in spiritual warfare was secured at the cross of Christ and the blood that was shed there.”
When Paul wrote, “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power,” he conveyed that human strength — be it physical, mental, spiritual — will always be inadequate compared to the Lord’s mighty power. Thus, faith in Him should be the source of our strength when we “battle” any rulers, authorities, or evil spiritual forces that present challenges or hardship. The armor of God that protects us has six components:
1. The “belt of truth buckled around your waist.”
In my NIV Study Bible, Isaiah chapter 11 is subtitled “The Branch From Jesse” — a Messianic prophecy naming King David’s father — a branch of Jesus’s earthly family tree. One verse in this amazing prophetic chapter that describes Jesus about 735 years before his birth reads: “Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist” (Isaiah 11:5).
Pastor Kim explains that Romans used belts to keep their armor in place; however, “the belt is not part of the armor.” He writes, “To put on the belt of truth means to put your full trust in God’s truth and in what He says.”
2. The “breastplate of righteousness.” Isaiah chapter 59 is considered another Messianic prophesy where the Redeemer (not named) intervenes in the fight to bring about justice and truth. Read more background here, but it sure sounds like Jesus:
“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” (Isaiah 59:17).
Now we know from where Paul got his inspiration for the armor of God. The footnote in my NIV Study Bible says, “The Lord’s armor is compared to the believer’s armor in the battle against Satan in Ephesians 6.” That means God has given us the same armor to wear that He wore in Isaiah 59:17. A stunning revelation!
3. “Your feet fitted with the readiness from the gospel of peace.”
The shoes worn by Roman soldiers provided comfort and protection for battle.
4. “The shield of faith.” Using this shield “extinguishes the flaming arrows from the evil one.” Faith in the Lord can and will protect you, but first, you must pick up his faith shield.
5. “Helmet of Salvation.” Again, Paul references the Redeemer’s headgear from Isaiah 59:17.
6. “Sword of the Spirit.” Paul writes that the Word of God is the sword best used against evil. And to pray in the name of God since these battles involve spiritual warfare where you must rely on God’s strength to fight and win.
Paster Kim writes, “The main point of the armor is not the analogy of the individual pieces but the reality and power of the spiritual weapons God has given you.”
Does anyone reading this study doubt that there is evil in the world that believers in Jesus Christ must confront daily? Is evil increasing?
Following Paul’s battle plan — with Isaiah as his prophetic co-writer from about 770 years earlier — is how you will be protected. However, even with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, protective footwear, your shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, YOU must remain strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. And when you feel weak, remember that believers are blessed with His armor that He has given you. Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a media producer and conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her new book, “Bible Study For Those Who Don’t Read The Bible,” reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study.
Myra is also Executive Director of SignFromGod.org, a ministry dedicated to Shroud of Turin education. On Oct. 9, the Museum of the Bible hosts a Shroud speaker’s event that includes SignFromGod board members. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com or Twitter @MyraKAdams.