Equipping for Victory: A Detailed Guide to Putting on the Armor of God

In the Christian life, we are engaged in a spiritual battle, not 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 (Ephesians 6:12). To stand firm and resist the enemy’s attacks, we need divine protection and strength. That’s where the Armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18, comes into play. This isn’t a literal suit of armor, but a symbolic representation of the spiritual resources and qualities God provides for our protection and victory. This article will guide you through a detailed understanding and practical application of each piece of this essential armor.

Understanding the Spiritual Battlefield

Before diving into the armor, it’s crucial to understand the nature of the battle we are in. This is not a physical conflict but a spiritual one, fought in the unseen realms. Our enemy, Satan, and his demonic forces are constantly scheming to deceive, discourage, and destroy us. They target our minds, emotions, and relationships. Recognizing the enemy’s tactics is the first step in effectively utilizing the armor God provides.

Satan’s attacks often manifest as:

• Lies and Deception: He distorts truth, plants doubts, and tries to make us question God’s goodness and love.
• Temptation: He entices us with worldly desires and things that pull us away from God.
• Accusation: He tries to make us feel guilty, unworthy, and condemned.
• Discouragement: He attempts to rob us of our joy, peace, and hope, leading us to despair.
• Division: He sows discord and conflict in our relationships with God and others.

Knowing that this is the arena where the battle is taking place is half the work. If we understand our adversary we are better equipped to fight.

The Six Pieces of the Armor of God

Ephesians 6:14-17 lists six key pieces of armor, each representing a specific spiritual resource or quality. We will examine each one in detail, along with practical ways to put them on.

1. The Belt of Truth

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth…” (Ephesians 6:14a)

The belt was a crucial part of the Roman soldier’s uniform. It held everything else together, including the sword and other tools. Similarly, the belt of truth is the foundation of our spiritual armor. It represents integrity, honesty, and unwavering commitment to God’s Word. This means:

• Knowing God’s Word: We must diligently study the Bible, understand its teachings, and allow it to shape our beliefs and actions. Make it a habit of personal bible study, read a little bit every day. There are many plans online if you need help getting started.
• Living with Integrity: Our actions should match our words. We must be truthful in our dealings with others, even when it’s difficult. Practicing honesty even when there is temptation is crucial.
• Rejecting Lies: We need to recognize and reject the enemy’s lies, replacing them with God’s truth. Ask yourself, where does the information originate? Is it from the mouth of God? Or is it an echo of your enemy?

How to Put on the Belt of Truth:

1. Daily Bible Study: Set aside time each day to read and meditate on God’s Word. You can find reading plans online that can help keep you on track.
2. Memorize Scripture: Commit key verses to memory, so you can recall them when you’re facing temptation or attack.
3. Journaling: Write down what God is teaching you from His word, reflecting on your personal application of it.
4. Pray for Truth: Ask God to reveal any areas of deception in your life and to give you the strength to live honestly.

2. The Breastplate of Righteousness

“… having put on the breastplate of righteousness…” (Ephesians 6:14b)

The breastplate protected the vital organs of a soldier. Spiritually, the breastplate of righteousness guards our hearts and minds. This righteousness is not earned through our good works, but it’s the imputed righteousness of Christ. It means:

• Accepting God’s Gift: We must believe that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross paid the price for our sins, and we are made righteous through our faith in Him.
• Seeking God’s Will: We should strive to live a life that pleases God by obeying His commands.
• Confessing Sin: When we stumble and sin, we must confess our wrongdoing, seeking God’s forgiveness.

How to Put on the Breastplate of Righteousness:

1. Daily Confession and Repentance: Confess your sins to God, asking for His forgiveness and cleansing. This is not a one time deal but something that must be done regularly.
2. Seeking Righteousness Through Christ: Affirm your belief that it’s Christ’s righteousness that protects you.
3. Practicing Righteous Living: Make conscious choices to obey God’s Word and live a life that honors Him in all that you do.
4. Prayer: Pray that you will be able to discern right from wrong and be able to choose what is right.

3. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

“…and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace…” (Ephesians 6:15)

Roman soldiers wore sturdy shoes that allowed them to stand firm and maneuver quickly on the battlefield. Similarly, our shoes of the Gospel of peace enable us to be ready to share the good news and stand firm against any opposition. This means:

• Being Ready to Share: We must be prepared to share the Gospel with others, sharing our faith at every opportunity.
• Living in Peace: We should actively seek peace in our relationships with others, even when it’s difficult.
• Standing Firm: We need to stand firm in our faith, regardless of persecution or challenges.

How to Put on the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace:

1. Study and Know the Gospel: Be able to clearly and concisely articulate the core message of the Gospel.
2. Pray for Opportunities: Ask God to give you opportunities to share your faith with those around you.
3. Practice Forgiveness: Forgive others as Christ has forgiven you, fostering peace and reconciliation.
4. Be a Witness: Let your life be a living example of the peace that comes through Christ, in your relationships with others.

4. The Shield of Faith

“… above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16)

Roman soldiers used large shields to protect themselves from arrows and other projectiles. Likewise, the shield of faith protects us from the enemy’s attacks, specifically his fiery darts of doubt, fear, and temptation. This means:

• Trusting God: We must have unwavering faith in God’s promises, even when circumstances seem impossible.
• Believing God’s Word: We need to base our faith on the truths of Scripture, not on our feelings or experiences.
• Resisting Doubt: We should reject the enemy’s attempts to plant seeds of doubt in our minds, replace with with prayer.

How to Put on the Shield of Faith:

1. Pray for Increased Faith: Ask God to strengthen your faith and to help you believe in His power.
2. Reflect on God’s Faithfulness: Remember times when God has answered your prayers and been faithful to His promises.
3. Meditate on Scripture: Focus on verses that encourage faith and trust in God.
4. Declare your Faith: Speak out your faith, even when it is difficult, affirming your trust in God’s word.

5. The Helmet of Salvation

“And take the helmet of salvation…” (Ephesians 6:17a)

The helmet protected the head, which is the seat of our thoughts and will. The helmet of salvation protects our minds from the enemy’s lies and deception. It means:

• Knowing Your Identity in Christ: We must be secure in our salvation and know that we are God’s children, that our souls are saved.
• Renewing Your Mind: We need to filter our thoughts through the lens of Scripture, replacing lies with truth.
• Resisting Wrong Thinking: We must actively resist thoughts that are not in line with God’s Word and His will.

How to Put on the Helmet of Salvation:

1. Affirm your Salvation: Remind yourself that you are saved through faith in Christ.
2. Practice Mind Renewal: Focus your thoughts on God’s word and truth, using it to filter your thought life.
3. Take Captive Every Thought: Actively take your thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, choosing to dwell on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.
4. Pray for Discernment: Ask God to help you discern between truth and lies, protecting your mind from the enemy’s attacks.

6. The Sword of the Spirit

“…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…” (Ephesians 6:17b)

The sword was a Roman soldier’s primary weapon for attack and defense. The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is our spiritual weapon against the enemy. It is used for both defense and offense. It means:

• Knowing the Word: We must become familiar with the Word of God, reading it and memorizing it for daily use.
• Using the Word: We should use the Word of God to resist temptation, confront lies, and proclaim God’s truth to others.
• Applying the Word: We must apply the word to our own lives.

How to Put on the Sword of the Spirit:

1. Memorize Scripture: Commit key verses to memory so you can use them in spiritual battle, and as needed.
2. Study the Word in Context: Make sure you understand the context of the verses, to make sure you use them effectively.
3. Pray for Understanding: Ask God to help you understand His Word and to apply it to your daily life.
4. Use Scripture in Prayer: Incorporate Scripture into your prayers, speaking God’s Word back to Him.

The Importance of Prayer

“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 6:18)

While not technically part of the armor, prayer is the essential element that empowers us to effectively use the armor. It’s how we connect with God, receive His strength, and engage in spiritual warfare. We should be praying consistently for ourselves and for other believers. This means:

• Praying in the Spirit: Being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in our prayers.
• Praying with Perseverance: Not giving up in prayer, continuing to pray even when we don’t see immediate results.
• Praying for Others: Interceding for the needs of other believers, as well as for those who do not yet know Christ.

How to Engage in Effective Prayer:

1. Set Aside Time: Dedicate specific times to pray, making prayer a regular habit.
2. Pray with Specificity: Pray for specific needs and situations, not just general requests.
3. Listen to the Spirit: Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your prayers.
4. Pray in Faith: Believe that God hears and answers your prayers.

Putting it All Together

Putting on the Armor of God is not a one-time event but a daily practice. It requires intentionality, discipline, and dependence on God. Here are some practical ways to integrate this into your daily life:

• Morning Prayer and Devotion: Start your day by putting on the armor of God through prayer and reading scripture.
• Awareness Throughout the Day: Be mindful of your thoughts, actions, and reactions. Ask yourself if you are standing in truth.
• Regular Self-Reflection: Examine your life honestly and identify any areas where you need to strengthen your spiritual armor.
• Accountability: Share your struggles and progress with other believers who can support and encourage you.
• Focus on God’s Power: Remember the armor is not something we must do in our own power, but it is a gift of God. Focus on this while you use the armor.

Conclusion

The Armor of God is not a magic formula but a divine provision for believers to stand firm and resist the enemy’s attacks. By understanding each piece of armor and putting them on daily, we can be equipped for victory in the spiritual battles we face. Remember, we don’t fight *for* victory, we fight *from* victory, secured through Jesus Christ. With God’s help, we are able to overcome and live as a true testament to His glory.