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Armor of God
I thought it would be very beneficial and interesting for us to do a study on the armor of God! I love this stuff! :)
Ephesians 6:10-11, 14-17 “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… 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."
We are not to use this armor to seek out the Devil, we are to “stand firm.” The attacks will come, that is inevitable, and we are to be prepared. This entire passage directs our attention to the necessity of knowing God’s word, the belt of truth, the readiness from the gospel, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. For without knowledge of scripture we are left to stand against the enemy with only our own strength. In his second letter to the Corinthians Paul tells us, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Cor 10:3-5) We are not to fight the enemy with manmade weapons; we are to use divine power, the Word. This demolishing of strongholds, if the stronghold is within us, is what Bobby Bodenhamer refers to as Bitter Roots (Hebrews 12:15), the places in us that the enemy occupies.
Greek heavy armor also has an interesting feature or lack thereof: it did not provide any protection for the back. The Greek soldier was forced to face him enemy, and would never consider turning away from the enemy because his back was exposed. We too should never turn our back on the enemy, when we stand and face him in the armor of God, he does not have power over us.
This pattern is effective for the direct attacks of the enemy, but it is also very valuable in everyday life. Imagine going through a challenging day, a job interview, a business meeting, or teaching a small group with the Armor of God on. How does that image differ from the last time you faced such a situation relying only on your own strength?
The Pattern
Choose a situation in which you may be challenged, attacked, or even might need to be proactive to accomplish a goal.
1.
The Belt of Truth: The belt, the Word of God holds the rest of the armor in place, we can have on the armor but without the Word, the armor will not protect us. So what is the Biblical truth in this situation, what specifically does the Bible tell us? Physically imagine putting on a wide leather belt with the Word of God stamped on it. What Scriptures will encourage you in this situation?
2.
The Breastplate of Righteousness: Psalm 119:172 states, “For all your commandments are righteousness.” Ancient Christians did not believe the mind was the center of their being. It is not coincidence that most ancient readers considered the heart and vital organs as the center of their being. Imagine putting on a metal breastplate inscribed with all the Commandments of God. Create a visual image of your breastplate with the ten commandments written on it. The breastplate is primarily meant to protect the heart, and vital organs.
3.
Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace: The Scriptures give us firm footing to stand on, we do not lose our footing because of our doubts, we do not trip because we are secure in the word. We are also able to move where the Lord guides us. The NASB and King James both use the word "preparation" in place of "readiness", meaning this is something we must do in advance. When the enemy attacks, it is too late to be looking to the gospel of peace. We must be prepared for such attacks before they happen, we must already have our footing. What scriptures ground you in the Word of God? What kind of boots represents this image for you? Reach down and lace up those boots and feel how they ground you. Imagine seeing those boots on your feet and physically bend over and lace up your boots.
4.
Taking up the shield of Faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one: The shield of the Greek soldier varied in size and shape, but Paul uses the Greek word Thureos, referring to a large 4’ by 2’ shield shaped like a door. These shields were wooden, covered with leather, and often before a battle the leather was soaked with water so flaming arrows would not catch the wood on fire. The Greek soldiers would line up with their shields side by side creating a wall in front of them. When they were attacked by archers, they would place the shields over their heads creating a solid structure protecting them from the arrows.
In this instance "faith" is the Greek word pistis, meaning a moral conviction of the truthfulness of God and especially reliance upon Christ for salvation. When we take up the shield of faith we are holding our convictions and our reliance upon Christ up for the enemy to see. When we stand with other Christians we create a wall of defense from the attacks of the enemy. Imagine holding a shield in front of yourself that symbolizes your faith in God’s Word and your reliance on Christ’s salvation.
5.
The Helmet of Salvation: Salvation in this usage, sōtērion a derivative of sōtēr, a direct reference to Jesus the deliverer or savior. Paul is inferring that we should put on Jesus, who will preserve us. Put on the helmet of Salvation and be saved from danger or destruction, and feel a state of prosperity and happiness. The crests of ancient Greek helmets were often decorated with images of powerful beasts, Lions, Chimera’s, and Griffons, what animal or image is on the crest of your helmet? You may also choose to use the imagery of the original Greek helmets by choosing an animal that represents the power of Jesus.
6.
Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: Paul reinforces the importance of the word as an offensive tool to be used in the face of the enemy. Speaking the name of Jesus and saying scriptures out loud repels the attacks of the enemy. We are not stand idly by as we are being attacked; we are to stand firm and attack with the one weapon we have in the face of the enemy, the Word of God.
Ephesians 6:10-11, 14-17 “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… 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."
We are not to use this armor to seek out the Devil, we are to “stand firm.” The attacks will come, that is inevitable, and we are to be prepared. This entire passage directs our attention to the necessity of knowing God’s word, the belt of truth, the readiness from the gospel, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. For without knowledge of scripture we are left to stand against the enemy with only our own strength. In his second letter to the Corinthians Paul tells us, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Cor 10:3-5) We are not to fight the enemy with manmade weapons; we are to use divine power, the Word. This demolishing of strongholds, if the stronghold is within us, is what Bobby Bodenhamer refers to as Bitter Roots (Hebrews 12:15), the places in us that the enemy occupies.
Greek heavy armor also has an interesting feature or lack thereof: it did not provide any protection for the back. The Greek soldier was forced to face him enemy, and would never consider turning away from the enemy because his back was exposed. We too should never turn our back on the enemy, when we stand and face him in the armor of God, he does not have power over us.
This pattern is effective for the direct attacks of the enemy, but it is also very valuable in everyday life. Imagine going through a challenging day, a job interview, a business meeting, or teaching a small group with the Armor of God on. How does that image differ from the last time you faced such a situation relying only on your own strength?
The Pattern
Choose a situation in which you may be challenged, attacked, or even might need to be proactive to accomplish a goal.
1.
The Belt of Truth: The belt, the Word of God holds the rest of the armor in place, we can have on the armor but without the Word, the armor will not protect us. So what is the Biblical truth in this situation, what specifically does the Bible tell us? Physically imagine putting on a wide leather belt with the Word of God stamped on it. What Scriptures will encourage you in this situation?
2.
The Breastplate of Righteousness: Psalm 119:172 states, “For all your commandments are righteousness.” Ancient Christians did not believe the mind was the center of their being. It is not coincidence that most ancient readers considered the heart and vital organs as the center of their being. Imagine putting on a metal breastplate inscribed with all the Commandments of God. Create a visual image of your breastplate with the ten commandments written on it. The breastplate is primarily meant to protect the heart, and vital organs.
3.
Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace: The Scriptures give us firm footing to stand on, we do not lose our footing because of our doubts, we do not trip because we are secure in the word. We are also able to move where the Lord guides us. The NASB and King James both use the word "preparation" in place of "readiness", meaning this is something we must do in advance. When the enemy attacks, it is too late to be looking to the gospel of peace. We must be prepared for such attacks before they happen, we must already have our footing. What scriptures ground you in the Word of God? What kind of boots represents this image for you? Reach down and lace up those boots and feel how they ground you. Imagine seeing those boots on your feet and physically bend over and lace up your boots.
4.
Taking up the shield of Faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one: The shield of the Greek soldier varied in size and shape, but Paul uses the Greek word Thureos, referring to a large 4’ by 2’ shield shaped like a door. These shields were wooden, covered with leather, and often before a battle the leather was soaked with water so flaming arrows would not catch the wood on fire. The Greek soldiers would line up with their shields side by side creating a wall in front of them. When they were attacked by archers, they would place the shields over their heads creating a solid structure protecting them from the arrows.
In this instance "faith" is the Greek word pistis, meaning a moral conviction of the truthfulness of God and especially reliance upon Christ for salvation. When we take up the shield of faith we are holding our convictions and our reliance upon Christ up for the enemy to see. When we stand with other Christians we create a wall of defense from the attacks of the enemy. Imagine holding a shield in front of yourself that symbolizes your faith in God’s Word and your reliance on Christ’s salvation.
5.
The Helmet of Salvation: Salvation in this usage, sōtērion a derivative of sōtēr, a direct reference to Jesus the deliverer or savior. Paul is inferring that we should put on Jesus, who will preserve us. Put on the helmet of Salvation and be saved from danger or destruction, and feel a state of prosperity and happiness. The crests of ancient Greek helmets were often decorated with images of powerful beasts, Lions, Chimera’s, and Griffons, what animal or image is on the crest of your helmet? You may also choose to use the imagery of the original Greek helmets by choosing an animal that represents the power of Jesus.
6.
Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: Paul reinforces the importance of the word as an offensive tool to be used in the face of the enemy. Speaking the name of Jesus and saying scriptures out loud repels the attacks of the enemy. We are not stand idly by as we are being attacked; we are to stand firm and attack with the one weapon we have in the face of the enemy, the Word of God.
April, I love it! Thank you for sharing that! I'm having my Bible study tomorrow morning; we're studying the book of Hewbrews.
Susie, that is beautiful :) I'm going to write it down :) I love it.
Susie, that is beautiful :) I'm going to write it down :) I love it.
I like that! That would be a good prayer to pray each morning. Thanks for sharing, Sassy!
I would like to share this prayer with you, I got it from Pastor Charles Stanley Magazine. It is called "Praying On The Armor Of God" It is great to say every morning before we even get out of bed.
Father God, I know that as I get out of bed today, I am stepping onto a battlefield. But I also know You have given me everything I need to stand firm against attack. So, in the power of Your Holy Spirit, I put on the armor of God:
First, I place the helmet of salvation on my head. Protect my mind and imagination, and guard my eyes, that no sin would creep in, focus my thoughts steadily on the things of God.
Second, let the breastplate of righteousness keep my heart and emotions safe.
Third, let me not be governed by my feelings but by truth. Wrap Your Word around the very core of my being like a belt, and safeguard me from error.
Fourth, I put on the sandals of peace to guide my steps. Plant my feet in Your truth, and empower me to stand firm against attack.
Next, I take up the shield of faith. Protect me from the fiery arrows of the Enemy, and stand me shoulder to shoulder with Your army to create a wall of opposition to the Devil's schemes.
Finally, I take up the sword of the Spirit--Your Word. Set it in my heart and mind in a fresh, exciting way so I will always be ready to deflect attacks and to pierce hearts with Your truth.
I know I will face assaults today, Lord, but You have empowered me to stand firm. Give me strength and wisdom for the battle today.
Father God, I know that as I get out of bed today, I am stepping onto a battlefield. But I also know You have given me everything I need to stand firm against attack. So, in the power of Your Holy Spirit, I put on the armor of God:
First, I place the helmet of salvation on my head. Protect my mind and imagination, and guard my eyes, that no sin would creep in, focus my thoughts steadily on the things of God.
Second, let the breastplate of righteousness keep my heart and emotions safe.
Third, let me not be governed by my feelings but by truth. Wrap Your Word around the very core of my being like a belt, and safeguard me from error.
Fourth, I put on the sandals of peace to guide my steps. Plant my feet in Your truth, and empower me to stand firm against attack.
Next, I take up the shield of faith. Protect me from the fiery arrows of the Enemy, and stand me shoulder to shoulder with Your army to create a wall of opposition to the Devil's schemes.
Finally, I take up the sword of the Spirit--Your Word. Set it in my heart and mind in a fresh, exciting way so I will always be ready to deflect attacks and to pierce hearts with Your truth.
I know I will face assaults today, Lord, but You have empowered me to stand firm. Give me strength and wisdom for the battle today.
This was my own study, lol. Still good though!
Amen sister...that is very good....would love to be able to go to one of your Bible studies in person.....God Bless....brian
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