Category Archives: Armor

Armor, Bible, Helmet, Scripture, Sword

THE HELMET AND SWORD

EPHESIANS 6:17

“And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

I’ve never had a job where I had to wear a helmet or a hard hat. But those professions that require it know the importance of it. Take a fireman, for instance. His job requires him to battle fires which often include falling debris. That helmet protects his noggin. The soldier is the same. Helmets in battle can deflect bullets or shrapnel. And even in sports, the helmet protects football players from serious injuries

Paul had seen plenty of Roman soldiers in his day. Those helmets they wore often had plumes of feathers on the top and were usually metal. Those swords they carried were called machaira. They were short daggers used primarily for stabbing. That meant close hand-to-hand combat. Paul knew what we were up against.

APPLICATION

I don’t think any of us are going to go out and buy a helmet and sword, are we? But we don’t need it for the battle we are waging. We are already equipped with these two pieces. We have the helmet of salvation because we have confessed our sins and have asked Jesus to save us. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8, we read again, “But since we are of the day, let’s be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.” Our salvation is our hope, and it is a sure hope.

Then Paul calls that sword “the word of God.” What did he mean by that? The word is our weapon against the enemy. Why? Because it is always true. It will never fail. It will not rust or decay. It is timeless. The writer of Hebrews says this about the Word. In Hebrews 4:12 it says, “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” 

Sword and helmet! Are you equipped? You will be in the battle. You need to have the armor. Don’t make the mistake and leave home without it. We have an adversary who is equipped. I promise you that. Be ready!

Thank You, Lord, for my helmet and sword.

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Armor, Bible, Righteousness, Scripture, Truth

THE FIRST TWO PIECES OF THE ARMOR

EPHESIANS 6:14

“Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,”

Before we dive into the parts of the armor Paul describes here, we need to look at that very first verb, “stand firm.” It is the only action verb in verses 14-18. All the rest are participles that tie back to the main verb, “stand firm.” But there is an order here. You can’t stand firm until you have put on all the armor. We can’t run out into battle putting on our gear. No! It has to be on and fixed properly.

Paul lists the first two pieces of the Christian’s armor in today’s verse, truth and righteousness. He compares them to the girdle that was worn over the loins or waist area and to the breastplate that covered from the neck to the top of the thighs. There may be no particular reason why he compared these pieces of armor to these two areas, but that hasn’t stopped scholars from speculating. I want to share some observations from Albert Barnes’ commentary on this verse, but there many others out there with excellent descriptions of this armor. Check them out on www.BibleHub.com.

APPLICATION

The first thing a soldier would put on would be his girdle. Barnes says this about this piece of the armor. “The idea here may be, that as the girdle was the bracer up, or support of the body, so truth is suited to brace us up, and to gird us for constancy and firmness. The girdle kept all the parts of the armor in their proper place, and preserved firmness and consistency in the dress; and so truth might serve to give consistency and firmness to our conduct.” I have often said that truth is the glue that binds us all together. 

Then we have the breastplate. I absolutely love Barnes’ discussion on this. “The king of Israel was smitten by an arrow sent from a bow, drawn at a venture, ‘between the joints of his harness’ or the ‘breast-plate’ (margin), 1 Kings 22:34; and many a man who thinks he has on the ‘Christian’ armor is smitten in the same manner. There is some defect of character; some want of incorruptible integrity; some point that is unguarded – and that will be sure to be the point of attack by the foe. So, David was tempted to commit the enormous crimes that stain his memory, and Peter to deny his Lord. So, Judas was assailed, for the want of the armor of righteousness, through his avarice; and so, by some want of incorruptible integrity in a single point, many a minister of the gospel has been assailed and has fallen. It may be added here that we need a righteousness which God alone can give; the righteousness of God our Savior, to make us perfectly invulnerable to all the arrows of the foe.”

That was long, I know, but wasn’t it a great thought? I have personally known men who had a chink in their armor which allowed the enemy’s arrow to pierce. Make sure your armor is fitted properly and is being maintained. Don’t get caught off-guard.

Lord, we praise You for outfitting us so well.

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Armor, Battles, Bible, Devil, Evil, Satan, Scripture

WITHSTAND

EPHESIANS 6:13

“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

Man, do I love bread! Just ask my wife. I could eat a dozen hot biscuits with honey. And those Red Lobster garlic biscuits are to die for. But I have to withstand temptation or bust my britches, lol. The temptation is great. I am easily led astray, I’ll admit it. But when I am successful and withstand the freshly baked bread, I feel better. I know I have made the right choice.

Now, Paul is not talking about sticking to your diet in today’s verse. But he is talking about fully resisting the evil one and all his lures. The Greek word for “resist” is “anthístēmi (from antí, ‘opposite/against’ and hístēmi, ‘to stand’) – to take a complete stand against, i.e. a ‘180 degree, contrary position’; to establish one’s position publicly by conspicuously ‘holding one’s ground,’ i.e. refusing to be moved (‘pushed back’). (HELPS Word studies)

APPLICATION

This word can also mean to “forcefully declare one’s personal conviction.” It was a military term meaning to strongly resist an opponent. I think you get the picture. You have to resist. You have to take a stand. You have to be prepared (thus the armor) for anything that comes your way.

Anthístēmi is also used in James 4:7 that says, “Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” It is also 1 Peter 5:9 where we read, “So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world.” Paul, James and Peter all knew the importance of resisting the devil. They had all personally experienced his attacks and knew how to resist him.

You have to equip yourself with the Word. Jesus used the Word to battle Satan in the wilderness. Why should we try anything else? Know the Word. Use the Word. Watch the Word repel the devil’s attacks. We have no reason to fear him. Withstand Warrior!

Lord, I am so thankful that You have equipped me to withstand the evil one in evil days.  

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Armor, Bible, Equipping, Fighting, Scripture

LET’S GET DRESSED

EPHESIANS 6:11

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

Over the next several days, we will look at Ephesians 6:11-18 as it relates to putting on the armor of God. Many people compare this to the imagery of us putting on Christ’s garment of grace. However you look at it, these are important verses for every believer. If you are not dressed right for any job, you are in trouble. A soldier must be dressed correctly for battle. A fireman must have the proper equipment to fight a fire. And you must have God’s armor on correctly to fight against the enemy who is determined to bring you down.

Paul tells us this by stating a command. He uses the Aorist Imperative. Why is that important? Because the Aorist tense signifies a past action. So what, Carl. Well, hang on. That means you are equipped with the armor back at some point. God gives you all this equipment, this suit of armor at salvation. This armor fits everyone, young or old, fat or skinny. It conforms to your perfect size. Why? So you can fight against the devil.

APPLICATION

We’re going to look at the different parts of this armor in the coming days. In verse 11, Paul is laying out the picture. We need to be protected because Paul knows the enemy is going to attack us. We have to face him head on. Notice Paul says to put on the “full” armor of God. You can’t just put on one piece and be protected. You need it all.

I have never served in the military, but people I know who have talk about the importance of being fully equipped. You don’t want to get into a fire fight and not have enough bullets. You don’t want to be stuck with a weapon that is not suitable for the scenario. You need to know what you are getting into.

My final point today – you need to know your enemy. Paul didn’t say we need the armor to do nothing. You are to “stand firm” against who? The devil. Paul says he has “schemes” set up against you. The Greek word there talks about the devil having an organized evil doing planned for you. Don’t step out without making sure you armor is in place. That is the downfall of many a person.

O Lord, thank You for equipping me with Your armor to fight against the evil one.

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