Welcome to our NEW devo series: “Armor of God”. For the next 6 weeks we will be looking at the armor of God listed in Ephesians 6:13-17. Paul, who wrote this letter to the Ephesian church, was writing from a Roman imprisonment. He likely saw the Roman soldiers dressed in their full armor every day. And I imagine as he pondered the message that God was giving him for the blossoming church in Ephesus (and for you and me!), the figure of these soldiers and the armor that protected them on a daily basis helped to put symbolism to the truths he was trying to convey.  

“Belt of Truth” 

The “belt” here is more like a girdle that a soldier would wear. This was the first piece of armor that was put on. The belt created stability and strength for the soldier, and every other piece of armor was held up by this belt. Without the belt, the soldier would not have been able to wear their armor and still be effective in battle.  

Likewise, the truth of Christ is the first piece of armor and holds up every other piece. Without truth, we cannot rightly walk in righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, or the Word of God. We need this truth to strengthen us and give us stability. We also need the truth of Christ to both define and sustain each subsequent piece of armor. 

“Breastplate of Righteousness” 

The breastplate protected the soldier from attack to his most vital organs. This breastplate stretched the length of the soldier’s torso and shielded him from a fatal blow. It protected his heart, his stomach, and his gut. This breastplate also carried the emblem of his country, announcing his allegiance for all the world to plainly see.  

Likewise, the righteousness of Christ is given to us through the blood of Christ as protection to our most vital spiritual organs. When we walk in the righteousness of Christ (not our own), we are protected from the blows of the enemy that would seek to go in for a kill-shot. Also, the righteousness of Christ acts as an emblem announcing our allegiance to Christ and His kingdom. We put it on as a way to tell the enemy and the world around us that we belong to the Most High King. 

“Shoes of Peace”  

The shoes of the soldier were solid and firm, wrapping up his leg sometimes as high as his knee. These shoes often had spikes in the bottom of the sole that gave the soldier stability and the ability to stand firm on rocky or loose ground. These shoes were meant to carry the soldier into battle and travel, taking him where he needed to go and strengthening every step he took along the way. 

Likewise, the peace that we are given in and through Christ strengthens every step we take. Like the spikes that helped the soldier stand firm, Christ’s peace steadies us on rocky and loose ground that would otherwise see us fall. The peace of God encompasses our feet and helps us to take whatever steps we are called to take in the name of Christ. 

“Shield of Faith” 

The shield was a long, firm shield that protected most of the soldier’s body. He could crouch behind it and be completely safe from incoming arrows or the attack of the enemy. In addition, when used together, a company of soldiers could line their shields up side-by-side to form a barricade or a canopy that protected them all. Joined together, the soldier’s shields were even more effective for the fight. If a soldier were fallen or hurt, his comrades would gather around him with their shields to not only protect themselves, but also their fallen friend.  

Likewise, our faith is the very thing that wards off the attack of the enemy. The Bible says that it extinguishes the flaming arrows of the enemy. Used against our foe, our faith is the very thing that stops his attack and douses the flames of his darts. Also, when used alongside other believers, our faith can be interwoven with that of our community to create an even stronger defense that not only protects us, but those around us. And when our brother or sister has fallen or is struggling, our faith can be the thing we use to guard them as they regroup and get back up. 

“Helmet of Salvation” 

The helmet of the soldier was a strong protection that guarded the soldier’s head from attack. It came down and surrounded the soldier’s neck as well, providing protection for the sides of his face. Atop the helmet often sat some sort of decorative element that spoke to which army the soldier belonged to as well as his rank or position in the military.  

Likewise, the helmet of salvation protects our minds from attack. No longer are our minds subject to every attack of the enemy. Instead, every thought can be filtered through the truth of our salvation. Also, like the breastplate of righteousness, this helmet is a symbol of our allegiance. It tells the world and the enemy that we belong to Jesus. And not only do we belong, but we hold the rank of a chosen, beloved, son or daughter of the Most High King, heir with Christ, forgiven and redeemed. 

“The Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” 

This is the only offensive piece of armor that we are given. All other pieces of armor are for defense and the declaration of who we belong to. But the word of God is our sword. Stored tightly at his side and always firmly in his hand for battle, the sword became like an extension of the soldier. He trained with it night and day so as to be the very best he could be. He practiced drills and techniques to become more skilled at using it to fend off his enemy. A good sword was perfectly balanced, perfectly sharpened, and perfectly made.  

Likewise, the Word of God is our sword, given to us by our great Father and leader. It is perfectly balanced in His truth, perfectly sharpened to cut through any lies, and perfectly made by His eternal hand. He gives us this sword to fight the good fight. But like the soldier, we too need to practice. The sword is only as good as our ability to use it. We cannot wait till the battle begins to start to familiarize ourselves with this weapon. We must know it, practice with it, and become so comfortable with it that it becomes like an extension of ourselves.