In the middle of a spiritual battle, I described what I was going through to a mentor. She responded, “You need to study the Armor of God.” So I did. With copious notes. So many notes and supporting scriptures that I’m praying about writing a devotional on the topic. I thought, at the very least, I could summarize my three main take-aways for my readers in a blog post.
1. Only God has the power to defeat Satan.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”
Ephesians 6:10 (ESV)
We are ineffective in fighting spiritual battles on our own. I would even argue that we are ineffective fighting fleshly battles on our own. God is all-powerful. As Isaiah 9:6 foretells of Jesus, “his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Only through Christ’s death and resurrection are we given the gift of the Holy Spirit–God’s power in us.
In Paul’s prayer for the Colossians he prays that they would be, “strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power.” (Colossians 1:11a) Paul knows firsthand that the strengthening wouldn’t happen without God’s “glorious power.” One of my favorite sayings of Paul’s is from 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But [God] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2. The whole armor is necessary to defeat Satan.
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil…Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”Ephesians 6:11, 13
Paul makes very clear the truth that only part of God’s armor won’t do. In order to be fully protected against the enemy, we need to be fully covered. Every part of the armor has a purpose in this battle, or we become vulnerable to the devil’s schemes.
God requires us to adorn what is necessary for combat (Ephesians 14-17):
- The belt of truth: The belt protects the abdomen and gathers the garments so one might have freedom of movement. Matthew Henry comments on the belt of truth, “God desires truth, that is, sincerity, in the inward parts. This is the strength of our loins; and it girds on all other pieces of our armour, and therefore is first mentioned.” Truth is foundational to the Christian faith. All the other tenets of faith hang on truth
- The breastplate of righteousness: The breastplate protects your most vital organs. Righteousness can’t be earned because but can only be received as a gift by faith in Jesus.
- Shoes of the gospel of peace: David Guzik, in his commentary on this passage, states, “The gospel provides the footing for everything we do. However powerful the rest of your body is, if you are wounded in your feet you are easy prey for the enemy.”
- Shield of faith: This is a large oblong shield that protects the whole body from fiery arrows. Fiery darts are chaotic, confusing, and can come at you by surprise. They cause you to let down your guard so the enemy can attack the more vulnerable parts of you. Only by faith in Christ will you have strength enough and sound mind to hold firm the shield.
- Helmet of salvation: The helmet is just as much about protecting our mental health as it is our physical wellbeing. In the middle of warfare, Satan would like none other than for us to be caught unawares. Our hope is in the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- The sword of the spirit: The sword is the only offensive weapon we are given, but it is the most powerful weapon because it is filled with 100% truth. God’s Word contains everything we need to fight a spiritual battle. Satan is cunning and loves to twist God’s words, so our job is to know the Bible well.
3. The battle is against Satan, not another human being.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”Ephesians 6:12
This has been a really convicting truth for me lately. So convicting that I have heard or read this truth multiple times in the past couple of months. So often our spiritual battles have to do with how another person is treating us. Maybe that’s what you are facing today. The reality is that our enemy is not the person we’re having a conflict with–whether they are one of your children, a family member, a co-worker, a friend, etc… Our true enemy is with the one who tempted Eve in the garden in the first place.
There’s a reason that God has provided for us armor to use in spiritual attack. He knows that Satan is out to get us and he’ll use any means by which to trip us up–even our own loved ones. We must be diligent in getting familiar with our armor and our sword so that we can be ready for battle when the time comes.
Are you prepared for battle? Even if you aren’t in the middle of a battle today, attack can be just around the corner. Be prepared!
Bethany Marinelli is an author and speaker out of Orlando, Florida. She also supports her husband, Andrew, in his auto repair business and homeschools her son, Arthur.
If you enjoyed this article, please subscribe to this blog below and get a new post in your inbox monthly!