A) INTRODUCTION.

B) LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH.

C) HAVING ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

D) YOUR FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.

E) TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH.

F) TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION.

G) THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.

 

 

A) INTRODUCTION

 

 

The reason for God’s “armor” is because, “[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  Ephesians 6:11-12.

 

Focusing upon Ephesians Chapter 6, verses 13-17 especially, we can learn that this passage is about “prayer” (see verse 18).  We “pray” on “the whole armor of God” to protect our entire being.  We “pray” on “truth” to protect our “lions.”  We “pray” on “the breastplate of righteousness” to protect our heart.  We “pray” on the “gospel of peace” in order to “shod” our feet.  We “pray” on “the shield of faith” in order to be able to quench all the “fiery darts of the wicked.”  We “pray” on the “helmet” in order to have “salvation.”  And we “pray” on “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

 

Paul was not the first to incorporate this armor of God.  Isaiah is credited for Paul’s analogies:  “For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.”  Isaiah 59:17.  And Paul uses these analogies again in First Thessalonians 5:8:  “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”

 

Paul gives us the armor that must be worn in order to engage in spiritual warfare, let alone life’s own complications.  The Roman soldier wore a girdle, breastplate, shoes with iron nails, a helmet, and carried a great shield on his left arm.  His weapon was the sword.  All of these represent parts of the Christian’s spiritual armor.

 

The Christian armor is made to be worn; and there is no putting off of our armor until we are done with our warfare and finished our course.  The combat is neither against human enemies, nor against our own corrupt nature only, although this is most likely our worst enemy (we have found our enemy, and he is among us, and it is I).  We have our warfare with an enemy who has a thousand ways of beguiling unstable souls and thousands of years of experience.  We must resolve by our God’s grace not to yield to Satan.  Resist him and he will flee from us (Jam. 4:7).  If we give way, he will get and gain ground.  If we distrust either our cause, or our Leader, or our armor, we give him an advantage.

 

One last important point before we look at each item individually would be to know and understand that Paul makes no mention of any type of armor protecting the backside of the individual.  That is because the Romans (properly assuming he is describing a Roman soldier) believed that in battle a soldier should never turn his back to the enemy (or retreat for that matter).  Neither should the Christian back-down from a confrontation with the Devil.

 

The repetition in verses 11 and 14 about standing, shows that “standing” is maintaining our ground; not yielding or fleeing, which is the grand aim of the Christian soldier.  With this concept we are told therefore to take our “stand” with:

 

 

B) LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH

 

 

“In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:  in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.”  Ephesians 1:13.  “Truth” girds on all the other pieces of our armor, and as such is the first mentioned.  The “girdle” kept the armor in place, and was designed to gird the soldier on every side.  As such, so “truth” might serve to give consistency and firmness to our conduct.

 

“Truth” thus used, holds the Christian armor and supports the sword of the Spirit.  We are not only to be “girt about with” the “truths” of the Gospel, but with the “truth” of God’s Word in the inward parts; for without this all of our knowledge of Divine “truth” will prove but a poor girdle “in the evil day,” Ephesians 6:13.  So it is that our Lord is described in Isaiah 11:5:  “And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins.”  Therefore, as a “girded” man is always ready to go onto the battlefield.  Therefore, this correlates to an intimate and obedient heart with a ready will.

 

In Luke 12:35 our Lord states, “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning.”  Paul adds, “girt about with truth.”  By contrast, our Lord adds, keep “your lights burning.”  The illusion is that men should shine with their good works before them, that all may see and glorify God.  But this cannot be done without the protection of the “girdle.”

 

The loins were encircled by the “girdle” form the central point of the physical system.  Hence, in Scripture, the “loins”are described as the seat of power.  To smite through the “loins” is to strike a fatal blow.  To lay affliction upon the “loins” is to afflict heavily.  Here was the point of junction for the main pieces of the body-armor, so that the “girdle”formed the common bond of the whole.  “Truth” gives unity to the different virtues, and determinates the consistency of one’s character.  All the virtues and makeup of a person are exercised within this sphere of “truth.”   Our characters are comprised within the “loins;” our make-up as a righteous individual.  Our strength of determination to do right, even to the point of death; our will power, fortitude, resolve and purpose are hidden with this sphere.  We must also be ready to be on the move to present our God’s “truths” to the world.  So the Passover was eaten with the “loins” girt, and the shoes on the “feet,” Ephesians 6:15.

 

“There is absolutely no safeguard against evil but truth.  No man can stand firm for right in whose heart the truth does not abide.”  HP:179; AG:30.

 

 

C) HAVING ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

 

 

What is “righteousness?”  “Righteousness” is used here in the sense of moral rectitude.  It is “right living,” or “living right.”  But “righteous living,” or “living righteously,” according to what standards?  God’s Law of course!  “That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  Romans 8:4.  See also Psalm 119:144; Romans 2:26.

 

The “breastplate” was over the lungs and heart.  If Christ’s “righteousness” is over our hearts we can hardly suffer harm.  But the bigger picture is that we would incorporate into our lives the “righteousness of God” (Mic. 6:5; Rom. 1:7; 3:5 &21 & 2219:3; Jam. 1:20; 2Pe. 1:1 [which adds, “and our Saviour Jesus Christ”) into our heart.  In other words, our desires, aspirations, objectives and goals need to be in line with His and His alone.  Our lives must be lived in “righteousness,” and blamelessness, such that no weapon can get past the protection of the “breastplate.”  We must put on this righteousness of a spotless purity in which Christ will present us faultless before our God, through the merit of His own blood.  Or, in other words, “righteous living” is in line with the Commandments of God as given to us in His Word.

 

It is to be noted that no armor for the back is ever mentioned, or rather it is misunderstood as such.  For the “breastplate” does contain two parts; one covering the front and the other the back.  It was made of rings at the top, or in the form of scales, or of plates, so fastened together that they would be flexible; one coving the front, the other the back.

 

It should be understood that “righteousness” cannot live without “truth.”  So it is that “righteousness” is here joined with “truth,” as in Ephesians 5:9:  “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.”

 

However, consequently we are to conclude that we are always to face our enemies.  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), First Kings 22:34.  And so shall we be if we are found at the wedding feast of our Lord without the clothing of His choice, the “white robes,” Revelation 6:11; 7:9 & 13, of His “righteousness,” which is our “breastplate,” unless we be found without it, or, as in the case of the “ten virgins,” Matthew 25:2, be found not awake and facing our enemies.

 

“All who have put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness will stand before Him as chosen and faithful and true.  Satan has no power to pluck them out of the hand of the Saviour.  Not one soul who in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy’s power.”  AG:31.

 

 

D) YOUR FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE

 

 

Ephesians 6:15 may be translated in various ways:  “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace,” “having feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace,” or, “having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace.”  The key is a Greek word that can mean “preparedness.”  In other words, we are to be always in “preparation”to carry the “Gospel of peace” to anyone, at anytime; to be a messenger of good tidings.

 

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”  Isaiah 52:7.  With our “feet shod” and our “feet” thus covered, we can be ready to have them stand their ground, or to march forward into rugged paths.  With our “feet” thus covered we can then be protected against those thorns of which we must at times pass through.  Thus, we will not be tempted to look down and see what has scratched us upon our “feet,” which will stop the forward progress of our Christian walk.  The real thought is, “Not Looking Back.”

 

 

E) TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH

 

 

Don’t miss the fact that Paul begins this armor of protection with, “Above all,” implying that this is our greatest form of defense.  The Roman oblong “shield,” four and a half feet long, covered the whole body, and was a protection in-and-of itself.  So “faith” -- the “faith” that fully trusts in God and never doubts -- is the best of all defenses.  It will quench, stop, and put out all the doubts, whisperings and evil suggestions of the wicked.

 

“Fiery darts” were very dangerous unless stopped by the “shield.”  If one should loose hold of his “faith” in the True “Shield,” Jesus the Christ, he becomes vulnerable to all kinds of weapons (evil).  Because arrows in those days were dipped in pitch and then set on fire, the wooden “shield” was covered with leather in order to extinguish the glowing arrows and blunt their tips.  But one should best carry a bronze “shield;” bronze being a representation of “the righteous judgment of God.”  “Faith,” as applying to the Word of God and the grace of Christ, always quenches the “fiery darts” of Satan’s temptations.

 

 

F) TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION

 

 

Even the Philistines knew the value of protecting the head (see 1Sa. 17:5).  Notice that it is the brain that is attacked in order to prevent “salvation.”  When discussing the protection of the head, this equals the brain.  In other words, the judgment faculties.  The “helmet, [which is] the hope of salvation,” First Thessalonians 5:8, must be used for the conquering of every adversary and the surmounting of every difficulty.  Through the blood of the Lamb, is as a “helmet” that protects the head.  It is an impenetrable one that the blow of the battle-axe cannot cleave to.  The hope of continual safety and protection, built on the promises of God, to which the upright follower of Christ feels he has a Divine right, protects the understanding from being darkened, and the judgment from being confused by any temptations of Satan; or subtle arguments of the sophistical ungodly.  He who carries Christ in his heart cannot be cheated out of the hope of Christ’s promised Heaven to the obedient.

 

The Arabic version renders the Greek as, “the helmet of the Saviour,” or of salvation itself; which Christ is the Author of; and as such, a well-grounded “hope” of it.  Christ is the defense of the head against false doctrines and every device of the enemy.  Note that we are to “take” this “helmet,” as if, and surely we are, entitled to it.  Christ offers “salvation” as a free gift; but one must “take” possession of it in order for it to protect us in the day of reckoning.  However, keep in mind that our Savior is “able also to save them to the uttermost,” Hebrews 7:25, those Christian soldiers, who through His power, have or take courage for the conflict.

 

 

G) THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

 

 

The Word of God is here called “the sword of the Spirit.”  It was the Spirit that inspired the written revelation, since “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,” Second Peter 1:21.  In other words, “the sword of the Spirit” equals the Holy Spirit.

 

This is the only one of the armor that is explained by Paul.  And more importantly, it is the only weapon mentioned.  In other words, our only attack should be made with “the Word of God.”  The best Biblical definition of the “sword of the Spirit” is found in Hebrews 4:12:  “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

 

To the Christian armed for defense in battle, the apostle recommends only one weapon of attack; but it is enough:  “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”  It was with the sword, not the spear, as with other nations, that the Romans conquered the world.  It subdues and mortifies evil desires and blasphemous thoughts as they rise within; and answers unbelief and error as they assault from without.  A single text, well understood, and rightly applied, at once destroys a temptation or an objection, and subdues the most formidable adversary.  And as begun with above, “prayer,” we must fasten all the other parts of our Christian armor together.  Not one piece should be neglected or left behind.

 

“If we have on the Heavenly armor, we shall find that the assaults of the enemy will not have power over us.  Angels of God will be round about us to protect us.”  BC6:1119.

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