Ephesians Devotional—Week Six, Day Four (1/7/10)
Ephesians 6:14-18
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, {15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. {16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. {17} Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. {18} And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
The first three pieces of the armor of God refer to blessings we have already received in our salvation. Therefore, to put on these pieces refers to our need to remind ourselves of their meaning.
We remind ourselves of truth (that we have received it in Christ, and the truth about the situation we’re in); we remind ourselves of the righteousness we received when we believed in Jesus (see Romans 3:24-26, 2 Corinthians 5:21); we remind ourselves of the state of peace which now exists between God and us through the gospel (Romans 5:1).
The last three pieces of the armor refer to that which we are to take up in the present. We take up the shield of faith (we “believe” what we truly believe), we take the helmet of salvation (primarily our future salvation, which protects our minds—see 1 Thessalonians 5:8), and we take up the sword of the Spirit, which is God’ spoken word into our minds.
We do all of this in prayer, as we’re told in verse 18. Prayer is the means of putting each piece of the armor in its proper place.
All in all, the armor of God actually refers to a Person—namely, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Truth (John 14:6), He is our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6), He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14), He is our shield (Psalm 3:3), He is our salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:9, Revelation 19:1), and He is the word of God to us (Hebrews 1:1-2).
Therefore, putting on the whole armor of God is to avail ourselves of the Person and power of the Lord Jesus Christ, and of what He has done for us. He is our protection against the enemy of our souls. The devil cannot defeat Him, living in us.
- Write down each piece of the armor of God, with a brief definition.
- Why do you think it is important to put on the armor of God in the order in which it is written?
- How does Ephesians 6:14-18 relate to the promise of James 4:7?
Bill's Blog 
While I understand the description of the armor of God, I wonder if I might have a fuller explanation as to why it is so important to put it on in the order it is written. Many years ago I was taught by a pastor to do it in order from head to foot, thus making it easier to remember. Now I am intrigued.
Also, I am so glad for the further enlightenment regarding doing all of this IN PRAYER, for while I have always done so in a prayerful way, I now better see the imperative of actually making it an act of pray-ing.
How blessed to see, read and know that Jesus is all of this to us, and more…..Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Shield, Salvation, Word. I sorely need these reminders at this time in my daily living. Conveying these truths matters…..it really does!
Many, many thanks.
Hi Jane… I’m glad you’re intrigued! Great question.
I can point you to two studies… one is one I did at http://www.billholdridge.com/Recent_Studies.html. Scroll down and click on the study entitled “Believer, Defend Thyself.”
The other is from Ray Stedman, one of my favorite commentators. It’s found at http://raystedman.org/warfare. Click on the 1999 version of his book called “Spiritual Warfare,” and then read the chapter entitled “Armed for Battle” on p. 32.
If you’re further interested, go on reading in Stedman’s book.
I hope that helps. God bless you!