Armor of God
What is the Armor of God? Why is it important?
Ephesians 6: 10-20
- Girded waist of Truth
- Breastplate of Righteousness
- Shods (shoes) of peace
- Shield of Faith
- Helmet of Salvation
- Sword of the Spirit
The armor of God protects you from all the powers that are against you. In the world there are things you are faced with every day. Things that are wonderful but things that are absolutely terrible as well. You as a child of God are not of the world, so the things of the world cause you friction in your own life. You experience anger, frustration, temptations, lust, jealousy, and all those things that cause a grievance to your spirit.
In the world it seems like we are constantly fighting a battle.
Your faith versus your flesh. What you want versus what you need. It’s not just desires in our flesh that we are wrestling, it’s spiritual powers too.
“12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12, NKJV). Satan is called the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2), and he is not looking out for your own good. If you have faith in God, and believe that Jesus is the Son of God that has died for you and rose again, you better believe that you are not liked by the other side and you’ll be attacked. There is no soft way to say that, because it’s simply the truth.
Do you ever feel like distractions are at an all time high when you try to pray?
Or maybe you can’t stop thinking about something, anything other than God, when you’re trying to listen to your pastor or bible group? Those “powers” Paul talks about will use ANYTHING to distract you. Your family, your job, your body, your passion, your talents…Your vulnerabilities are targeted, and it’s like you are trying to read an article but can’t get through it because of all the pop ups.
Those pop ups are annoying at first but then something appeals to you. You’re intrigued so you click, then you are down a rabbit hole of more clicks, until it’s then time to go to work or take the kids to a game and your time is spent. You’ll never get that time back. That’s why it’s good to prepare yourself for those moments. You need to be ready, with some armor to help you, especially in those vulnerable times that we all experience. Jesus is your soldier who already fought for you. You can use His armor to protect yourself.
Every day before you even get out of bed there may be a “fiery dart” waiting to strike you. Remember, you believe in Jesus and He has already defeated those darts. Sometimes all it takes is you asking Him for help right in that moment. Asking Him to fight for you and for Satan to get behind you.
When the moments happen that are particularly difficult and all you can do is fall helplessly to the floor, the armor of God is what helps you to stand and face it. You are not alone, He is always with you. You are a soldier for Him, and He will equip you with everything you need. Submit to Him, talk to Him, and ask Him what He wants to do in your life. Ask Him for direction on where to go, who to trust, and what choice is best. You will get the answers you seek. You have to let go of the worry and start to trust that He will take care of you.
It’s the hardest step, letting go.
It may take years but once you do it’s like your spirit is free from all the chains it has been entangled. You seek Him and not yourself, and you learn more about how He is working in your life. You are then open to understanding you didn’t have before, and see the armor more plainly than ever. Look into His word and seek understanding, He will guide you through it.
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.“(Eph 6:14-18, NKJV)
When is it hardest for you to talk to God?
We are all very busy in our lives and it’s hard to find the time to talk to God. But when is it the absolute hardest for you? When you’re angry? When you’re busy? Comment below
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