The Full Armor

“The enemy is not after your money or your stuff. He wants your mind. Your attitude. Your heart. Your faith. Your peace. Kick him in the teeth and take back what’s yours, and STAND! Understand that you’re not being attacked over the tangible things in your life. The enemy is fighting you over the things you cannot see.”

- Stephanie Kendall

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

14 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.”

- The Apostle Paul, Ephesians 6:10-17

This passage can sometimes seem cartoonish, as if we are to cover ourselves with a bunch of pieces of metal, appearing medieval. But, the Apostle Paul is not making a suggestion here. It is a command, for the full armor of God is needed every day of our lives, as the bullets keep coming whether we wear it or not.  

We may find the idea of a spiritual battle going on around us to be uncomfortable; but whether we like it or not, that battle rages on, and the armor of God is the only, and the best, protection we have to fight that battle.

As Stormie Omartian wrote, “We don’t war against people, but against a spiritual hierarchy of invisible powers.”

We NEED God’s armor in order to overcome the evil one. We need:

...the Belt of Truth, to keep us from giving into the world’s beliefs and values.

...the Breastplate of Righteousness, to keep us honest, good and fair, and to help us stand up for those who are weaker.

...our feet Prepared with the Gospel of Peace, to find joy and contentment in all circumstances.

...the Shield of Faith, to protect us against the temptation to doubt God’s power in our lives.

...the Helmet of Salvation, to remind us that Jesus gave His life for us.

...the Sword of the Spirit, (the Word of God) as our only offensive weapon, to help people see the truth, and to share God’s hope, grace and forgiveness.

May we put on the full armor of God each and every day, by spending time in God’s Word and in prayer, that we will be prepared and able to overcome every attack that comes our way.

As an unknown author put it best, “When you put on the full armor of God, you’re telling the devil that he has to go through Jesus to get to you.”

Pastor Ken

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