The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:11

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

We are in a battle. It’s a battle to see if we will trust the character and nature of God, or if we will listen to the voice of the enemy and doubt Him. Our enemy is constantly on the offensive. He roams about as a lion, looking for weakness so he can launch his attack. We’re in a battle, and when you’re in a battle you need armor and weapons. If you read farther into Ephesians chapter 6, Paul lists the weapons that we have been given. These are spiritual weapons to use in spiritual warfare. They are the only weapons that can defeat the enemy, tear down the strongholds he has erected in our life, and take back that territory for the Kingdom of God.

But what you might not know is where that armor came from. In Ephesians, Paul uses the armor of the Roman soldier as his model. He talks about the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit. Many of us are familiar with these pieces of the armor, but in Isaiah 59:17, we get a different glimpse at this armor. Isaiah 59:17 says: “He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.” There we have it again: the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation. Who is wearing this armor? It is God Himself.

You see our armor isn’t just the armor of God because God has given it to us to use in battle. It is the armor of God because God Himself wore it first! We aren’t being given some standard issue armor from the general store. We are being given God’s own armor! The best of the best! Costume made for His children. Wow! What a blessing! God’s own armor to destroy the works of our enemy. No wonder it is powerful and effective in our spiritual battles. So put on the whole armor of God, the entire armor that God Himself wears, and take your stand against the devil’s schemes!

Father God, I am so very thankful that you prepared a way of victory for me in any battle I might face in my life. You knew the devil’s tricks and schemes, and you gave me your Word to serve as a battle plan so that I could recognize them as well. I needed a battle strategy, so you supplied it. When I needed armor and weapons, you gave me your own! How blessed am I to be wearing the same armor that you wear when you go into battle against the enemy! Thank you, God, for your best. Thank you for your care and your plans and your preparation. Thank you, God for your victory! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.