If you’ve been in church any length of time, chances are you’ve heard some type of teaching or mention of the Armor of God. When I was younger, I thought, “Yeah yeah we’re all soldiers for Christ.” But as I have grown in my spiritual walk, I am learning that the Armor of God is literal in the spiritual realm, and far more important than I once thought. Do I really think I’m clunking around with invisible metal sandal-boots? No, not at all. After feeling challenged by the Holy Spirit to research upgrading my armor, I realized Paul is trying to tell us we have real spiritual protection available that can also strengthen our prayer life. I should have been taking these scriptures more seriously, and not like a cute song about being in Lord’s Army, Yes Sir.
What does the Bible say the Armor of God is actually used for? Paul reveals this answer to us in Ephesians, chapter 6 NKJV.
11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
18…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…
Strong’s Concordance gives the word “trickery” as another meaning of “wiles.” This suit of armor is meant to guard against trickery of the devil, and to function as a prayer suit, as Paul promptly mentions right after explaining each part. A majority of the preachers and teachers I’ve heard only will only preach or teach that this suit makes you immoveable against the attacks of the devil. While we must be immovable as Christians, it’s also important to acknowledge this suit is also an offensive suit in its function as a prayer suit. As we elaborate on each of the pieces in the next part, we’ll see that they are offensive and defensive pieces, and also prayer and trickery pieces. Back to Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (trickery) of the devil. 12For 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. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood.” I’m not arguing against my drunk neighbors who thought nothing of almost running me over with their car multiple times, “but against principalities,” that took root inside them and told them it’s no big deal to be drunk, drive home, almost hit me while I’m walking, or use my driveway while I’m standing in it. I shouldn’t fight against their flesh and blood, but “against powers” that rule their mind. This is where the armor of God functions as a very powerful weapon in prayer. These types of situations are thrust upon us, and our armor should be battle ready at all times to come against wickedness.
Notice in these verses there is a progression of evil to stand against:
1. Principalities
2. Powers
3. Rules of the darkness
4. Spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (in the air)
If there is a progression of evil, there is also a progression, or upgrade, to your armor. What level of battle is your suit prepared to handle? Bob, the grumpy old man that doesn’t want the kids running in the street or you talking about Jesus? Is your suit ready to handle a situation that could be life threatening, like the one with my neighbors? (Please do call the police if you are unsafe.) Is your suit ready to disband the mafia in your town? Is your suit ready to take on wickedness in the national government?
Part of understanding the armor of God for me was uprooting popular wrong teaching I just accepted without thinking through the years.
“Put your armor on every morning.” I’ve heard this so many times. It’s probably on a coffee mug out there somewhere. Just like soldiers sleep in their armor, we are never supposed to take this armor off of our spiritual bodies. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:4 that Satan is the god of this world (or age). That alone should make us never want to take any piece of this armor off. Of course, it can be done, but not by sleeping in bed at night. If you think about it, sleeping is BEST time to wear your armor, right?
“Make sure you pray over every piece of your armor every morning.” Thankfully, Paul didn’t tell us to pray over our armor. All those with ADD/ADHD said, “Amen!” Well, they would if they read this far. The Greek word enduo is translated put on referring to the Armor of God. Strong’s Concordance gives the meaning of enduo as sinking into a garment. We really can’t pray our way into sinking into our armor. Our armor is more of a reflection of how we choose to live our lives as Christians as opposed to asking the Lord to do the work for us. Growing up, I learned to pray about everything. While that sounds great, it’s not Biblical. I remember the saying Fully Relying on God, F.R.O.G, went around. I knew some people who were saying that about everything. You can imagine my surprise when I learned from scripture there was quite a bit of responsibility that was supposed to be on my behalf.
“Armor is for Christians who do battle in the spirit.” When Paul said we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, he meant all of us. It doesn’t matter whether we initiate the battle or not, everyone will find themself in battles again and again. Sometimes it does feel like we wrestle against flesh and blood when we get emotionally or physically attacked. But the point is that we all get attacked. Some people are more vocal about their attacks than others. You can choose to fight back in the physical realm, spiritual realm, or both.
“Jesus is the Armor of God. All you need to do is put on Jesus.” I wouldn’t argue or split hairs over this with anyone. The Bible says that Jesus is our Advocate, but we’re not told to wear Jesus. Ephesians 6:10 says in Greek, direct translation, “be strong in the Lord (supreme authority) and in the power (dominion might) of His might (forcefulness).” I cannot say that this specifically describes Jesus. The Bible does say in Ephesians 2:6 NKJV
…and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
If we reason this out, Jesus is in Heaven. Is He coming down to Earth before the trumpet sound to surround us? If this comment is only meant figuratively, then that means we have no literal protection. Jesus obviously wore this armor, and we as Christians are supposed to be Christ-like. Jesus didn’t put on Jesus.
Jesus wore or was the 7 pieces:
Belt of Truth – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
Breastplate of Righteousness – But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption 1 Corinthians 1:30
Shoes Gospel of Peace – Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
Shield of Faith – And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” Hebrews 2:13 (Greek trust is persuade, faith)
Helmet of Salvation – Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
Sword of the Spirit/Word of God – But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
Looking at this written out, we can see where people get confused and say that you’re wearing Jesus. But like we went over above, Jesus is in Heaven NOT on Earth. We’re wearing God’s Armor to look like Jesus.
“Prayer is the last piece of the suit.” This is not true. We already went over this at the top, but I thought I should point it out. Ephesians 6:18
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit
Right after Paul tells you all the pieces, he tells you to pray. Saying prayer is a piece of armor, that Paul never mentioned, means if you stopped praying at any point, let’s say on a busy Monday, you’re not protected. That’s not fair! We don’t see that anywhere in the Bible, where someone didn’t pray one day and BOOM, down they went. Of course we should pray, but skipping a day won’t wreck your life like removing a piece of armor. This is focusing on sin and problems which will generate fear, as opposed to peace and protection.
*CLICK* I have seen people put their armor on like a mime, and even make sound effects when they do. Bless their hearts, it was already on their spiritual body!
Come back next week for part two! We’ll explore each piece, how to upgrade your armor, and walk deeper with the Lord in prayer.
Blessings of favor be upon you.
Christi
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