The Full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are at war. If you are a Christian, you are a Christian soldier. It’s not a matter of if you are in a battle but if you are fighting. Thankfully, God has not left us unarmed. He has given us everything we need to stand strong in faith.

The Devil’s Sinister Scheme

The devil (Satan) has plans to ruin and destroy you. For this reason, the apostle Peter urged his fellow Christians to “be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus said of the devil: “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). Peter says, “Resist him, standing firm in your faith…” (1 Peter 5:9). The devil is trying to “outwit us” (2 Cor 2:11) so we must not be unaware of his schemes. How does the devil attack Christians? The answer is easy: Anyway he can! The devil is a dirty player who lies and cheats and will throw anything at us hoping something will stick. He doesn’t care what you believe as long as it isn’t what God wants you to believe. He wants you to deny that God exists and/or hate Him. He wants you to be a “good, loving, tolerant” person who despises and mocks biblical values. He also wants you to refuse to forgive others who hurt you and to infect you with bitterness and resentment. He wants you to fight against other people and not him (Eph 6:12) as he is more than willing to remain in the shadows.

The Dupe’s Sticky Situation

Before we go any further we need to settle an important question: Have you been born again? If not, you are following the devil’s plan (whether you know it or not) and are an enemy of God. The devil blinds the eyes of unbelievers (2 Cor 4:4) and if they do not turn to Jesus they will be damned for all eternity. That’s the bad news. The good news is that God is “rich in mercy” (Eph 2:4) and offers salvation. How do you become a Christian? Admit you are a sinner who has rebelled against Him and deserve death. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died to bring you forgiveness for sin. Confess your faith in Him as Savior and Lord. Jesus lived a sinless life, died a sacrificial death, was resurrected from the dead as proof His death was satisfactory, and gloriously ascended into heaven where He remains at God the Father’ side. He proclaims peace to us and all who call upon Jesus to be saved will be saved (Rom 10:13). Pray and ask Jesus to save you so you will be reconciled to God and live your life for the glory of God.

The Disciple’s Successful Shelter

How does a Christian resist the devil? Thankfully God has not left us unarmed. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we become blameless (Jude 1:24) and receive the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we can be aware of his sinister designs (2 Cor 10:11). Paul wrote of the “devil’s schemes” (Eph 6:11) and our need to stand against them. Ignorance is not bliss; what you don’t know can hurt you. For this reason, we must put on the full armor of God. Paul exhorts Christians “to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Eph 6:10). Using the imagery of a Roman soldier, Paul references their panoplia. Panoplia referred to all of the defensive armor and offensive weapons a soldier would need to fight and win. Paul uses panoplia to illustrate what God provides for His disciples to successfully wage spiritual warfare. Why is this armor needed? The fact that Paul urges us to “put on/take up” (Eph 6:11;13) indicates that we are not automatically protected by the gospel from the devil’s schemes. While we have assurance that our souls are protected and we cannot lose our salvation, being a Christian does not make you immune from “being ineffective and unproductive” (2 Peter 1:8). We are at war and we must be strengthened by the Lord. We must put on and take up the full armor of God. We must resist the devil’s schemes, stand firm in the evil day, must not flee from the battle because retreat is not an option. What is our armor? We have the best armor available to stand in the evil day.

• Stand with Truth like a belt (14). This strap of leather protects the lower abdomen and holds the armor in place (including the sword). Christians must remember that we fight with the truth, not power, cunning, craftiness, or deception. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) and we are upheld by the Truth.
• Stand with Righteousness like a breastplate (14). This piece of armor protected the vital organs, including the heart. Christians must remember that our character matters. We are ambassadors on Christ’s behalf (2 Cor 5:20) and we testify of a transformed life (Rom 12:2). We have the righteousness of Christ. We are free from guilt and shame. We have a right standing before God. Jesus is our righteousness. 
• Stand with Peace like sandals (15). The sandal protects the feet from injury and provides a good grip in order to make a firm stand. Christians must remember that we can only take our stand against the enemy because we have peace with God (Rom 5:1) because of Jesus. We are peacemakers (not peace-fakers or peace-takers).
• Take up Faith like a shield (16). The shield extinguishes the flaming arrows of the evil one. Christians must remember that it is not a matter of if we will be under attack, but when we are under attack. With our shield we do not avoid warfare, but repel it.
• Stand with Salvation like a helmet (17). The helmet protects the head from injury. Christians must remember that our minds are a contested battleground. Paul also wrote “putting on…as a helmet the hope of salvation” (1 Thess 5:8). The Gospel helps us fight doubt and discouragement and live with hope that Jesus brings us.
• Stand with the Word of God like a sword (17). This is the only offensive weapon for the Christian. Christians must remember that we fight our battles with the Scriptures.  “The word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4:12). Use the Word!

How are you preparing yourself to stand in the evil day? Are you putting on the full armor of God? Paul concludes in verse 18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayer and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” David Dockery wrote, “Each piece of armor must carefully be put on with prayer, drawing upon divine resources. This prayer is Spirit-energized, Spirit-enabled, and Spirit-directed. Praying in the Spirit is an admission of a believer’s ignorance and dependence on God.” Will you stand and fight? Put on the armor of God and resist!