Armour of God

Ephesians 6:11-18,

 ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Luke 10:19 NIV (UK)

¹⁹ I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

Jeremiah 50:25 (HCSB)

²⁵ The LORD opened His armory and brought out His weapons of wrath,
    because it is a task of the Lord GOD of Hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.

Armour is military equipment used in launching a military campaign against the enemy in an act of war. They are arms (offensive or defensive) at the disposal of the contending forces. Armour is a vessel of war or arsenal of armed men in combat. In every battle or war, armour is very important for the successful prosecution of the war and the type of armour/instrument of war employed determines who wins and how long the war will last.

PUT ON THE ARMOUR OF GOD

The bible says, “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil”. To ‘put on’ the armour of God means dressing up in war garments of the Lord and be battle ready. It means, fastening up and being equipped with the weapons of warfare of the Almighty God. Arm yourself with divine implements of spiritual warfare and launch an attack against the enemy decisively. If you want to win the key is to put on GODS ARMOUR, not yours.

COMPONENTS OF GOD’S ARMOUR

It is interesting to note the order in which the bible mentions the armour. Let’s look at the first piece of armour. 

1.   BELT OF TRUTH.

Ephesians 6:14a

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth...”

As a good soldier of Christ you must put on the belt of truth. You must present the truth that the bible is the word of God in its entirety, that Jesus Christ is the son of God and that He is God with us to the enemy as you engage him in warfare. You must go along with the truth that God is the creator of the heavens and earth and all that is in them. The truth that God created all things including satan and his co-rebels must be at the back of your mind. You must present to devil the truth that he must worship the Lord his God and serve Him only (Matthew 4:10).

2.   ARMOUR OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Ephesians 6:14b

“...having put on the breastplate of righteousness...”

Next, you must put on, the breast plate of righteousness; integrity and moral rectitude having made sure you are reconciled with the Lord through His son Jesus Christ. You must be right before God. You must ask God for forgiveness of sin and use the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse yourself of all filthiness and be on the same page with the commander of the Lord’s army.

3.   GOSPEL OF PEACE AS YOUR SHOES.

Ephesians 6:15

“And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”

The gospel of peace is the gospel of salvation. You must wear the gospel of salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ as your shoes as you match into the battle field. You must be prepared and arm yourself with the word of God. Study the word of God to show yourself approved of a good soldier. Keep yourself safe and well with the Word.

               4. SHIELD OF FAITH

Ephesians 6:16

“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

Shield of Faith is shield of salvation, shield of deliverance and shield of attack available to every soldier of Christ. You must put on the shield of faith as your protective and offensive armour before you go into battle. It is the shield of faith that you use to repulse the missiles and attack of the enemy. It is the shield of faith that will give you the courage and boldness needed to mount attack against the enemy. It is the shield of faith that makes you realise that God is with you till the end, makes you to feel the presence of God as the battle rages on. It makes you know that it is Jesus Christ leading and commanding the host of armies of Heavens on your behalf (Joshua 1:9, Joshua 5:13-14).

                 5. HELMET OF SALVATION

Ephesians 6:17a

“And take the helmet of salvation...”

You must put on the precious helmet of salvation knowing the enormous price paid to obtain it on the cross of Calvary for you. The Blood of Jesus is your helmet of salvation. You must soak your body, soul and spirit with the blood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and raise it as a standard against the enemy. From your head to toe must be covered with the blood of Jesus.

              6.   SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

Ephesians 6:17b

“And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

The sword of the spirit is the word of the God. You must draw out the sword of the Lord out of its sheathe and raise it against the enemy.

2 Corinthians 6:7 AMP

By [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [to attack] and for the left hand [to defend];

 Speak the word against the enemy, resist him with the word and he will flee. The enemy and his contingents will scatter when you consistently employ the armour of the sword of the spirit. Holy Spirit moves and works with the word of God. He is the author of the Scripture. He works with exactness and precision where the word of the scripture is directed to.

       7.   PRAYER

“...Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

Finally, prayer is your operative armour. You must raise a battle cry to God. Move into battle interceding, supplicating and crying to God. Pray in tongues. Pray all manner of prayers in season and out of season. Watch and pray but be on the alert as you watch. Don’t slumber nor sleep. Know when to use the right instrument of attack. Know when to retreat but not surrendering. Command when there is need to command. Bind and destroy when occasion calls for it.