Preparing for War

The Armor of God: Daily Preparation for Spiritual Warfare

Reflecting on the message delivered by Ps James Murray at Life Church NZ, "Practice Makes Progress," I was reminded of the importance of actively engaging in this practice daily to strengthen our faith. Ephesians 6 Putting on the full armour of God as a way to grow and protect ourselves spiritually.

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

In Ephesians 6, Paul uses the metaphor of the "Armour of God" to teach believers about spiritual preparedness and defence against spiritual challenges. Each piece of this armour represents a specific element of Christian practice and character:

Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14a)

• Significance: In a Roman soldier's armour, the belt secured the rest of the armour and held weapons. For Christians, truth provides foundational support and readiness.

• Practice: Commit to living a life of integrity and honesty, grounded in the truth of the Gospel.

Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14b)

• Significance: The breastplate protected vital organs, especially the heart. Righteousness guards a believer's spiritual heart.

• Practice: Live a life of moral integrity and ethical behaviour, reflecting the righteousness imparted through faith in Christ.

Feet Fitted with the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)

• Significance: Roman soldiers wore sandals with spikes for stability in battle. Similarly, the Gospel of Peace gives believers stability and readiness.

• Practice: Be ready to proclaim the Gospel, living a life that reflects the peace and reconciliation brought by Christ.

Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)

• Significance: The shield provided broad protection against arrows. Faith in God acts as a shield, offering comprehensive protection against spiritual attacks.

• Practice: Trust in God and His promises, using faith to defend against doubt, temptation, and accusation.

Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17a)

• Significance: The helmet protected the soldier’s head. Salvation protects the mind against despair, doubt, and deception.

• Practice: Keep your thoughts focused on God's ultimate rescue and victory through the assurance and hope of salvation.

Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17b)

• Significance: Unlike other pieces of armour, which are defensive, the sword is an offensive weapon. It represents the Bible, the Word of God.

• Practice: Know and apply Scripture, using God's Word for guidance, rebuke, and encouragement.

Prayer (Ephesians 6:18)

• Significance: While not part of the armour, prayer is essential for putting on the armour and keeping it effective.

• Practice: Engage in all kinds of prayers for all occasions and believers, maintaining a constant connection with God.

Paul emphasizes the necessity of being spiritually prepared and equipped to face trials, temptations, and spiritual battles. Each element of the armour has both defensive and offensive characteristics and is deeply rooted in the believer’s relationship with God.

Making it Memorable

To remember the pieces of the armour, you can use the acronym BBSSSH:

• Belt of Truth

• Breastplate of Righteousness

• Shield of Faith

• Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

• Sword of the Spirit

• Helmet of Salvation

Daily Prayer for the Armor of God

Doug Wekenman from Red Rocks Church delivered a powerful message titled

This is How I Fight My Battles

He reminded us that while we have a real enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, the battle has already been won through Christ. We access God's power by putting on the full armour of God daily.

Here is a prayer from the Red Rocks Church website:

Dear God, thank you for your goodness and grace. Thank you for the victories you’ve already won, the doors you’ve already opened, and the ways you’ve already made. Today, I stand on your promises and claim victory over ______

[name your specific challenges].

First, I put on the BELT OF TRUTH. My emotions matter, but truth never changes. So today I choose to live by what is true, not by what I feel. The truth about me is I am chosen, loved, and forgiven. The truth is that you are a good God with good plans for my life. I trust you, and I voluntarily yield in love to the purposes you have in store for me.

Next, I put on the BODY ARMOR OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS. Your love is more powerful than all my mistakes, and the grace that saved me is the grace that sustains me. No matter what happened this past week, your mercies are fresh every morning. I’m a new creation and I’m choosing to live like it. Today I walk confidently in my calling knowing you are my Father and I am your child. I don’t live for your love; I live from your love.

Now I put on the SANDALS OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. Your peace goes beyond my circumstances. My life is full and my day is busy, but my heart will not be hurried. I live with the unforced rhythms of grace, and every room will be better because I walked into it. I will be a calming and confident presence, leaving tracks of peace everywhere I go.

I pick up the SHIELD OF FAITH, believing you can do exceedingly and abundantly more than all I could ask or imagine. You are infinitely powerful and intimately present, and no matter what I’m facing or what I’m praying for, I believe there’s no limit to what you can do. I will not play small with the gifts you’ve given me. Temptations and critique are on the horizon, but my faith won’t hesitate. With this shield, I claim victory out loud and ahead of time knowing there’s nothing you can’t do in my life and through my life.

I now put on the HELMET OF SALVATION. You’ve given me authority over my mind. Today I choose to take every disobedient thought captive in the name of Jesus Christ. I know there are lies heading my way even as I pray, so I protect my mind with this helmet, for those thoughts are nothing but a waste of my energy and time. Your love surrounds me when my thoughts wage war, and I will dwell on nothing but what is good, right, pleasing, and pure. For I’ve been given a sound mind.

Finally, I take up the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the Bible. Your Word is a double-edged sword that will teach me, guide me, comfort me, and prevail against the enemy. As I read it, it reads me back, showing me how you have overcome the world. Your Word reminds me that when I commit my life to your glory, you’ll commit your resources to my story. It is the Word of God, the firm foundation I choose to build my life upon.

Father, I go now about my day and invite you along for every step of the way.

I FIX MY EYES ON WHAT IS UNSEEN AND I LIVE FOR WHAT’S ETERNAL.

Thank you for choosing me as a representative of your love to a world that desperately needs it. Help me to live on purpose and use me to change the world. Let the people in my life see Jesus in me, as your power is made perfect in my weakness.

In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.

Final Thoughts!

Daily, we have access to this armour, and we are told to take it up and put it on.

But how often do we jump out of bed and dive into our day without doing this? Let’s make a daily habit of equipping ourselves with the full armour of God, ensuring that we are prepared for whatever comes our way.

May God bless you as you seek to draw closer to Him and grow in your faith.

The Armor of God - Eph 6:10-17

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

11 Put on the full armour 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 armour 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.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.