The armor of God is an important truth to understand and apply. It’s not just for children’s coloring pages with a cute soldier in full armor. It’s after all, a command in the Bible, to put on the whole armor of God.
I had an opportunity to spend an entire year studying and teaching on the book of Ephesians. It was one of the most impactful things that I’ve experienced. I want to share some of the things that I learned as it sheds light on what the armor of God in Ephesians 6 really is and how you can put it on.
Ephesians 6:14-17 describes the 6 pieces of the armor of God. To put on the whole armor means to believe all that Jesus has done (Eph. 1-3) and to live it out in daily life (Eph. 4-5). It is living in the power of everything that God has done in every area of life even when there are challenges.
In other words, to understand the armor of God in Ephesians 6 correctly, you have to look at what Ephesians chapters 1-5 say. It has to be understood in its right context.
Putting on the whole armor of God is not mainly about a technique or paying attention to darkness and evil. It’s not about a secret prayer, a mystical spiritual experience, or visualization techniques.
To put on the full armor of God is to apply all of the Gospel to all of your life.
The armor of God is often misunderstood and misapplied. It’s meaning is vague, so people don’t know how to put it on. The Armor of God is receiving and applying everything that God has done for you. This is explained in Ephesians chapter 1-5.
The whole armor of God is the expression of your full trust in God and what He has done for you through Jesus Christ. Your victory in spiritual warfare was secured at the cross of Christ and the blood that was shed there (Rev. 12:11).
A wrong understanding of the armor of God can lead to confusion about what the Chrisitan life is about. If taken out of the context of the Bible, it can become a distraction from the main and plain teachings of Jesus.
One of the greatest revivals in the history of the early church took place in Ephesus. The Gospel went to the entire region of Asia Minor in 2 years and unusual miracles took place to confirm the message of Jesus. It toppled the worship of a Roman goddess and many people burned their magic scrolls to follow Jesus instead.
All this took place because of the message of the Gospel that Paul lays out in Ephesians. The Gospel conquered the Roman Empire one heart, one home at a time. It transformed the culture of the region without direct political involvement, big budgets, or events. It was the raw power of the Gospel, including the right application of it through the armor of God.
In this article, let’s look at what putting on the full armor of God means in more detail so you can apply it correctly to your life. The full armor is meant to bring strength, stability and encouragement so you can receive all that God has for you.
Table of Contents
- What Does It Mean to Put on the Whole Armor of God?
- Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God
- Where in the Bible Does It Talk About the Armor of God?
- What Are the 6 Pieces of the Armor of God?
- What Is the Belt in the Armor of God?
- What Does the Breastplate of Righteousness Mean?
- What Does Feet Shod With the Gospel of Peace Mean?
- What Does the Shield of Faith Mean?
- What Is the Helmet of Salvation in the Bible?
- What Is the Sword of the Spirit in the Armor of God?
- What Does It Mean to Pray in the Spirit on All Occasions?
- Stand Firm
- Recommended Resources:
What Does It Mean to Put on the Whole Armor of God?
The whole armor of God is mentioned in chapter 6, the last chapter, of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.
When you understand Ephesians 1-5, you can understand what Paul’s final point in Ephesians 6 means. Paul starts in chapter 6 with the word finally. Ephesians 6 is Paul’s last point in the letter. It builds on what he’s been talking about in the previous 5 chapters.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph. 6:10-11 (ESV – emphasis added)
- The first 3 chapters of Ephesians explain your position in Christ. It describes how you’ve been seated with Christ in heavenly places.
- Ephesians 4 through 5 describe how you’re to walk, or live, as a follower of Jesus.
- Ephesians 6 is the conclusion that describes how you’re to stand even in the face of opposition.
To put on the armor of God is to first understand all the spiritual blessings that God has already blessed you with (Eph. 1:3). The first chapter describes the way God has blessed you.
The 12 Spiritual Blessings in Eph. 1 That Are Related to the Armor in Eph. 6
In Christ, You Are…
- Blessed with every spiritual blessing (v. 3)
- Chosen to be holy and without blame (v. 4)
- Predestined (v. 5)
- Adopted as sons (v. 5)
- Accepted in the Beloved (v. 6)
- Redeemed through His blood, according to the riches of His grace (v. 7)
- Forgiven of your sins (v. 7)
- Given wisdom and understanding of His will (v. 8-9)
- Given an inheritance (v. 11)
- To bring praise and glory to God (v. 12)
- Sealed with the Holy Spirit (v. 13)
- Guaranteed of inheritance until your redemption is fulfilled (v. 14)
To put on the full armor is to understand every single blessing, not missing any piece. God has given you every blessing in the heavenly places and every blessing is necessary.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Eph. 1:3 (ESV – emphasis added)
Every piece of the armor in Ephesians 6 serves a different purpose to protect you, so you need to put on the full armor of God.
In the same way, every blessings in Ephesians 1 addresses a different point of attack that you might experience, whether it’s an attack against your faith, a sin that makes you feel guilty, or feeling confused about what to do in your life. We’ll look at this in more detail below when we look at each piece of armor and what blessing in Ephesians 1 it corresponds to.
How to Put the Armor of God On? You put on the full armor of God by believing what God has done for you through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1-3) and by living out the elements of the armor in every area of your life (Eph. 4-5).
Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God
The reason for the whole armor of God is because you need it in order to withstand the spiritual pressures that you’re going to face.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Eph. 6:11 (ESV)
The full armor of God is what protects you when you have doubts, fears, and guilt. The way you stand against the accusations of the Enemy is to believe what God’s Word says about you instead.
Spiritual warfare is the term that some people use to describe this spiritual battle that Eph. 6 talks about. The battle is real and can’t be ignored, but so are the armor and weapons that God has already give you so you can stand against anything that comes your way.
Effective spiritual warfare is God-centered, not Devil-centered.
Spiritual warfare in the Bible is focused on God and what Jesus has done for you. Jesus and the Apostles in the New Testament were not focused on the devil.
Ephesians 6 does not talk about engaging with spiritual forces in the heavenly realms directly. Are there spiritual forces in heavenly places? Absolutely. Eph. 6:12 even explains the spiritual hierarchy of the realm of darkness.
The spiritual realm is real, but the way you engage and respond to spiritual attack is by focusing on God and on what Jesus has done for you.
A wrong emphasis on spiritual warfare can lead to distraction, powerlessness, and confusion. If spiritual warfare is misunderstood, or focused on demons or trying to get other people to change, it’s possible to use spiritual warfare as an excuse and not deal with the real underlying issues.
For example, if there’s a problem in your relationship with someone, you might want to just pray and do “spiritual warfare” to make it better or to force the person to change. This is not what the Bible teaches.
If it’s a relational issue, you need to talk to the person in humility and with wisdom, not just pray and “do spiritual warfare.” In other words, you can’t do Ephesians 6 armor of God without doing Ephesians 5, living out the Christian life that Jesus has made available to you. This is how you engage in the spiritual warfare around you according to the Bible.
You’ve been blessed with every spiritual blessing, you are a child of God, you’ve been forgiven of all your sins. Now, you can go and stand in the face of this relationship challenge no matter what the outcome will be and no matter how the other person responds.
God is a Deliverer and Jesus sets the captives free. God delivers you from the bondage of sin and the power of it over your life. Call out to Jesus to set you free and He will deliver you.
Many people pray something like “God take away my anger.” Then they feel bad that they got angry again in a few days. If it just stops at a prayer, then they’re not receiving fully all that Jesus has made available to them.
Jesus has so much more for you. He wants to restore you and transform you into His image.
Jesus died on the cross for the penalty of sin and the power of sin to control your life. The way you gain victory is by believing what He said and turning from your old ways. You put off the old, be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new (Eph. 4).
Spiritual warfare is not asking God to take away your sin. Jesus did that on the cross. It’s applying the Word of God because of what Jesus has done. Receiving His power and standing in the face of struggle – confident in Christ and being transformed daily more into Christ’s image.
I wrote an article about the Biblical way how you can apply Ephesians 4-5 in your life and how to experience the new life that Jesus makes available to you. If it’s something you want to look into more I think it’ll be very helpful: How to Be a Better Person According to the Bible.
Spiritual warfare is not a secret method of prayer to change a person, a city a church or a nation. It’s the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the right response to it in repentance and faith that brings real transformation.
The power in spiritual warfare is the cross of Christ and the blood that was shed there. How you apply it to your daily life is what it means to put on the full armor of God.
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Col. 2:13-15 (ESV – emphasis added)
Where in the Bible Does It Talk About the Armor of God?
The Bible mentions the armor of God in several places.
- Ephesians 6:10-18
- 1 Thes. 5:8
- Romans 13:12
- Isaiah 59:17
Ephesians 6 gives the most detailed explanation and mention of the whole armor of God in the Bible. It describes the 6 pieces of the armor that we’ll look at in more detail in the next section.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 also mentions 2 of the pieces of the armor: the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of the hope of salvation. Romans 13:12 says to put on the armor of light. In that passage, to put on the armor of light is to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 13:14) and to live as He calls you to live.
What we can take away from this is that the importance of the armor of God is not so much in the analogy of the armor, but in what each part does. In other words, the main point is not that the breastplate is righteousness as in Ephesians or it’s faith and love in 1 Thessalonians. The point is that righteousness is important as well as faith and love.
The main point of the armor is not the analogy of the individual pieces but the reality and power of the spiritual weapons God has given you.
Isaiah 59:17 describes the Lord putting on 2 of the pieces of the armor we see in Eph. 6: Righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation on His head.
He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
Isa. 59:17 (ESV)
So why is the armor of God called that in the Bible? It’s not just because it comes from God, but it is God’s. He gives you His armor to wear. It’s actually what He wears.
It’s not an armor that man can make up. It’s God’s armor. You’re not trying to resist temptation in your own strength or will-power. It’s all in God’s strength.
What Are the 6 Pieces of the Armor of God?
In Ephesians 6, the 6 pieces of the armor of God are:
- Belt of truth
- Breastplate of righteousness
- Shoes – readiness of the Gospel of peace
- Shield of faith
- Helmet of salvation
- Sword of the Spirit
Some people say that there is a 7th piece, which is praying at all times in the Spirit. That is an important thing to do in order to stand against spiritual attack but it’s not connected to a piece of armor like the others are in Ephesians 6.
It’s more accurate to say that praying in the spirit is an activity that flows out of putting on the full armor of God. It’s not technically one of the pieces of the armor.
Now, let’s look at each piece of the armor of God in more detail.
What Is the Belt in the Armor of God?
The belt of truth is the first piece of the armor of God that’s mentioned in Ephesians 6.
Some Bible scholars explain that the belt keeps all the pieces of the armor together. Other say that the belt in the Roman armor provides support to the solider like a weight-lifter might wear a belt to reduce stress on his back.
The main point of the belt is not the part of the armor that it’s associated with. That’s the analogy. The point is that we need to live in truth.
To put on the belt of truth means to put your full trust in God’s truth and in what He says. It means that you value God’s truth more than the lies that the Accuser might whisper or shout in your ear. Will you believe what God says about you or will you believe the Devil, the deceiver?
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
Eph. 1:3 (ESV)
You put on the belt of truth when you say: “I’m not trusting in the lies of the enemy. I believe all that the Bibles says about what Jesus did for me.” Eph. 1:3 says that God has given you every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. It says that you’ve been raised with Christ and seated with Him. It says that you’ve been chosen, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, and sealed with the Holy Spirit.
Putting on the belt of truth means choosing to trust what God has done for you more than how you might feel at the moment.
Are you wondering if God still loves you? Instead of looking to yourself or listening to the lies of the Accuser, choose to look at the cross, where Jesus died for you. It’s where God’s love was fully displayed for you. It’s the constant, where Jesus, the Truth (John 14:6) died for you.
Are you feeling the weight of guilt and shame because you fell into the same sin again? Will you choose to believe that God accepts you and likes you because of what Jesus has already done for you? Will you trust in God’s love for you because Jesus has already paid the price of the penalty of your sin? Will you believe God’s truth?
If this is a battleground for you and you want to to be confident in God’s love, here’s an article you might be interested in: Does God Love Me – How You Can Know for Sure (link opens in a new window). In it, I explore 3 biblical ways that you can overcome doubt, shame, and guilt.
If you believe God’s truth, then you’ll be able to stand against the wiles of the enemy. It’ll be like a belt that supports you so that you can stand.
What Does the Breastplate of Righteousness Mean?
The breastplate of righteousness is what protects the core of your being from every spiritual attack. The breastplate covers what’s closest to your heart.
It affects whether you walk in confidence as someone who is sure that God loves them. It affects how you feel about yourself at the heart-level. Are you trying to earn God’s favor in your life?
You put on the breastplate of righteousness by trusting in what God has done for you in Jesus. Righteousness, the fact that you are good enough to be received by God, is a gift that’s given to you, not something that you could ever earn on your own.
For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Rom. 5:17 (ESV – emphasis added)
You put on the breastplate of righteousness when you can say: “I don’t have to trust my own goodness. I trust Jesus to be righteous for me.” God accepts you and enjoys you because of what Jesus did.
To put on the breastplate of righteousness means to belive what Ephesians 1:4-6 says about you. You have been chosen by God to be holy and without blame before Him in love, you’ve been predestined to be adopted by God, you are fully accepted by God through His Beloved, Jesus.
What Does Feet Shod With the Gospel of Peace Mean?
In Ephesians 6, the armor of God includes covers for the feet. A modern equivalent would be shoes or sandals.
It’s described as the preparation or readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. As part of the armor of God that helps you stand against any spiritual attack, it’s an important piece.
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect
1 Pet. 3:15 (ESV – emphasis added)
This means that you can always be prepared to take the message of God’s peace to the people around you. God has gone to the utmost to reconcile us to Himself through Christ (2 Cor. 5:18). You are now His ambassador. You are the salt and light of the world.
The shoes are of peace because God’s peace is made available to people through what Jesus, the Prince of Peace did on the cross in dying for sin. The Gospel, or Good News, is that the sin that separated people from God has been paid for by Jesus. Through faith in Christ and receiving this gracious gift of God, there can be peace and reconciliation with God.
Why is this part of the armor of God? It’s there as an encouragement so that even when times get tough, you can always share the message of God’s love with people. Even through times of discouragement or even persecution, you can stand and do God’s will. You can tell people about the Good News of Jesus, the Gospel of Peace.
You put on the preparation or readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace when you say: “Lord, I’m ready to go whenever, wherever You call.”
What Does the Shield of Faith Mean?
The shield of faith is the part of the full armor of God (Eph. 6) that protects you from the flaming darts of the enemy.
Faith is an important part of your relationship with God. It’s impossible to please God without faith (Heb. 11:6).
Faith is how you start in your walk with God, by believing in Jesus. Faith is also how you progress in spiritual growth. Faith is what will help you keep standing until the end, when you stand before Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:2).
To take up the shield of faith means to put your personal trust in God in every circumstance.
It means putting your faith in God’s power, His will, and His desire to bring it about in the world and in your life.
You take up the shield of faith when you choose to trust in God more than anything else.
God alone is able to forgive you, save you, and finish the work that He began in you.
When the enemy attacks, it’ll be to try to shake your faith and trust in God. He will come to shake your trust in God’s Word, in His Love for You, and in His plans for your life. He comes to shake your confidence in God.
Your feelings and your mind can change but when you choose to take up the shield of faith, you grasp firmly to the unchanging God, Who is the source of all that is good (James 1:17).
What Is the Helmet of Salvation in the Bible?
The helmet of salvation is part of the spiritual armor (Eph. 6) that points to the truth that God is the One who saves and delivers.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 also describes this piece of the whole armor of God as the helmet of hope of salvation.
In Isaiah 59:17, the Lord puts on the helmet of salvation. This means that He is the one who saves and delivers. The world is in a state of brokenness. Darkness will continue to increase until Jesus returns. But, you can have a hope in God’s salvation that will help you stand through any trouble in this life.
This is the same helmet that you’re invited to put on. It’s God’s armor.
God is the One who brings salvation to the world. Jesus’ very name means “the Lord Saves.”
The helmet of salvation brings protection to your mind and brings hope no matter what happens in this life. The Good News of Jesus brings real hope. The Gospel is not only that Jesus died and was buried. He also rose again. And Jesus will return again at the end of this age to bring God’s Kingdom fully on the earth (Revelation 21-22).
Salvation is not only about going to heaven when you die. It’s about God making all things new when Jesus returns (Rev. 21:5).
You put on this helmet of salvation when you put your hope fully in God. Look to the One who started the work of redemption and will one day complete it.
What Is the Sword of the Spirit in the Armor of God?
Ephesians 6 concludes the list of spiritual armor with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12 also describes the word of God as a two-edged sword.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
The word of God brings truth and freedom to the very core of your being. It’s a weapon that can be used to destroy the crafty works of darkness.
Jesus used the word as a sword three times in Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus countered every temptation from the Devil with the Word. Jesus answered each temptation by saying: “It is written” and quoted from the Scriptures.
But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matt. 4:4 (ESV)
As you commit to read and obey God’s Word, you are using the sword of the Spirit. Let God bring freedom and deliverance to your mind and to the core of your being.
You use the sword of the Spirit by engaging with the Word of God and committing to follow all that Jesus commands.
What Does It Mean to Pray in the Spirit on All Occasions?
To pray in the Spirit on all occasions is to engage your heart with God at the deepest level of your heart.
It’s prayer from the depths of your spirit empowered by the Holy Spirit. It’s prayer that is ongoing, on all occasions. The Holy Spirit’s role is to take of the things that belong to Christ and make them known to you (John 16:14). So in order to put on the full armor of God, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is essential.
Praying in the Spirit is not mentioned as one of the 6 pieces of the full armor of God, but it flows out of putting on the armor of God. After you’ve put on the full armor of God, it naturally follows that you’ll be praying in the Spirit. Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and pray in the Spirit.
It’s not prayer just on the surface, of simply asking God for stuff. Rather, praying in the Spirit is an ongoing communion with God. It’s a longing to know His heart and mind. This is Paul’s prayer in Eph. 1:17-23, that God would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation that you might know Him more.
Some connect praying in the spirit with speaking or praying in tongues (1 Cor. 14:6, 14-15). Paul explains that praying in tongues is to pray with your spirit and brings benefit personally. Jude also explains that praying in the Holy Spirit is related to being built up in your faith.
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.
Jude 1:20 (ESV)
Stand Firm
What does stand firm mean in the Bible? Ephesians 6 gives the exhortation to “stand” 3 times, in verses 11, 13 and 14. To stand firm means to resist and overcome the schemes of the devil (Eph. 6:11).
You can stand firm because you’ve already been seated with Him (Eph. 1-2) and are walking according to His word (Eph. 4-6).
Putting on the whole armor of God is not asking God to make the battle stop. It’s standing in the victory of Jesus on the Cross and applying it to your daily life.
The Bible says that there will be tensions, tribulations, and even persecution in the days ahead before Jesus returns (Matt. 24:9-24). Keep standing firm by keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus and His glorious leadership. He has overcome the world!
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (ESV)
Recommended Resources:
Knowing God is one of the keys to experiencing His goodness, power, and wisdom. This book is a real gem that has helped many people press into the knowledge of God. It’s definitely a classic: The Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God: Their Meaning in the Christian Life (link to Amazon – opens in a new window).
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”
“The man who comes to a right belief about God is relieved of 10,000 temporal problems…”
(A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy)
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| If you enjoyed this article, here are others that I would recommend: Summary of Ephesians: Meaning, Outline & Application. In this article, I share my full studies in the book of Ephesians. The believers at Ephesus experienced one of the greatest revivals of that time. What did they believe and how did they live? Ephesians reveals how Paul unpacks the Gospel and how we can apply it to our daily lives. Thy Kingdom Come – What It Means & How to Pray It. It’s from the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples. It explores the powerful prayer which summarizes the entire Bible. If you want to start taking up the sword of the Spirit, I recommend you try out using a Bible Study tool called the Sword Method of Bible Study. In the article, I share an easy and effective way to study the Bible. 25 Most Powerful Bible Verses: How to Apply Them to Your Life. It’ll help you apply some of the principles we looked at in the Armor of God. |
Like!! I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your information. The article has truly peaked my interest.
Thank you! I’m glad to hear it was helpful.
I’m just reading the study on “Putting the whole Armor of God” I’m struggling with depression and found this will be very helpful I just have to apply it! Thank you for doing Gods work
Thank you. I’m so grateful to hear the article was helpful. I pray that God will continue to lead you into His light and love through what Jesus has done!
Thank you so much yes it will be very helpful in my walk with Christ l believe it and l receive it and please pray for son and l God Bless you and your family Aman
I pray that God will bless you and your son and fill you with His strength and joy in Christ.
I like how you put what you said about putting on the whole armour of GOD to help me fight against the devil. I’m in a spiritual warfare for my Uncle Davids life. He told me two weeks ago that he didn’t want to change his ways and go to heaven so I told him I won’t let him go to hell I’ll pray for him no matter how much pain he has to dail with until he gives his heart to Jesus!!!!!
It sounds like you care for your uncle so much. Yes, keep contending for him! I think the armor of God applies so well as you display God’s wisdom and truth to him with all love and humility.
I am very thankful to find this study you put on.
It helps me to understand more and better in my daily walk with God.
I am reading this 3 am just woke up and decide to look up scripture.
Thank you and bless you.
Thank you, I’m so glad it was helpful. Day or night, I pray that you’ll know God’s peace and blessing.
Your piece has been very informative and has added more to my understanding of certain quotes in the book of Ephesians. God bless you for the good work.
Thank you. I’m so grateful to be able to share them with you.
I was trying to understand but “apply the gospel to all areas in your life” sums for me.
I thank God for now understanding this better than when I was in the charismatic movement. Where we used this for demon fighting. How ungrateful I was to Christ’s calling !
Thank you so much
It’s so amazing how God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. And then to be able to apply it to our lives. It truly is a high calling in Christ! Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Thank you for this study. I now have a complete understanding of what it means to put on the whole armor of God. I believe it will help me to grow stronger in my faith in Jesus Christ. May God Richly Bless You.
Thank you, so much. Whenever I read the first chapter of Ephesians, I’m reminded all over again of the richness and completeness of God’s blessings in Christ. May God bless you in your journey as you continue to grow in your faith in Jesus.
Thank you Kim .. great study .. really enjoyed it .. you explained clearly what I was looking for ..
Thank you, I’m so thankful to be able to share it.
Thank you for this study. We are discussing the Armor of God with the youth (7th and 8th grade boys) tonight and this study will help me explain the Armor of God in a way the boys will understand.
I’m so glad to hear it was helpful. I hope you have a great discussion tonight!
This is one of the best that I have heard it explained, I started out using the armor of God to fight against Satan. Then the Spirit of God shared with me I have you covered as you are in me and I live in you are covered with my armor every day. Christ reminded that He is my righteousness. He is my peace ext. and as Jesus was tempted by Satan by the word of God so do I thank you.
Thank you for sharing. What a beautiful and powerful truth that God is teaching us.
It’s the best that I have read . I us to use the armer to battle Satan then the Lord reminded me that He was my righteousness my peace, my truth, my salvation. Every day I am in Christ and Christ is in me .It is know longer I that live but Christ in me the Hope of glory . I acknowledge the armor as I am clothed in Christ every day not as going into battle. But that as the spirit lead me to Jesus who used the written word to defeat Satan. I also learned to stand more and more on His word. The Armor always reminds me of my relationship with Jesus Christ my Lord and how He has blessed me as He covers in His armor every second of my life.
You said it so well. It really is the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ and our union with Him. I think it’s this beautiful, simple, and very powerful truth that the enemy tries to distract us from.
As we are searching and seeking, it is no surprise that He provides exactly what we are looking for and exactly what we need. I prayed yesterday morning on my way to work, as I usually do, that God protect me from the enemy that is so prevalent in the environment in which I spend 8 hours of my day. I said the LORD’S prayer, and was drawn to repeat the end of it …”lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil..” I thought about that and then remembered the armor of GOD. That was when I decided to do a study of Ephesians, and last night, by no accident, I found your teaching. I will study all my notes from your teaching and pray for HIS help and wisdom. When you added the reference to John 16:33 at the end, it made me cry. Thank you JESUS!!!!
Yes, thank you, Jesus! It’s so neat how God guides us. He is the Great Shepherd. I hope God continues to give you lots of insights into His Word. And His peace to surround you in your work. Blessings to you!
I’ve been preaching a series on Ephesians “Stand Firm” and Pastor Kim’s article is very clear on this matter. Thank you for sharing it to us . God bless the work of your hands.
Thank you, Pastor. God bless you and the people you lead and serve as you preach through Ephesians.
Dear brother Kim. After a day of talking to some friends about my trials I was exhausted . I felt deep sadness in focusing on my problems instead of Gods solutions and His loving providence in my life. As I drifted off to sleep the Spirit reminded me of Gods armor… I was up at 3:30 in my Bible and doing a bible study then turned to internet to explore Gods armor more.
That’s when I found your article. I am so blessed brother Kim that God would lead me to your article. I’ve been saved for 35 years this month and it’s the easiest and clearest explanation I have read. I have added it to my Home Screen so I can remind myself of Gods truth and share with others in my life Thank you again and I’ll pray that your articles will help many find the truth of our precious and loving Savior, Jesus Christ
Your sister in His service , Kathy Jones
It’s so wonderful to hear how God is leading you and encouraging you. I’m so grateful that I’m able to share these articles with you. And thank you for sharing them with others and for your prayers. That means so much to me. I appreciate you, Kathy, dear sister in Christ.
Thank you for this post. I’m somewhat a newbie to really diving into the scriptures and not just reading them and calling it a day. I read Ephesians today and started to think about the full armor of God and thanks to google, found your post. You explain it so well and I just wanted to say thank you. I’m glad to have read this and have an even deeper understanding of what I was trying to figure out. God bless you 🙂
I’m so glad to hear it was helpful. Thank you for leaving a comment. I think it’s great that you’re diving in deeper into the Scriptures. God bless you in your journey!
Hi David,
I bless God for the inspiring enlightenment of the full armor of God. The section that got me so filled with gratitude first and foremost to God and then you is ” To take up the shield of faith means to put your personal trust in God in every circumstance.” My faith was boosted to keep trusting God in whatever he has called me to do. So, my prayer for that inspiring statement comes from Luke 17:5 as the disciples of Christ asked: “Lord, increase my faith in you.” May God increase your understanding and reveal to you the mystery in Christ, that in your humility, you will always share with the brethren who come in contact with you or this blog.
Pastor Ben, thank you for your prayer and blessing. May God give us grace to fully trust in Him because He is faithful. God bless you as you press on to fulfill all His assignments in your life.
I’ve always had difficulty understanding the Armor until God led me to your article this morning. This is eye-opening and such a blessing…thank you! Thanks as well for suggesting other articles and resources. I’m looking forward to listening to an online service from Parkway this weekend. May God richly bless you and see you and your family safe.
Thank you, I’m so glad it was helpful! I hope you’ll also be encouraged through the worship service online. May God richly bless you and your family too!
I now understand the whole armor of God much better. Thank you so much for this teaching, i appeciate how you explained all 6 pieces in great detail.
Thank you, I’m so glad to hear it was helpful. God has given us so much in Christ and these pieces of His armor are so meaningful to us.
This is the best explanation I have heard about armor of God
Thank you, I’m so grateful to be able to share. May God bless you in your pursuit of Him
This has been very enlightening. As I put the armor of God on daily I had a feeling of incompletion. Although I knew I was missing something. There are many explanations of the armor of God, but you give broader knowledge. Thank you.
Thank you. I’m grateful to hear it was helpful. God truly has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. God bless you as you “put on Christ” daily.
I have been truly blessed reading this David.
I can see why you took the time to go through the book of ephesians! I’ts a lively book.
In my brief encounter with your article on “The whole armour of God”, I am deeply encouraged that it is Gods Armour we are putting on and not our own.
I must get into this and glean more from it.. Thank you David.
Fergal
Thank you so much for your encouraging note. I tend to try to make my own life work, but I’m finding out more and more that God has already provided all wisdom and strength for me in Jesus Christ. It was in Christ after all. We truly find our lives when we lose ours in Him. Blessings to you as you press into God’s Word.
I’ve had a hard time understanding the whole armour of God. I’ve read it myself and did a study on it but I just didn’t know if I should pray daily to put on the armour of God or what exactly to do.
I prayed about this and searched the internet, I read some other article before I found yours and I must say thank you for taking the time to share what you have learned and also apply to your life.
I’m also thankful for the other materials you’ve shared and I’ll dive into them as well.
God bless you pastor and enrich your life more and more.
I’m so grateful to hear this was helpful. And I’m glad you’re continuing to pursue God and to understand His ways. He is a brilliant leader. Thank you and God bless you.
It was truly God’s leading that led me to this article about the armor. I’ve been asking God to give me greater insight about Ephesians 6. I’ve been studying about the armor for some time as we use it in our prayer ministry. But one simple word ‘of’ changed it for me. Armor of God! I start my mornings by acknowledging that I have on my armor, but yesterday I changed that to ‘I have in your armor’. The same armor of Jesus! I could hardly fathom the power behind that. Thank you Jesus for this lesson! Blessings on your ministry.
I’m so grateful to be able to encourage you as you stand in God’s strength. God bless you as you put on His armor!
Thank you. I have been a Christian for years but never really understood how to put on the whole armour of God. I am going to ready & study Ephesians so as to be able to stand. I also appreciate your letting us know in this article that we focus on God not the devil. I have been having terrible dreams & I will stand on the finished work of Jesus to destroy the devil & his cohorts.
Do you have other Christian articles especially on teaching us to know
-who we are in Christ
-how to destroy evil dreams
-how to grow in Christ
God bless you
I pray that God will strengthen you and give you His peace so that you can rest in Him.
Here are a few that I would recommend:
1) How to Be a Better Person According to the Bible – It touches on the topic of how to grow in Christ.
2) Does God Love Me – How You Can Know for Sure – This one gets into who we are in Christ and His finished work on the cross.
3) You can also take a look at some of the other articles in the Christian Living category to see if any of them look interesting.
Does the bible teach me to put the armor on daily? If I trust and believe that God protects me, as in Psalms 91, why do I have to put this on daily, as people teach?
If we understand the armor of God as applying the Gospel to every are of our lives, then yes, we want to put it on daily. But I don’t think most people need to think about the individual pieces of the armor and “put it on” daily. It’s an outflow of our daily abiding in Jesus Christ. It’s out of relationship.
I find that if people make something like a superstition, it isn’t helpful. It often makes people focus on what is lacking or performing a ritual. If we understand the spiritual reality behind something, it becomes a way of walking out our faith daily. And that is powerful. We can pray: “God, thank you for your armor. I stand in Your strength today. Holy Spirit, take of the things that belong to Christ, and empower my heart to live it out today…”
This is WONDERFUL ! EXACTLY what I needed today ! I’ve been struggling so hard. Thank you ! Is there a way I can print this without all the pictures and ads ? This is a keeper to keep in my Bible. Please ! Thank you so much !
I’m so grateful to hear it was what you needed today. I pray that God will strengthen you with power through His Spirit in whatever struggles you’re facing. I’ll reply to your email address.
Mr Kim
First thankyou for His words so clearly explained. It’s been almost two years now that I’ve returned to the Lord. It’s a long story but I won’t go into it. Since returning I’ve spent meany hours a day every day praying for a clear understanding of His word and in small increments He gives me leads me to scripture or to people, servants of the Lord to give me clearer understanding so for that I thankyou and prays God. Keep up His good work and God bless you and your family.
Thank you for the encouragement. I’m so grateful to hear the article was helpful. I pray that God will bless you in your pursuit of Him as you continue to delight in His Word.
we were doing group studies at our church and in homes in the area
when we came to Ephesians 6 thee armor of God
your study on the armor of God inspired me to write this
which the whole group prayed together
Pray the Armor of God over All of Us
Thank you, Father, for providing us with the same armor You wear which enables us to stand victoriously against the schemes of the accuser through the mighty power of the Lord
Father,
We gather the belt of Truth about us, may our words and deeds always be one, with no falsehood found in us as we share Your Word of Truth with others
We cover our hearts with the Breastplate of Your gift of Righteousness that our integrity and virtue may reflect our Faith & Your love for us to those around us
May we, also, bring to them the good news that they can live in peace with You through the blood of Your Son’s cross, the forgiveness of sin, and that they can receive the power of the Holy Spirit to live a new life in Christ Jesus
We hold up the Shield of Faith in You, Lord, for in trusting every word You have said to us and about us, we can stifle all the vicious attacks of the accuser
And putting on the Helmet of Salvation, we will rejoice that we are delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of Your Dear Son and sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption and with the renewing of our minds by Your Word, we can walk in the life that You have planned for us
We take up the Sword of the Spirit which is Your Word that we hide in our hearts, because it is alive and powerful, able to create in us a clean heart and to renew a right spirit in us so that we may be able to give an answer to any one who asks a reason of the Hope that is in us
And that Hope gives us a desire to seek a deeper relationship with You and to come boldly before Your thrown in the Spirit to make our request known, and to commune with You, and to joy in the love and grace You lavish upon us, and to worship and praise You, knowing that while we stand fully covered in Your armor the ”Battle is the Lord’s,” yet, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us, so that we can continually say “The Lord be Magnified!”
We stand in the power of Your might, Lord, ready to serve You in whatever You have for us to do, for we are not just hearers of Your word, but doers also
If God be for us, who can be against us?
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!
Thank You, Father, for filling us with all Your fulness. In our Lord Jesus Christ’s Name, Amen
Thank you for sharing this beautiful and powerful prayer. What a blessing it must have been for your group to be able to pray it together. I’m reminded and grateful again of God’s grace and favor toward us through Jesus, our Lord.
AM bless with his Word now i no what it take to put on the armour of God. It something that i will have be bless fit.i pray that God will help me, us so as to put on the armour of God so as to stand against the wiles of the devil.Amen.
Thank you, I’m so grateful to hear it was helpful. May God bless you that you will stand in the victory that He has secured for you through Christ. I pray that God will strengthen you and give you His peace.
Your insight on the entire book of Ephesians has made it more easier for me to assimilate, I am grateful. God bless you.
Thank you. God bless you as you pursue His heart through Ephesians.
Thank you 💕🥰😍 for the detailed study and analysis of this vital topic.
I will be looking out for more from your blogs.
My the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and expand your ministry of teaching the Word of God.
Thank you. I’m so grateful to be able to share with you. May the Lord bless you as well and all that He has called you to do!
Thank much, this gives me more enlightenment & deeper in love with God, & our Lord Jesus, as I am in a personal journey with God. I was so touched, I was crying while reading along. I have tasted more and more the Goodness of the Lord. God bless
The Lord is so gracious and kind to walk with us in our journey with Him. God bless you as you pursue Him.
I am bless now i no what i will use in fighting the devil. Thanks
I’m so grateful to be able to share with you. May God strengthen you and release His grace and peace and greater measure. Blessings
I just want to say thank you, David. I’ve read this article twice. You have the gift of communication–thank you for sharing what you’ve learned with us.
Thank you so much for your encouragement. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share.
My good friend, Sandy shared your link with me and I am blown away by the revelation the Holy Spirit has given you to be able to explain and share with us in a way we can truly understand and grasp what it means to put on the armor of God. Thank you for blessing us in this way. I will be rereading, studying and praying that I get a deeper and deeper understanding of this in my inner spirit! God bless you, David! ✨
I’m so grateful to be able to share. It really is a topic worth going deep in and learning to live out as Holy Spirit guides us. I’m thankful to Sandy for sharing it with you. I know that God has so much depth of revelation and joy for you as you keep pressing into His heart for you. God bless you, Angelica!
Thank you for your insights on the armor of God. My daughter and I are doing VBS this week and preaching on Sunday service. Your study of this topic has helped me understand and simplified it more. I would love to visit your church someday. I will be preaching at a Korean church in August on the topic of “using your gifts in ministry.” Would you happen to have anything written about this topic? rickalonzo.org
I’m grateful to hear the article was helpful. I pray that God will release His blessing over you and your daughter as you minister. We’d love to have you visit. Please stop by when you’re in the area. I’ll reply directly to your email address about “using your gifts in ministry.”
I’ve always struggled in memorizing the order of the armor and what they mean, individually.
I stumbled on your article and took my time reading it. I’ve learnt a lot. Now, onto applying it.
Thank you for sharing.
I’m so grateful to be able to share with you and to hear it was helpful. God bless you as you apply all that God has for you in Christ.
How can I have a copy of this on my phone
There is a faith level and there is works. People are experience different aspect of spirituality and Spiritual warfare. we need to take into account every bodies Experience and how the Holy Spirit led to over come. For example the word dominion is not an empty wish, you have to become that word, spiritually, physically and psychologically. The sword of the represent ware fare words which provision are all in scriptures. The prophetic ministry is another level of dominion and maturity, for example turning water into wine. Moses red over the red sea.. The rate at which Christians are dying prematurely is a sign that most are limitIng their believes to what they understand and not the full blown spiritual provisions hence the forces of darkness are taking advantage.Let keep pressing toward this scripture (our eyes of understanding be flooded with light to know our full blown inheritance in the saint. )
Thank you for taking the time to comment and share your insights. The deep things of God are summed up in Christ Jesus. As we grow in God’s grace to move in His authority and power, my prayer is that Christ is enthrone in our hearts and minds and stays as the sum total and goal of our pursuit. May He increase and be our magnificent obsession. May our lives be hidden with God in Christ (Col. 3:3).
Thank you. Very helpful and instructive and answered many questions.
Thank you. I’m so grateful to hear it was helpful.
Wonderful piece on The Amour of God. You have answered many of my questions about what the pieces of armour mean. Is there any way to print the article without the pictures or ads?
Thank you for your insight and may God continue to bless you.
Thank you, I’m glad to hear it was helpful. I’ll reply directly to your email. God bless you.
Pastor Kim,
Thank you for the explanations on each of the 6 items of a Roman Soldiers combat gear. I found it very enlightening for revealing the meanings of each, which Paul does not go into in depth.
I would, with your permission to add something. The Seventh Spiritual Weapon, which I understand from one of my pastor friends usually is over looked, maybe because it isn’t technically apart of the Roman battle gear, but is still quite impossible to do without from my belief. That is Eph. 6:18 (tlv) – “Pray in the Ruach on every occasion…keep alert with perseverance and supplication for all the Kedoshim.” Without knowing and trusting that God is 100% Faithful to rescue us when we “Call-Out” to Him – Adonai Elohim. For He,God, has provided us with “Ways of Escape”.
Blessing and may God give you his Shalom, Shalom. His Perfect Peace.
Patrick, thank you for sharing your insights. Whether people see it as a 7th piece of the armor or not, praying in the Spirit (the Greek word: Pneumati or the Hebrew word that the TLV translation uses: Ruach) is very important. Everything God gives is good for us and necessary.
Thank you so much for this. As I was studying Ephesians, and still a little confused, and God gave me this page to help make it make sense to me. Sometimes the Bible can be a little confusing with its words, but the analogies in the breakdown of the whole armor really helped in my studies
Thank you, I’m so glad to hear it was helpful. God bless you as you press in to know Him more.
Thank you for this wonderful contribution to the topic. Your ability to explain complex ideas simply is admirable.