Ephesians 6: 11-17
Dr. Andrew C S Koh
The Armor of God
Paul described the armor of God in Ephesians 6. This armor is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul used a Roman soldier’s uniform to illustrate the armor of God because he was chained ta a Roman soldier 24 hours a day under house arrest. The armor of God is a six-piece comprehensive uniform comprising a belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword.
Paul exhorts his audience and us to put on the whole armor of God not only to protect but also to attack the enemy of our souls. We are not fighting against human beings with flesh and blood. We are fighting against evil spirits in the spiritual realm of the unseen world. Our enemies are the hierarchy of evil spirits called principalities and powers, rulers and authorities, and spiritual wickedness in the high places, We must win the war through prayer in the spiritual realm first, before we can see a breakthrough in the physical realm. In this war, we do not use physical weapons but spiritual ones to demolish strongholds, 2 Corinthians 10:4.
for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds
2 Corinthians 10:4
Ephesians 6:11-17
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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
Ephesians 6:11-17
Jesus is the belt of Truth
Jesus sets you free from bondage. He is Grace and Truth.
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free
John 8:32
I am the way, the truth, and the life
John 14:7
Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is the truth
John 17:7
Jesus is the breastplate of righteousness
Jesus is the righteousness of God.
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith”
Romans 1:17
2 Cor 5:21, For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Jesus is the gospel of peace
Jesus is the prince of peace. We must wear the shoes of Jesus to share the gospel of peace with others.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
1 Peter 3:15
preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.
1 Timothy 4:2
Jesus is the shield of faith
Faith protects us from the fiery darts of doubt.
Contend, Yahweh, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.
Psalm 35:1-2
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen
Hebrews 11:1
Jesus is the helmet of salvation
The helmet protects the mind from anxious thoughts. Salvation gives us the hope of eternal life.
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation
1 Thess 5:8
Jesus is the sword of the Spirit
Jesus is the Word of God, a double-edged sword that cuts in both ways. Jesus quoted the Word of God when He was tempted by satan in the wilderness. The sword of the Spirit is prayer, fasting, intercession, and the Word of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth
John 1:14
For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart
Hebrews 4:12
Application
Put on the full six-piece armor of Jesus before you even go to work. Then, you will be able to stand firm against the demonic spirits. If you kneel down before God in prayer, you will stand firm before men at work. Jesus covers you from head to toe with a helmet, breastplate, belt, shoes, shield, and sword. The helmet protects your mind. The breastplate keeps you righteous before God. The truth sets you free from deception. The shoes enable you to preach the gospel of peace The shield protects you from the flaming doubts of satan. The sword enables you to defend yourself and attack for deliverance, and demolishing of strongholds.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus Christ, the armor of God for spiritual protection and spiritual warfare. Teach us how to pray with perseverance, watchfulness, and supplication. Teach us how to cultivate the discipline of intercession. We claim the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14,
if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land
2 Chronicle 7:14Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
