Putting on the armor of God is a useful metaphor to remind Christians of the different resources available to us in our walk with the Lord. It’s also a reminder to not be lazy in our struggle with “the wiles of the devil“. Here are the SIX components with their corresponding spiritual equivalents from Ephesians 6.12 the New International Version:
- Belt of TRUTH
- Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS
- Feet fitted with READINESS
- Shield of FAITH
- Helmet of SALVATION
- The SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the WORD OF GOD
First century Christians liked lists just as we do today, and the mental picture of putting on the armor worn by Roman soldiers in their time would have been easy for believers to relate to. All six are important of course, but my personal favorite is the Sword of the Spirit. That may be because of the role it played in my own decision to become a born-again Christian.
The sharp two-edged Sword
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4.12
On a warm summer evening in 1972 I was alone with a small Gideon’s New Testament. I’d never read anything from the Bible before then. I began reading at the beginning, and by the time I reached the end of Matthew chapter 16, I knew that I was reading something unlike anything I’d ever encountered before. That was partly because of where I was in my life at the time no doubt. God had been preparing me for some time before then. Still, the words in that Hebrews verse above are true. God’s word IS living and powerful. Seek him with an open heart and mind while reading directly from his word. Memorize passages that speak to you. Then don’t be afraid to quote it to others as he leads you. “PUT ON” the armor of God, including the “Sword of the Spirit”.