Originally posted 4/23
Uniforms and equipment have always intrigued me. I like to look at uniforms and gear for many types of professions. I like to know how the various occupations use different tools in order to be effective. Armor and war equipment is no different. Each item has its own specific purpose.
According to John Macarthur, “The apostle Paul wrote Ephesians to the churches around Ephesus (Acts 19) to display the scope of God’s eternal plan for all humanity—for Jews and Gentiles alike.” Paul would have had ample time to acquaint himself with the uniforms of the soldiers. The analogy of God’s armor is fashioned after the Roman soldier’s uniform. Paul was well acquainted with the battles that believers were facing. He knew that believers needed to be well-armed.
John Macarthur states in his Study Bible, “The true believer … can be sure to be in a spiritual war, … Paul closes this letter with both a warning about that war and instructions on how to win it. The Lord provides his saints with sufficient armor to combat and thwart the adversary. In 6:10–13, the apostle briefly sets forth the basic truths regarding the believer’s necessary spiritual preparation as well as truths regarding his enemy,”
We talk about the armor of God, but have you ever really thought about what each individual item is and what it symbolizes? Here are basic definitions from www.dictionary.com for the items we are to use for spiritual battle:
armor–any covering worn as a defense against weapons.
Shield–a broad piece of armor, varying widely in form and size, carried apart from the body, usually on the left arm, as a defense against swords, lances, arrows, etc.
Sword–a weapon having various forms but consisting typically of a long, straight, or slightly curved blade, sharp-edged on one or both sides, with one end pointed and the other fixed in a hilt or handle. This weapon as the symbol of military power, punitive justice, authority, etc.
Shoe—an external covering for the human foot, usually of leather and consisting of a more or less stiff or heavy sole and a lighter upper part ending a short distance above, at, or below the ankle.
Helmet–any of various forms of protective head covering worn by soldiers, firefighters, divers, cyclists, etc. medieval armor for the head.
Breastplate—a piece of plate armor partially or completely covering the front of the torso.
Ephesians 6:10-15 tells us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
How do you fight your battles? Do you fight like a girl or a soldier of the Lord? Scripture refers to us as “soldiers” because we are in a battle. In many cases, it feels like a battle for our very lives. Philippians 2:25 refers to us as fellow soldiers, “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4 tells us to, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”
John Macarthur reminds us in his Study Bible that, “Ultimately, Satan’s power over Christians is already broken and the great war is won through Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, which forever conquered the power of sin and death. However, in life on earth, battles of temptation go on regularly. The Lord’s power, the strength of his Spirit, and the force of biblical truth are required for victory.“
God tells the purpose of His armor and He gives us everything we need to fight. According to David Guzik in his Study Guide for Ephesians 6, “God has given His people a call, a mission, a course to fulfill. Satan will do his best to stop it. When he attacks and intimidates, we are to stand. It is plain that this is Paul’s emphasis in Ephesians 6:11 and 6:13. We do the Lord’s work and stand against every hint of spiritual opposition.”
Since we are told “to stand”, that indicates that we will be attacked. We are not to retreat, but hold our ground. We must remain strong. Retreating or surrendering is not an option. The word “stand” is referred to in several passages that can also be used in many areas of spiritual warfare. I confess that I had not given the word stand much thought before writing this article. God equips us with everything we are ever going to need.
There is no better place to stand but in His grace. “Romans 5:2, states, “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”1 Corinthians 15:1 reminds us that we stand in the gospel, “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,” In 1 Corinthians 16:13 we read, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
Do we stand firm in our beliefs like 2 Corinthians 1:24 tells us to? “Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.” According to Philippians 4:1 we can stand firm in the Lord, “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”
The work of the cross has set us free. Do we walk in that freedom and stand firm because of it? Would we rather go back to the confines of the law in our legalistic tendencies? Galatians 5:1 says, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Christians often argue and disagree with each other. Scriptures give us the power to be unified. Philippians 1:27 “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”
Colossians 4:12 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. Do you stand fully assured? ”2 Timothy 3:17 tells us, “that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” I find this passage extremely encouraging. Don’t be afraid or slow to combat discouragement with Scripture.
Ephesians 6:11 tells us to put on the whole armor of God. John Macarthur says, “Put on” conveys the idea of permanence, indicating that armor should be the Christian’s sustained, life-long attire. Paul uses the common armor worn by Roman soldiers as the analogy for the believer’s spiritual defense and affirms its necessity if one is to hold his position while under attack.”
The first item we are to put on is the “Belt of Truth”. Undergarments were loosely worn at this time in history. The belt would allow the soldier to cinch the undergarment up close to his body. In John Macarthur’s Study Bible he says, “since ancient combat was largely hand-to-hand, a loose tunic was a potential hindrance and danger. A belt was necessary to cinch up the loosely hanging material. Girding up was a matter of pulling in the loose ends as preparation for battle. The belt that pulls all the spiritual loose ends in is “truth,” or better, “truthfulness.” We have God’s truth. Nothing can equip us for life like the Word of God. David Guzik adds in his Study Guide for Ephesians 6, “When a man sat down and was relaxed, he took off his belt. Putting on the belt prepared for action, it freed one for movement, and it put a soldier in a battle frame of mind. The same idea was communicated by Jesus in Luke 12:35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,” Guzik, D. (6/2022). Study Guide for Ephesians 6 by David Guzik.
The breastplate is the second item we are to wear. The breastplate protects the central part of your body. David Guzik says it like this, “Righteousness is represented as a breastplate which provides essential protection for the most vital organs. This is not our own earned righteousness, not a feeling of righteousness, but a righteousness received by faith in Jesus. It gives us a general sense of confidence, an awareness of our standing and position.” Guzik, D. (6/2022). Study Guide for Ephesians 6 by David Guzik.
No soldier would ever think to go into battle without proper footwear. Women are all too aware of the need for the proper shoes. “Roman soldiers wore boots with nails in them to grip the ground in combat. The gospel of peace pertains to the good news that, through Christ, believers are at peace with God and he is on their side (Rom. 5:6–10). It is that confidence of divine support which allows the believer to stand firm, knowing that since he is at peace with God, God is his strength.” Macarthur Study Bible
“The preparation of the gospel is represented as the protective shoes (or sandals) worn by Roman soldiers. No one can fight effectively or effectively go about his business without this equipment. Preparation is a word meaning “a prepared foundation.” The gospel provides the footing for everything we do. However powerful the rest of your body is, if you are wounded in your feet you are easy prey for the enemy.” Guzik, D. (6/2022). Study Guide for Ephesians 6 by David Guzik.
Ephesians 6:16-18 “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”
We are to take the next items with us as we do battle with the enemy. “Ephesians 6:13-14 tells us of armor to have. Some of the armor we must wear all the time and have as a standing foundation. Therefore having comes first. We must be rooted in the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the “combat boots” of the gospel. Yet now Paul will deal with aspects of the armor we are to take at the necessary moments of spiritual warfare and opportunity.” Guzik, D. (6/2022). Study Guide for Ephesians 6 by David Guzik.
“Faith is represented as a shield, protecting us from the fiery darts of the wicked one, those persistent efforts of demonic foes to weaken us through fear and unbelief.” Guzik, D. (6/2022). Study Guide for Ephesians 6 by David Guzik. Faith allows us to fight the feelings, thoughts, and emotions that the enemy will send our way.
Macarthur states, “This Greek word usually refers to the large shield (2.5 x 4.5 feet) that protected the entire body. The faith to which Paul refers is not the body of Christian doctrine (as the term is used in 4:13) but basic trust in God. The believer’s continual trust in God’s word and promise is “in all circumstances” necessary to protect him from temptations to every sort of sin.”
Salvation is the helmet that protects our heads. No soldier would enter a battle without protecting his head. “1 Thessalonians 5:8 speaks of the helmet of salvation in connection to the hope of salvation. The helmet of salvation protects us against discouragement, against the desire to give up, giving us hope not only in knowing that we are saved, but that we will be saved. It is the assurance that God will triumph.” Guzik, D. (6/2022). Study Guide for Ephesians 6 by David Guzik.
Satan is a master at discouragement. He is especially able to use this attack against women. He is able to get us to believe so many lies. We are too heavy; other people can do that better than me; we aren’t good enough to do that; we don’t have time to do that; I am not perfect so God cannot use me. The list goes on and on. I know I have believed his lies and have often found myself discouraged.
In Macarthur’s Study Bible, we read, “The helmet protected the head, always a major target in battle. Paul is speaking to those who are already saved, and is therefore not speaking here about attaining salvation. Rather, Satan seeks to destroy a believer’s assurance of salvation with his weapons of doubt and discouragement. This is clear from Paul’s reference to the helmet as “the hope of salvation” (Isa. 59:17; see note on 1 Thess. 5:8). But although a Christian’s feelings about his salvation may be seriously damaged by Satan-inspired doubt, his salvation itself is eternally protected and he need not fear its loss”
When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He replied with Scripture. “The idea is that the Spirit provides a sword for you, and that sword is the word of God. To effectively use the sword of the Spirit, we can’t regard the Bible as a book of magic charms or tie one around our neck the way that garlic is said to drive away vampires.” Guzik, D. (6/2022). Study Guide for Ephesians 6 by David Guzik.
Macarthur writes, “Security is a fact; assurance is a feeling that comes to the obedient Christian (1 Pet. 1:3–10)… As the sword was the soldier’s only weapon, so God’s word is the only needed weapon, infinitely more powerful than any of Satan’s. The Greek term refers to a small weapon (6–18 inches long). It was used both defensively to fend off Satan’s attacks, and offensively to help destroy the enemy’s strategies. It is the truth of Scripture.”
Finally, we are to remain in a state of prayer. Prayer is a powerful tool to resist the enemy. Macarthur makes these observances about verse 18, “This verse introduces the general character of a believer’s prayer life: 1) “all prayer and supplication” focuses on the variety; 2) “at all times” focuses on the frequency; 3) “in the Spirit” focuses on submission, as we line up with the will of God; 4) “keep alert” focuses on the manner; 5) “all perseverance” focuses on the persistence; and 6) “all the saints” focuses on the objects.”
There is a lot in these few verses. I will be honest, I haven’t really paid that much attention to these verses and the power they have for our lives. I am a visual learner. Many times, I just have to see it to figure it out. I hope you find this article an encouragement to continue to fight against the snares of the enemy. We want and need to be victorious. Jesus died for my sins so that I can be victorious. Join me in that victory. Guzik, D. (6/2022). Study Guide for Ephesians 6 by David Guzik. Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/ephesians/ephesians-6.cfm
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