It used to be that if you wanted to watch your favorite tv show you would have to see if you got the channel it would be shown on and set aside time to be on your couch, but now entertainment is so much different. It seems like every month there is a new streaming service that entices you with its own exciting shows and movies.
One of the most exciting and most watched shows of the last few years was Star Wars' The Mandalorian. The show was based on Din Djarin, a warrior and bounty hunter traveling the galaxy. Din's superpower wasn't super strength or super speed, nope it was his armor. It was the Mandalorian's armor that gave him an edge on all his enemies, as long as his armor was in still together, you felt like he had a chance to survive.
Did you know that just like the Mandalorian, we need to be protected from our enemies? And in the case of the spiritual warfare that we all experience, we can't just put on any suit of armor, we have to put on the very best. The good news is God has provided armor tougher than beskar.
In Ephesians 6, Paul gives us plenty of detail about the whole armor of God and how to use each piece.
Let's check it out.
Ephesians 6:13
"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 firm."
According to Ephesians, in order to withstand any attack from our enemies, we must put on the armor of God. So, what is the armor of God?
There are six items contained in the armor of God.
Belt of Truth
First, we have the Belt of Truth. Just as a belt holds your clothes together and keeps everything at the right and appropriate level, the belt of truth is the foundation and centerpiece of the armor of God.
Because when we are anchored in the truth, we can determine what is false and fake. So the very first thing we need to do is be able to determine what is truth. How do we do that? By studying the word of God, the Bible.
Breastplate of Righteousness
Next, we have the Breastplate of Righteousness which is perfectly centered right over your heart. It would be easy to assume that the Breastplate contains our own righteousness, but if that was true, any blow would go right through the breastplate. Our righteousness is like dung. It's worthless, but the righteousness of Jesus? That's something altogether different.
You see, we are saved not by how good and righteous we are, but how righteous Jesus is. So the Breastplate of Righteousness which protects our hearts actually belongs to Jesus. When we accept Jesus into our hearts and into our lives (either internally or publicly through baptism,) we are no longer wearing our own Breastplates, but the one that belongs to Jesus and nothing can get through that.
Shoes of Peace
The official name for the shoes is the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace. Let the Gospel of Peace be your guide and take you from place to place. Be ready to share the story of Jesus and your story of meeting Jesus.
This is why we go where we go. Not because its cool, although it is. But because the story of Jesus has so mightily impacted our life that we know others would also benefit from meeting the one we call friend.
Shield of Faith
Onward to the Shield of Faith!
Ephesians 6:16
"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;"
Before even one projectile reaches you it has to deal with the Shield of Faith. Faith does a number of things, but maybe one of the most beautiful and powerful aspects of faith is its ability to give us hope.
Hope will always be greater than fear.
Faith helps us to move forward. Even when there are darts and arrows all around us, if we have faith as our shield, we can continue to go on because we have faith in the promises that Jesus has given us.
Isaiah 41:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Helmet of Salvation
We also have the helmet of Salvation for protection. At times Satan can attack us through our minds and say ugly things that can tear down our character and leave us feeling hopeless. Maybe you have experienced these accusations before:
- Your sins make you worthless.
- God doesn't want you.
- You can't come to church until you are perfect.
- How could anyone ever love you?
- You will never be accepted.
The truth of the matter is that God does indeed love. He values you beyond anything. His Son Jesus even gave His life up to save you. You don't have to fix your problems before you come to God and quite frankly, people who attend church aren't perfect holy people but are broken people like you and me.
This is where the Helmet of Salvation comes in. God has already offered us each salvation and all we have to do is wear the helmet. Our salvation is secure and those accusations are like dust in the wind.
Sword of the Spirit
Now what about attack? Every piece of the armor of God so far has been used in defense. What if I want to really give it to my attackers? Well I have some good news for you and some bad news.
The Sword of the Spirit is also the Word of God or the Bible.
Ephesians 6:17-18
"the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication."
When we attack, we should always attack the same way, first with the word of God and then through prayer. We are not called to attack the enemy because that job belongs to God. The reason for this is it can be more damaging than good.
When we attack someone, even Satan, we are actually doing the work of the devil. In the Bible, Satan is called the accuser of the brethren. But the Holy Spirit is called the convictor of sin.
Just remember, pray first and if you need a tool against the enemy always turn to the Bible.
There you go! That's the whole armor of God.
And always remember you're safest when you have your armor with you!