The Armour of God

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.” — Ephesians 6:11

When Paul was a prisoner, probably in Rome, he was chained to a Roman soldier. Day after day, Paul could look at the soldier’s armour: his belt and breastplate, his shield and helmet and sword.

While he was there, Paul wrote a letter to the church in Ephesus, the city where the riot had happened. And at the end of the letter, he wrote about armour. Not the kind of armour soldiers wear, but the armour of God.

“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power,” Paul wrote. “Put on the full armour of God, so that you can stand firm against the devil’s tricks.”

Christians are in a battle, Paul said. Not against people, but against the devil and the powers of evil. So we need God’s armour to stand firm.

Then Paul went through each piece of armour, one by one.

“Stand firm, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.” A soldier’s belt held everything else together. God’s truth holds our whole life together.

“With the breastplate of righteousness.” A breastplate protected the soldier’s heart. Jesus makes us right with God, and that protects our hearts.

“With your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.” Soldiers needed good strong shoes. We need to be ready to go and share the good news of peace with God.

“Take up the shield of faith, which can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Roman soldiers carried big shields that could stop even flaming arrows. When the devil fires lies at us, trusting God is our shield.

“Take the helmet of salvation.” A helmet protects the head. Knowing that Jesus has saved us protects our minds.

“And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” This is the only piece of armour for fighting back. Do you remember how Jesus answered the devil in the desert? “It is written!” God’s Word, the Bible, is our sword.

“And pray at all times,” Paul wrote.

Paul had a soldier right next to him, chained to his wrist. But Paul knew that God’s armour is much stronger than any soldier’s. And it’s armour that even children can wear.

Read it in your Bible: Ephesians 6:10–20

Dear God, thank you for your armour. Help me to put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, your Word. Help me to stand firm. Amen.