Putting On The Armour of God

Ephesians 6:10-18

Several years ago, I worked for a Mormon plumber. In an effort to proselyte me, he gave me a book, Putting on the Whole Armour of God. Written by a Mormon Theologian, it is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Living in a predominantly Mormon community, I am familiar with many Mormon doctrines, and accepted the book in hopes that I would be able to use it to show contradictions to the Bible, and raise questions in my boss’s mind. Reading the book was a real eye opener. There was no significant difference between what it said and what most other preachers had said about the passage in Ephesians 6:10-18. A sermon I had heard a week before was nearly identical, but preached by a Baptist.

Knowing how much difference there is between our beliefs and those of the Mormon church, I was shocked. It was not hard to understand why so many Baptists convert to Mormonism. Going back and looking at the passage again, I was amazed at how carelessly most of the sermons I had heard had handled the scripture. In effect, many of those sermons were false doctrine. I’d like to look closely at what this very familiar passage actually says.

Ephesians 6:10 is the key to the entire passage. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Most of the preachers focused on actions we could take to prepare for the battle, always telling the truth, and doing what is right. Unfortunately, even unsaved people can tell the truth and do what is right in their own power. The next few verses explain why our own power is not sufficient.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:11-13)

I was a volunteer fireman for several years. At 4:00 am. Easter Sunday morning, we received a call to a fire at the Window Rock High School in Fort Defiance, Arizona. By the time we got to the truck and drove from Navajo, New Mexico, the East wing was totally engulfed. Hooking up to the fire hydrant, we discovered that the water system had been shut off. The only water available was the 1000 gallons in our truck.

Since a 2 ½ inch nozzle requires 250 gallons of water a minute. We would be out of water in about four minutes, not even enough to completely put the fire out in a single classroom. We could not even slow the spread of the fire without more water. It would have been as effective as using a squirt gun. We needed more water power to win the fight.

God has provided weapons capable of defeating the enemy we face. Paul describes the power of our weapons in II Corinthians 10:3-5. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” Only when we have the proper weapons will we be able to stand against Satanic power, so put the armor on, and stand fast..

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:14-18)

The loins are the waist area. Many vital organs are in this area, and have no bony structure to protect them, making it an especially vulnerable area. Because the intestines fill much of the area, and contain many chemicals and germs, minor injuries are likely to result in a fatal infection. Our most vulnerable area is to be surrounded with truth, but it is God’s truth. Jesus, in prayer said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). He also described himself as the truth. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John14:6)

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32) While we ought to be truthful, it is knowing God’s truth that makes us free, and protects us from Spiritual death.

The breastplate protects the chest and upper abdomen. The heart and lungs are at least partially protected by the ribs, but other vital organs are not, making the breastplate essential. Righteousness is the breastplate, but Paul is specific that it was not his own righteousness. “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” (Philippians 3:9). It is the armor of God that protects us. Substituting our own righteousness may be fatal.

The feet are our very foundation, enabling us to stand, to walk, and to sidestep attacks. Galatians 5:16 tells us, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Walking in the spirit, our feet are protected sin. In addition, the Holy Spirit will prepare us with the Gospel, teaching us everything. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26).

Each of these pieces of armor are secondary defenses. They are the last line of defense, blocking weapons that have gotten past the sword and shield. The shield is a primary defense. It is able to turn weapons aside before they get too close. Faith should stop most attacks before they pose a serious hazard. Faith is powerful enough to stop any attack. I John 5:4 makes this clear. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

This faith is not merely believing in God, but actually committing ourselves to him. It is a result of God’s action, not our efforts. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:8). I Corinthians 12:8-9 reiterates the idea. “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit.” It is part of the fruit of the Spirit, an automatic result of allowing him to control us.

The head is the most exposed part of the body, and while protected with bone, most injuries to the head are potentially deadly. Without salvation, we are already dead. John 3:18 makes this very clear. “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” That salvation is received solely by faith is clear from Ephesians 2:8-9. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

The Holy Spirit is the proof of our salvation according to Ephesians 1:13-14. “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” He is responsible for giving assurance according to Romans 8:16. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” We need to verify that we are saved. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (I Corinthians 13:5). Without that assurance, we are still susceptible to attack. Human efforts may lead to false assurance.

Our only offensive weapon is the Word of God, and it is also a defensive weapon. II Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that it is capable of completely equipping us to do everything God wants. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Just as one must learn to use a sword effectively, one must also learn to use the scriptures. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15) The Holy Spirit will teach, as we study, according to John 14:26.

Prayer is our line of Communication, and we need to keep it open continuously. I Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us to “Pray without ceasing.” Four hours of prayer will not do the job, continuous communication is required.