By Jonathan Bennett
In Ephesians 6:10–20, the apostle Paul gives Christians one of the most vivid and practical
illustrations of the Christian life: a soldier preparing for spiritual warfare. “Finally, be strong in
the Lord and in the power of His might,” he says—not as a closing benediction, but as a charge
moving forward. The battle is not over, it is just beginning.
For Christians, the call to spiritual preparedness is more than symbolic. It is a biblical
mandate to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. We must restore New Testament
Christianity not only in worship and doctrine, but in life. The armor of God described by Paul
provides exactly what the Christian needs to live faithfully and victoriously.
Strength in the Lord: Paul emphasizes that our strength is not found in ourselves, our
heritage, or our knowledge, but “in the Lord.” This echoes God’s call to Israel through Joshua: “Be
strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:6–9). The strength that comes from God is not passive but
active, working “through His Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). Our reliance on divine
strength is a foundational principle in the church, where all authority comes from Christ through
His Word (Colossians 3:17).
The Armor of God: Paul’s command to “put on the whole armor of God” is a call to action.
The Greek word panoplia describes the full offensive and defensive equipment of a Roman soldier.
Just as the Roman army relied on its equipment for survival and victory, Christians are called to
rely on the spiritual tools given by God. These tools are not optional—they are essential. As Paul
says in 2 Corinthians 10:4, “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty in God for
pulling down strongholds.”
A Spiritual Battle: The Christian’s enemy is not flesh and blood. Rather, we wrestle against
spiritual forces—against sin, temptation, error, and worldly philosophies that oppose God. Satan
works subtly and persistently, targeting the hearts and minds of believers. While these battles are
spiritual, they often result in very real changes in our lives: how we speak, what we value, whom
we associate with, and how we worship.
The Components of the Armor: Paul describes each piece of the Christian’s armor with
precision:
- The Belt of Truth: Truth is foundational. Jesus declared, “Your word is truth” (John
17:17). Without truth, the rest of the armor cannot hold together. In the church, we emphasize
biblical truth and reject man-made creeds, striving always to “speak where the Bible speaks and
be silent where the Bible is silent.” - The Breastplate of Righteousness: This protects our spiritual heart. Righteousness is not self-made but results from obedience to God’s commands (Romans 6:16–18).
- Feet Shod with the Gospel of Peace: As Roman soldiers needed stability in combat, Christians must be grounded in the gospel. The “preparation” implies readiness—to stand firm and to move quickly in service. Paul reminds us that Christ “is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14).
- The Shield of Faith: Faith acts as a defense against Satan’s attacks. The early Christians didn’t simply believe—they lived by faith, trusting in God’s promises and obeying His will, even under persecution.
- The Helmet of Salvation: Salvation guards our minds. A Christian must never forget the hope and assurance that comes from being in Christ (Romans 8:1). This helmet is only worn by those who have obeyed the gospel—hearing, believing, repenting, confessing Christ, and being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
- The Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God is our only offensive weapon. It pierces the heart (Hebrews 4:12), convicts the sinner, and builds up the saint. In a world of confusion and compromise, Scripture remains our ultimate authority.
Constant Prayer: Paul concludes with a charge to “pray always.” Prayer is the Christian’s communication line with the Father. Just as a soldier relies on supply lines to survive, so must Christians remain in constant connection with God through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6–7).
Conclusion: The battle is real. The stakes are eternal. But God has not left us defenseless.
With His armor, His Word, and the support of the church, we can stand firm—fully equipped, fully
protected, and fully committed to the cause of Christ.
