His Glory Blog

Ephesians 6:13-18 ESV (KJV)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. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth (having your loins girt about with truth), and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by (preparation of) the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one (the wicked); ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer (perseverance)and supplication. 

Fasten on the belt of truth: Expressed in the Greek this can be read as encircle your loins with truth. The loin is the area of your body that contains all your vital organs and is also the source of core stability. It controls your ability to stand upright. The term “gird your loins” refers to preparation for a significant task. Think of the truth being available to protect your areas of vulnerability and allowing you to stand upright against opposition. The truth will create stability so that you can discern lies of the deceiver from the truth of God. The analogy of a belt means that we must fasten the truth around us and secure it. Do you see any significance that it is mentioned first?

Breastplate of righteousness: Expressed in Greek this can be read as covering your chest/heart with equity of character in justification. Justification is oneness with God. The character we build through relationship with God is righteousness. Justification with God through Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit to dwell in our heart. This breastplate allows our Godly character and indwelling Spirit to protect our hearts from corruption through the schemes of the enemy.

Shoes of readiness in the Gospel: Expressed in Greek this can be read as having shod the feet with preparation of the gospel. As believers we are called not only to share the Gospel of Jesus but to walk out the message of Jesus, which is love, grace, and adoption. We are called to walk with our Lord in sanctification. That is, becoming like Christ in our journey. Saying the words out loud and repeating the words of scripture is the beginning. Preparing your heart, binding on readiness, to walk out the truth of Christ and overcome the resistance of the deceiver is next. The name of Jesus defeated satan at the cross, His gospel is now a protection against the obstacles in our path. Our hearts are protected to speak and now our feet are protected to walk out our faith.

Shield of faith: Expressed in Greek this can be read as protection in the form of belief in the truthfulness of God, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; against the attacks by evil influence of the morally malicious. Faith in God’s truth is the source of our salvation, ever since the Book of Genesis. Your salvation creates a oneness with God, justification through Christ. The Spirit of God dwells within you and His power works through you. That being the case, what better shield to have from the flaming arrows of the wicked than the power of God in you? When evil attacks try to cast doubt, faith in the things not yet reveled will not only deflect the lies of the enemy but draw you closer to God when faith become revelation.

Helmet of salvation: Expressed in Greek this can be read as encircle your head with the morality of deliverance. Protect your mind with the defenses of the Savior. When your heart belongs to the Spirit of God, the battle is for your mind. The battle between the lies of satan and the truth of God takes place in our minds as thoughts. We are told to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Our salvation allows us to redirect our thoughts into Godly action and discern the voice of the deceiver. Allow the condition of your holy heart to act as a helmet, protecting your soul. We are told “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” You belong to God and satan cannot take what is not given away.

Sword of the Spirit (the Word): Expressed in the Greek this can be read as the use of God’s breath in battle as a weapon against evil. God’s Word is spoken thought scripture, by Jesus, and written on our hearts. The truth given to us by God’s Word is a weapon that pushes back the attacks and temptations in battle. The Word of God drives out darkness, falsehood, fear, hopelessness, and condemnation. Remember the temptations of Christ in the wilderness. Jesus is attacked with temptations and counters with scripture. He attacks the lies of the devil with the truth of God. Not only does the Armor of God prepare us to defend ourselves, it gives us a weapon to drive back the deceit. This weapon is called a sword but is sharper than any man-made tool, piercing even to dividing the soul and spirit. That is the truth of the heart (spirit) from the battlefield of the mind (soul).

These 6 verses in Ephesians are often glossed over as an outfit for battle. The truth is found in what is being protected and what power is derived from each component. Read the scripture, then read each commentary. Think deeply about what each piece of armor means to you specifically. In prayer ask God to confirm its placement on you and to fortify your walk with Him. Then re-read the scripture again with the fortification of God’s revelation and see yourself standing ready at God’s side. Do not fear what has already been defeated. Drive out the darkness of sin, protected by the grace of God reveled through us as: truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation, and His Word.