BELT OF TRUTH~REPRESENTS NOT LIVING A LIE IN ANY PART OF OUR LIVES, LIVING FREE OF ANY SECRET AREAS OF HYPOCRISY.
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS~IS THE PROTECTION WE RECEIVE WHEN WE CHOOSE THE RIGHT THING EVEN WHEN WE FEEL LIKE CHOOSING THE WRONG THING. GOD WILL HONOR OUR OBEDIENCE BY CHANGING OUR HEARTS IF WE LET HIM. ALSO PRAY PSALM 141:4~" LET NOT MY HEART BE DRAWN TO WHAT IS EVIL".
SHOD YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION(READINESS) OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE~OUR FEET GIVE OUR BODIES BALANCE,HAVE A"FIRM FOOTING" IN THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. WE CAN REMAIN BALANCED BECAUSE ALTHOUGH WE ARE AT WAR WITH SATAN, WE ARE AT PEACE WITH GOD.
TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH~THIS IS OUR PROTECTION WHEN SATAN TEMPTS US TO DISBELIEVE GOD. WE ARE NOT CALLED TO HAVE FAITH IN OUR FAITH, WE ARE CALLED TO HAVE FAITH IN GOD AND NEVER DOUBT HIM.
TAKE THE HELMENT OF SALVATION~THIS PROTECTS OUR MINDS. FILL YOUR MIND WITH THE WORD OF GOD AND THINGS PRETAINING TO GODLINESS. DELIBERATELY AVOID DESTRUCTIVE INFLUENCES.
TAKE THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT~THIS IS OUR ONLY OFFENSIVE WEAPON AGAINST THE EVIL ONE. KNOW AND USE THE WORD OF GOD PRESISTENTLY.
PRAY IN THE SPIRIT OF ALL OCCASIONS~PRAYERLESS LIVES ARE POWERLESS LIVES.
AlWAYS KEEP ON PRAYING ON FOR ALL THE SAINTS~POWER RESULTS FROM COLLECTIVE PRAYER. GOD DELIGHTS IN OUR PETITIONS FOR EACH OTHER
What is the Armor of God?
God's armor brings victory because it is far more than a protective covering. It is the very life of Jesus Christ Himself. "[P]ut on the armor of light," wrote Paul in his letter to the Romans, "...clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 13:12-14) When you do, He becomes your hiding place, and shelter in the storm--just as He was to David. Hidden in Him, you can count on His victory, for He not only covers you as a shield, He also fills you with His life.
"I am the vine; you are the branches," said Jesus. "If a man abides in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Since living in the safety of the armor means oneness with Jesus, we can expect to share His struggles as well as His peace. Remember, God has promised us victory in the midst of trials, not immunity from pain. So "do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you, but rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ..." (1 Peter 4:12-13) Christian heroes who have been tortured for their faith continue to testify to the supernatural strength--even joy--that enables them to endure unthinkable pain.
They affirm with Paul -
"that in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.... For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers.... will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-39)
This wonderful truth has become reality to all who believe and follow Jesus. When you put on His armor, His life surrounds you, keeping you safe, close to Himself, and free to be His precious friend and trusted companion. So "put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27) He is your victory!
How do I "put on" the Armor?
This life in Christ begins with learning, affirming, and trusting in each part of the armor. The first part is truth--God's revelation of all that He is to us, all that He has done for us, and all that He promises to do for us in the days ahead. This enduring truth is written in the Bible, revealed by the Holy Spirit, and realized through Jesus Christ. It cuts through all the world's distortions, deceptions, and compromises. When you study, memorize, live, and follow truth, it enables you to see the world from God's high vantage point. Putting on the first piece of the armor means feeding on truth through daily Bible reading and making it part of yourself.
PARTS OF THE ARMOR | KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT... | AFFIRM KEY SCRIPTURES |
| Belt of TRUTH | God | Deut. 4:39; Psalm 23:1; 18:1-3 |
| Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS | Your personal righteousness | Psalm 100:3; Rom. 3:23-24, 6:23; Gal. 2:20-21; Phil. 3:8-10. |
| Sandals of PEACE | Inner peace and readiness | Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14; John 14:27, 16:33, 20:21. |
| Shield of FAITH | Living by faith | Rom. 4:18-21; Heb. 11:1; 1 Pet. 1:6-7 |
| Helmet of SALVATION | Salvation through Christ today and forever | Each day: Ps. 16, 23; Heb. 1:3-6 For eternity: 2 Cor. 4:16-18; 1 Thess. 4:17; 1 John 3:1-3 |
| Sword of the spirit GOD'S WORD | God's Word countering spiritual deception and accusations | Heb. 4:12; Matt. 4:2-11; 1 Pet. 3:15; Ps. 119:110-112 |
To put on the "full armor"--and enjoy a daily and eternal love-relationship with Jesus Christ, thank Him for what He has shown you in His Word. Know the Scriptures behind your prayer so that your words and faith are grounded in the authority of the Bible. (Some of those verses are listed in the chart above.) Then pray through each piece. You can use the following prayer as an outline:
- The belt of truth: Thank you, my Lord, for showing me the truth about yourself. Thank you for reminding me that You are the only God, the Creator of heaven and earth, the King of the universe, my Father who loves me, and my Shepherd who leads me. You are my wisdom, my counselor, my hope, and my strength. You are everything I need each day.
- The breastplate of righteousness: Thank you for showing me the truth about myself--that on my own I could never be good enough to live in your presence. Thank you for taking my sins to the cross and offering me your righteous life. Lord, show me any sin that I need to confess right now, so that nothing will hinder me from being filled to overflowing with your Spirit. [Take time for confession] Thank you for forgiving me and for filling me with your righteous life.
- The sandals of peace: Thank you for the peace you give me when I trust and follow you. Show me how to help others find that peace.
- The shield of faith: Thank you for helping me have faith in you. I choose to count on everything you have shown me about yourself--and everything you have promised me in your Word.
- The helmet of salvation: Thank you for promising me salvation both for today's battles and for all eternity.
- The sword of the spirit, the Word of God: Thank you for the scriptures you have given me to memorize. Please show me which one(s) you want me to use to cut through deceptions and gain your victory in any battle I may face today.
