“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual host of wickedness in heavenly places.

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.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your fee with the preparation of the gospel of peace, above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

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 spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” ( Ephesians 6 : 10 -18 )

What Paul is doing here is Describing what the armor of God is and how it is used. And although this armor is invisible, this armor, the armor of God is very real, and when worn and used properly provides full protection against satan’s  attacks on us.

None of these six pieces of this armor requires any power on our part. Jesus has already taken care of that with His death on the cross, and by His resurrection, Jesus has already won the victory for us. So now we put on the armor  Christ has provided for us, so we can move forward in faith.

As we put on the  armor of God we should start with the Belt of Truth. During the time of Jesus, when Jesus walked and lived as a man on earth, a soldiers had a few uses, it not only helped keep his armor in place, it also helped protect his vital organs. Christ called satan  “the father of lies.” And deception is one of satans oldest weapons, but by putting on the Belt of Truth, by holding the devils lies up against the truth of Gods Word, that is the gospel, we can see through satans lies and we are protected from them.

Next comes the Breastplate of Righteousness. Wounds to the chest can be fatal, that’s why soldiers in ancient times wore a breastplate, and why soldiers today wear body armor to protect the heart and lungs. The Breastplate of Righteousness is worn to protect our hearts from the deceptions of this world, the Breastplate of righteousness is the righteousness that we received when Christ died on the cross for us. We can not earn this righteousness through our own efforts, but only by believing in Jesus Christ ! Then and only then will God see us as sin-less and accept us into the Kingdom of Heaven. So put on the righteousness that Christ gave us with His death on the cross, let it  cover you and protect your heart, and keep your heart pure and strong for God. Proverbs 4 : 23 saids to ” Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

In Ephesians 6 : 15 we are told to fit our feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In ancient times soldiers would often scatter barbed spikes or sharp stones on the battlefield or near a fort to slow down their enemies. And satan will do the same by scattering traps for us to fall into. To slow us down or even stop us from spreading the gospel. The Gospel of Peace is our protection from these traps, it reminds us that, it is by Grace that our souls are saved. If we put on the Gospel of Peace, and remember that sharing the gospel ultimately brings peace between God and men. ( Romans 5 : 1 ) We can sidestep the devils traps.

Next we take up the Shield of Faith. Ancient soldiers used the shield to defend against and deflect arrows, spears, and sword strikes. We use the Shield of Faith to defend against satans most powerful weapon, doubt, satan will shoot arrows of doubt at us when God doesn’t answer right away, or doesn’t act when we think He should. ( Remember, God don’t wear a Rolex, but His timing is always perfect.) The Shield of Faith, when held high will protect us from satans arrows of doubt and keep us confident that God always provides, God protects, and that God is always faithful. Our shield holds because of the one our faith is in, and that is Jesus Christ !

Now we put on the Helmet of Salvation, the Helmet of Salvation our minds, where all thought and knowledge is. In John 8 : 31-32 Jesus said, ” if you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

And the truth of salvation really does set us free ! Free from the temptations of this world, and free from sin. But for those that reject Gods plan of salvation, they battle satan unprotected. The Hemet of Salvation protects our thoughts and minds, and is a crucial piece of the Armor of God, and we can not survive without it !

Now for the only offensive weapon in the Armor of God, the Sword of the Spirit. This is the Word of God, the Bible. ” For the Word of God is alive and active, sharper then any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” ( Hebrews 4 : 12 )

When Jesus was tempted in the desert by satan, He countered with the sword of the Spirit, with the truth of scripture.  And by doing so set an example for us.  The devils ways have not changed, so the truth of scripture the Sword of the Spirit is still our best defence.

Finally we add the power of Prayer.to the armor of God.  Every smart soldier knows he must keep the lines of communications open to his commander, & God is our commander & God has orders for us His soldiers. And they come through Gods Word & the Holy Spirit & our line of communication is through Prayer. (by the way satan hates it when we Pray) he knows prayer strengthens us, & keeps us alert to his trials & traps. And we are to pray for others as well.

When we put on the whole armor of God, and the gift of Prayer, we can be ready for whatever the devil throws at us.

In war the number of men and woman on the front-line is only about 10%of the people in a army, the rest are support, command & supply but when the enemy is satan we all are on the front line, &we all are support & supply. I don’t know who wrote this but I believe it sums up what it means to be a soldier of God.

I am a soldier of God! I am a soldier in Gods army. the Lord Christ Jesus is my commanding office. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer, and the word are my weapons of warfare.

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.

I am volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity, I will either retire in this army at the rapture, or die in this army fighting, but I will not get out, be talked or pushed out.

I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable, if God needs me, I am there! He can use me to fight the fight.

I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me, I am a soldier of God!

I am not weak, I am in place, saluting my king! Following His lead, praising His name, and building  His kingdom! I am there! I am committed!

I can not lose enough to cause me to quit. When I was called into Jesus army I had nothing.  If I end up with nothing. I will still come out ahead, I will win! My God has and will continue to supply all my needs.

I can do all things through Christ. The oppressor can not defeat me. People can not disillusion me. Battle can not beat me. Money can not buy me. Death can not destroy me.

I am a soldier in the army of God! And I am marching and claiming victory. I will not give up, I will not give in, I will not turn around, I am a soldier in the army of God!