We hear a lot of teaching on the Armor of God. Some of us have even taught it to the children who attend our churches. But when it comes down to it do we really know how to “put on the full armor of God” Eph 6:11 . Are we able to effectively “take up the full armor of God and resist in the day of evil?” Eph 6:13

The Belt of Truth:

One of my favorite verses is John 8:32 “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." This verse sounds so promising when you read it but have you ever noticed how the truth really hurts sometimes? Every time I ask God to speak truth into my life and bring freedom in areas of my walk with Him, it usually involves me having to change, stretch, grow, give up, or sacrifice something in order to be set free! And while we are on the subject… have you ever noticed that God will normally use people that you would rather not hear “the truth” from, to speak into your life. So you also have to deal with humbling yourself to listen to what they have to say.

 The Breastplate of Righteousness:

“If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. Romans 8:10” Then we read in Romans 10:10 that true righteousness is the result of what you believe in. “For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” So, if we have an unbelieving heart it can also be our downfall. If you think about it, it really is hard to fight for something that you really don’t believe in. Judas is a good example of this, when things got hot he buckled under pressure. If he truly had a revelation of who Jesus was there is no way he would have sold out like he did. Peter, on the other hand, wavered in his courage but in the end stood victorious because his heart was right and he truly believed in Jesus and all He stood for.

 The Helmet of Salvation:

Are we wearing the helmet of salvation? Do we cast down reasoning and arguments that contradict what God’s word says? Are we able to recognize and capture thoughts that could so easily make us loose our focus during the fight?

“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

Have you ever watched a fight scene where the bad guy starts messing with the good guys mind by saying negative things or reminding the good guy of past hurts or bad memories? Or he’ll remind the good guy of his past failures or weakness. What is his motive? To get the good guy to loose focus, get angry or loose confidence and slip up or do something irrational.

Our minds are the gateway to our emotions and when they are left unguarded with the helmet of salvation it can be dangerous. So how do we keep the gates guarded? By applying Romans 12:2

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” It’s kind of like having to renew your insurance policy on your car. You don’t have to renew it and you may even get away with it for awhile, but if you ever get into an accident or see flashing red and blue lights behind your car, you are going to wish you hadn’t taken chances. You are treading dangerous ground if you don’t renew your mind on a consistent basis with what the “belt of truth” holds for you.

 The Shoes of Peace:

When we go about our daily duties and interact with others do we strive for peace?

 If you read Matthew Henry’s commentary on what the shoes of peace represent you will find the following:

“Shoes, or greaves of brass, or the like, were formerly part of the military armor (1 Sa. 17:6): the use of them was to defend the feet against the gall-traps, and sharp sticks, which were wont to be laid privily in the way, to obstruct the marching of the enemy, those who fell upon them being unfit to march.

Dr. Whitby thinks this may be the sense of the words: "That you may be ready for the combat, be shod with the gospel of peace, endeavor after that peaceable and quiet mind which the gospel calls for. Be not easily provoked, nor prone to quarrel: but show all gentleness and all long-suffering to all men, and this will certainly preserve you from many great temptations and persecutions, as did those shoes of brass the soldiers from those galltraps,’’

Have you ever come in on a Sunday morning only to find that the snack you purchased for your classes that day has been used by another ministry, or the wiring in your sound system has been totally restructured thanks to the ministry that used it the day before, and you can’t get anything to work. The last thing on your mind at that moment is “peace”. There is a lot more to walking in peace than simply saying the words “peace be with you…”  “And also with you…” Sounds great, but peace is not a gift that falls out of the sky and hovers over you all day long. It is something you have to develop and grow in, just like love and patience. You have to PUT IT ON so that when you come across a “gall-trap” you will not be caught in it and become “unfit to march”.

 The Shield of Faith:

When we see a fiery dart coming our way are we ready to quench it with the shield of faith? Do we know how to fight the good fight of faith without being flaky? God doesn’t need a bunch of leaders walking around making a bunch of empty confessions for things that will only benefit them in life. What He is looking for is leaders that see the big picture and believe in what He has called them to. Leaders who are willing to trust in Him and His word no matter how many fiery darts may be thrown at them. If you look up the word shield in the bible there are many verses that talk about how God is our shield in times of battle. For instance, Proverbs 18:29 reads: “For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall. 30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” God is looking for those who walk in faith and are willing to combine that with work. When He sees a leader who truly stands in faith and is willing to act on that faith, then He becomes their shield and quenches all the fiery darts.

 The Sword of the Spirit

If you will remember, the belt of truth represents the written word of God, but the sword of the Spirit represents the spoken word of God. What’s interesting is that all the other pieces of armor are designed to defend us from an attack but the sword is designed as a weapon with which to fight. The key here is that we are to SPEAK OUT what is written in God’s word in the midst of the attacks and strongholds of the enemy. There is great power in what we say and the attitude in which we approach the battle. The Bible states Proverbs 18:21 that death and life are in the power of the tongue. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Have we experienced the overwhelming power that comes from praying and speaking God’s word effectively? Do we know how to pray “effectively”? Will we stand firm in faith when, in the natural, it seems that there is no solid foundation to stand on?

 If you enter a battle without ALL of your armor on, you will find yourself spending all of your energy covering up and defending weak spots and you will not be able to stand and fight effectively. Before you know it the enemy will have you on your back with his foot on your chest, claiming victory once again in another area of your life or ministry. The Bible clearly states in Hosea 4:6 that “People perish for lack of knowledge” And in Hosea 6:14 we read “… the people without understanding are ruined.” In other words “Ignorance brings destruction”. Could it be that so many leaders “perish” in the midst of a battle because they lack the know how when it comes to using their armor and the weapons they are given. Are ministry opportunities ruined because we lack understanding when it comes to fighting a battle? Is this why it feels like we are fighting in the buff?

 I’ve asked a lot of questions and, if you feel like you are standing in the middle of a battle in the buff, I sincerely encourage you to take the time to answer each of them. The next time you hear a “Victory Cry” let’s make sure it’s yours.