God’s Word tells us that we are involved in a spiritual battle and we are under constant attack from an unseen enemy.
Ephesians 6:10-18 says,
“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on 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 the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace, above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints.”
But we are not alone in this battle, and we do not need to be afraid (Isaiah 41:10). God has promised to be with us, and He has provided us with our own spiritual armor for our protection.
Just as a soldier would not consider going into battle without their armor, neither should we consider stepping into the day without our spiritual protection.
We are called to put on the armor of God each day so we can stand against the devil. Here is a breakdown of each part of the armor and how to use it.
The Helmet of Salvation
A helmet is designed to protect the head during combat. As Christians we have the Helmet of Salvation, given to us as part of our protective armor to fight the battle against the unseen enemy. We are instructed to put on this Helmet to protect our minds and our thoughts from the enemy’s attacks. Our thoughts and attitudes can affect our behaviour and our emotions, causing us to doubt God and taking us away from His plans and perspective. By putting on the Helmet of Salvation we are thanking God for His salvation and asking Him to protect our minds and our thoughts.
Lord, thank You for Your gift of salvation. I declare on my Helmet of Salvation and I ask Lord that You would protect my mind and my thoughts, and that they will be honoring to You. I ask that you would bring my thoughts in line with Your thoughts and Your perspective.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
In battle the breastplate is designed to cover and protect the heart and other vital organs. The heart is associated with love and the Breastplate of Righteousness is designed to protect our hearts and our emotions from the enemy. The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart (Deuteronomy 6:5, Mark 12:28-31). God desires, and deserves, first place in our hearts and lives.
Lord, I ask You to take Your rightful place on the throne of my heart. I declare on my Breastplate of Righteousness and I ask You to protect my heart and my emotions with Your righteousness.
The Belt of Truth
The belt warn in battle is designed to give quick and easy access to critical fighting essentials such as small weapons and first aid gear. The Belt of Truth equips us in our spiritual battle against the enemy’s lies and deceptions. John 8:44 says that the enemy is a liar and deceiver and there is no truth in him. In contrast to this John 14:6 tells us that Jesus is the Truth. John 8:31-32 says that if we remain in Jesus we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free. The Belt of Truth equips us with truth to counter the enemy’s lies and deceptions.
Lord, thank You that You are Truth, and that You desire to set me free. I declare on my Belt of Truth and I ask that You would fill me with Your truth and that You would help me to discern truth from deception through this day.
The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Combat boots are designed to enable a soldier to travel distances over all types of terrain offering stability and protection to their feet as they deliver help and protection to others. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace are designed to protect us on our journey through this world as we walk in peace with God and others, and as we bring the good news of salvation to others (Isaiah 52:7).
Lord, thank You for Your peace which passes all understanding. I declare on the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace and I ask Lord that You would go with me and before me and protect my path with Your peace. I ask that You would guide, lead, and anoint me with your peace as I carry the good news of Your salvation to others.
The Sword of the Spirit
The sword is used in battle as a weapon. It can be used defensively to protect, or offensively to attack. The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is the only piece of weaponry we are given with our armor. The Word of God is powerful, and quoting scripture, claiming the promises of scripture, and praying through scripture is a powerful weapon against the enemy. Jesus used the Word of God against the devil when He was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). God promises that His Word will accomplish His purposes and we can use the Sword of the Spirit in our battle against the enemy.
Lord, thank You that Your Word is alive and powerful. I take up my sword and ask that You would anoint it as I use Your Word in my fight against the enemy. I ask that You would strengthen me in the battle and I claim Your promises given to me in Your Word.
The Shield of Faith
Shields are used in battle to intercept attacks. Our Shield of Faith is our protection from the fiery darts of the enemy (Ephesians 6:16). Attacks can come at us from all directions, from the enemy, and from others. By faith we can stand against the enemy and use our Shield of Faith to protect us from attack, declaring that if God is for us who can be against us (Romans 8:31). With our Shield activated by faith God promises that no weapon formed against us will prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
Lord, I take up my Shield of Faith and I declare, as it is written, that ‘God is for me’ (Romans 8:31). I claim Your promise in Your Word that ‘no weapon formed against me will prosper’ (Isaiah 54:17) and I declare that I do not sit under any words or curses of any person. I claim Your protection in and throughout my day.
Finally, we are encouraged to pray at all times in the Spirit, being watchful, and to persevere. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us that the enemy is on the prowl, like a roaring lion, waiting to devour us. We need to be aware of the enemy’s subtleties and attacks, and we can be well prepared for these if we put on our armor daily.
Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:41