The Full Armor of God 🛡️
The full armor is comprised of six distinct pieces, each with a specific purpose.
1. The Belt of Truth ⚖️
- Verse: Ephesians 6:14 “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.”
- Meaning: A Roman soldier’s belt held everything together. Spiritually, truth is the foundation of our strength. It’s about knowing and living by the truths of God’s Word, which stand in stark contrast to the lies and deceptions of the enemy.
2. The Breastplate of Righteousness ❤️
- Verse: Ephesians 6:14 “with the breastplate of righteousness in place.”
- Meaning: The breastplate protected a soldier’s vital organs, especially the heart. This piece of armor represents the righteousness we receive from Christ. It’s not our own good deeds, but His perfect righteousness that protects our hearts from the accusations and guilt that the enemy uses to attack us.
3. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace 👣
- Verse: Ephesians 6:15 “and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
- Meaning: Roman soldiers wore sturdy shoes that gave them firm footing on the battlefield. Spiritually, this means we stand firm on the good news (the gospel) of peace with God. This peace gives us stability and the readiness to go and share the message of peace with others.
4. The Shield of Faith ✨
- Verse: Ephesians 6:16 “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
- Meaning: The shield was a defensive tool to block attacks. Faith is our shield. When the enemy shoots “fiery darts” of doubt, temptation, and fear, our faith in God and His promises can extinguish them and protect us from harm.
5. The Helmet of Salvation ⛑️
- Verse: Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation…”
- Meaning: A helmet protects the head, which is the seat of our thoughts and mind. The helmet of salvation protects our minds from the enemy’s attacks of confusion, hopelessness, and doubt about our security in Christ. It’s the assurance of our eternal salvation that guards our minds.
6. The Sword of the Spirit ⚔️
- Verse: Ephesians 6:17 “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
- Meaning: The sword is the only offensive weapon in the armor. It represents the Word of God. The Bible is our primary weapon against the enemy, just as Jesus used scripture to defeat Satan’s temptations in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). It is a powerful tool to fight back and overcome the enemy’s schemes.