Ephesians 6:14-18 – “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…”  NKJV

Picking up where we left off last time in enumerating the pieces of God’s Whole Armor or the Armor of the Believer we covered the Girdle or Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, and the Gospel Shoes.  Now we will consider the next vital pieces of that armor as we prepare to live day by day and engage in Spiritual Warfare.

• Shield of Faith.

Some have equated the statement of the apostle Paul, “above all…” regarding this piece of armor as it being the most important.  I would suggest that is not the meaning for how can you declare that the Shield of Faith is more important than any of the other pieces?  I believe that his meaning is “On Top of the other armor ensure you have, faith.”  Faith, in a real sense, is what makes the other work.  The Shield is outside the armor next to the body and provides additional defense against enemy fire.  As we take on the Shield of Faith we are not simply preparing to ward off his offensive thrusts but we are protecting our hearts with the assurance of God’s promises and our salvation.  When the devil hurls doubt, the Shield of Faith blocks it from ever getting to the heart or mind.  Satan’s most effective fiery darts are innuendos and suggestions, thoughts, and doubts.  No wonder we are told to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  This piece of armor helps us prevent even the thought.

• Helmet of Salvation.

The mind is a fertile ground and a prime target for the devil.  We are to have our minds covered with Salvation. Our minds are placed under the Blood of Jesus and we are transformed by the renewing of our mind!  In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 we read, “And for a helmet, the hope of salvation.”  This helmet is not some physical item that we wear like a hat, it is HOPE in His Salvation that covers our minds and enables us to think the thoughts of God. It is that which anchors us in His salvation and gives assurance and peace to our hearts.  Each day being your day reminding yourself of the assurance of your salvation and allow the Holy Spirit to cover your minds, your thoughts, and your meditations with the Blood of Jesus.

• The Sword of the Spirit.

This is the first truly offensive weapons and we are told that this is the Word of God.  Remember when Jesus encountered the devil in the Wilderness Temptation He repeatedly said, “It is Written”?  Remember He and the Bible declare that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.  God’s word is our spiritual bread and in the Lord’s Prayer we are to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.”  Natural provision and Spiritual Word from God for each day are our vital life sustenance.  The Word of God pulls down strongholds and defends us as well as destroys the works of the devil.  Learn the word and you sharpen your sword and learn to “rightly handle the word of truth.”

But, I caution you to note that putting on the armor is not the end of the exercise but the beginning.  Once you have been clothed with the Whole Armor you are to PRAY ALWAYS with Prayer and Supplication IN THE SPIRIT.  Then, he says, “…being watchful…”  We are never to let down our guard and always be vigilant and alert.  The Armor protects us, prepares us, equips us, and enables us to not only STAND but WITHSTAND and to PULL DOWN STRONGHOLDS.

Let the reality of each piece of armor sink in, meditate on them and their purpose and the Holy Spirit will help you learn how to Put on the Whole Armor of God daily and become more effective in your fervency of prayer.

God, bless you as you enjoy this day in Jesus!