NOVEMBER 2025
PUTTING ON GOD’S ARMOUR. (Message continued from the last Month of October 2025)
We have been looking at putting on the whole armour of God for our protection over the last month. We have been looking at what Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:10-18 about spiritual warfare.
Last month, we looked at the first three weapons used namely, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the feet prepared with the Gospel of peace.
In this edition, we will be looking at the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit.
Note that Paul suggests that for us to battle well and effectively, we need to put the whole armour on. This implies, the six aspects of the weapons. This means we put on together the last three I wrote about and these three I will write about now.
I will begin with the Shield of Faith. Ephesians 6:16 tells us to take up the shield of Faith, with which we can extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one. The shield of Faith was made from either goat or calf skin. It was stretched over sturdy pieces of wood. This Roman shield stood four feet long and was three feet wide.
Iron rims were fitted along the top and bottom edges, and an iron circle was attached to the centre of the Shield. The boards curved inwards and a leather strap was fastened to the back of the shield.
Before entering the army, the Roman soldiers would drench their leather-covered shield with water. When the enemy shot at them with fiery darts or arrows, the flames would immediately be extinguished because the shield had been soaked in water. When soldiers put their shields side by side, it provided them with more protection.
In application, this shield of Faith is the Christian’s protection against temptation. For example when we trust that God will provide everything we need, the spiritual forces of evil cannot tempt us with the lie that sin can provide better life than God can (Ephesians 6:12).
This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4). This means that when we are faced with authentic faith in God, the powers of darkness are overcome.
The Helmet of Salvation is the fifth weapon. This Roman soldier’s helmet was made out of bronze or iron. The sides of the face was covered with two hinged-cheek pieces for protection. Sometimes the helmet was lined with felt or sponge for comfort.
The purpose of the helmet was to protect the skull and neck of the soldier from the enemy’s weapons and any debris that may fall. In Christ time, a crest with a bit of horse hair was placed on top of the helmet. Later on, this bit of hair was dyed to enable the soldier quickly distinguish between the rank of different officers.
For application, the purpose of the helmet was that it pointed to God’s ultimate victory over the forces of evil. Jesus’s death on the Cross and His resurrection from the dead provided all believers with freedom from the bondage of sin and eternal life with God in heaven.
To put on the helmet of Salvation is to have assurance of the fact that I have been saved by Jesus. It’s to have the knowledge that I am a new creation. It’s to accept that I am in a battle and will be persecuted for believing in Christ Jesus. It also involves looking forward to eternal life and knowing that God will forgive me when I fail Him and ask for forgiveness.
The Sword of the Spirit is the sixth weapon.
Ephesians 6:17 reads “Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The Roman soldiers sword was made from iron, ivory or bone. The blade was made hard by covering the red hot iron with coal dust. This coal dust formed a hard carbon coating on the blade.
This sword is the only offensive weapon mentioned in Ephesians 6. All other weapons are defensive, to protect against the enemy.
The sword was designed to defeat the enemy’s plan and rescue lives. In battles, the rows of Roman soldiers’ swords forced their enemies back by forcing their shield forward and they used the swords to advance against the enemy. The blade was usually held flat and parallel to the ground. Hebrew 4:12 reads “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
When we are told to take on the Word of God, we are referring to either of two meanings.
We could be referring to the Gospel which is the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the good news that Jesus came to save us and give us an abundant life, and life for ever with Him (See Romans 10:8-9).
We could also be referring to the Bible. Remember that when Jesus was tempted by the devil, he used the Bible verse to respond to the devil. The devil finally left Him. So we are also told to use the powerful word of God.
Finally, in Ephesians 6:18, we are told to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, we must keep alert and keep praying for all the saints.
God bless you.
Mina Bajomo
