OCTOBER 2025
PUT ON THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD
The Lord did not leave us to grapple with challenges, and storms, and battles on our own. He warned us that these would come, so made us aware of the Armour He had made available for us to put on, to ensure we enter into victory.
Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes (Ephesians 6 v 10-11).
We are told to put on the full armour. It's important that we don't try putting on just part of it as it will not be effective in this war that is raging. The idea is that we are able to stand against the wiles of the enemy.
We are told that it is important that we identify our real enemy, as it is easy to get preoccupied with fighting in the wrong battle. We are told that we aren't fighting flesh and blood. This implies that we are not fighting our husband, wife, sisters, brothers or children. We have fought and gotten ourselves battle weary in the wrong battles for too long. We have to turn away from these wrong battles.
We need to arm ourselves with the full armour, put it on, and face the right enemy. You must be wondering who we are fighting against. We are told that the battle is against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. That sounds a lot and is intensive. This is why we really need the Lord to tell us how to battle, so that having done all, we will stand. "Stand our ground in the Bible" implies, to remain firm and steadfast in one's faith, convictions and position against opposition, often through spiritual preparation and reliance on God's strength. It involves actively resisting the devil and spiritual attacks by living according to God's word resisting temptation and enduring trials.
Notice also that Paul tells us to prepare for "when" the day of evil comes, and not "if". This implies, that we ought to be prepared before hand as this day of evil is sure to come.
The first weapon we are told to have on is the Belt of Truth. This we are to buckle around our waist. This was a belt made from leather and had an apron that hung from it. The apron had small brass plates attached to it. All this served to provide the greatest possible protection for the Roman soldiers groin and lower abdomen.
Apart from the belt serving a protective role, it also served to tie up the clothing so it would not get in the way while fighting.
In addition, this belt served to ensure you were a person of truth. This implies that you know the good news about Jesus, and can explain why you believe in Him. You enter into freedom as you hold the truth in your heart. So when the enemy assails you, with stuff that is not true, you can rise in authority of the truth of God's word, and what Jesus has said. This implies you know the truth of God's word.
In addition to the above, we are told to put on the Breastplate of righteousness. This was placed around his chest. There were two types. The first type was made by joining several broad curved metal bands together using leather thongs. The other was a type of chain mail that was constructed by linking small metal rings together until they formed a vest.
The breastplate served to protect the soldiers vital organs that is his heart and lungs, so that an arrow didn't easily get into a soldier's chest. In Isiah 59:16-17 the Lord puts on righteousness as a breastplate and goes unto battle against injustice and corruption, restoring peace and order to the land.
Righteousness is not something we earn by doing good works. It comes from having faith in Jesus Christ. God therefore offers all believers His own righteousness (Romans 3:22, Titus 3:5).
So for you and I firstly, it means believing in Jesus and His righteousness, and not ours or our good works (Galatians 2:20, 21).
Secondly, it implies standing firm against injustice and corruption (Heb 1:9).
Thirdly, it's acknowledging that God's promises His protection against the forces of evil for those who have faith in Jesus.
Prov 4:23 says to guard our hearts because out of it, flows all the issues of life. The enemy knows this and brings all sorts of tales to destabilize us. The bible advises that we bring every word under the authority of Jesus. This implies our thoughts, desires, etc., we have to bring under the Lordship of Jesus.
The third piece of the Armour is the Feet prepared with the Gospel of Peace. Sturdy shoes are important for the feet of any soldier because they always have to match. In Isaiah 5:27-28, there is the description of some parts of the the Roman Army's gear. The breaking of a soldier's shoe was a metaphor for weakness or defeat.
The Roman soldiers shoe was made from thick leather and studded with hobnails. This studded soles enabled the soldier to stand firm, keeping his feet from slipping in battle. These shoes enable him to maintain his position against his enemies.
The Gospel of Peace is the good news that we can have peace with God. Before we turned to Jesus, we were going our own way and wanted to live for ourselves. In God's goodness and mercy, and extravagant love for us, He made a way for us to be reconciled with Him and the ability to live in peace. This is what propels us into the battle. Peace also implies the absence of conflict and the absence of worry. This peace is the assurance and confidence that God has everything under control.
As members of God's army, we go into battle, assured of this peace we have with God. Without this gospel of peace on our feet, we would have nothing to stand on.
In our Enewsletter next month November, I will discuss the other three parts of the armour of God that He has made available. For now, let's get to understand how to apply these three to enable us use them effectively.
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