Welcome to “Putting on the Whole Armor of God”. In this devotional, we’ll examine how crucial it is to protect ourselves from spiritual attacks by donning all of God’s armor.
As Christians, we are engaged in a spiritual battle with demonic powers operating in the heavenly spheres rather than physical ones. In order to defend ourselves against the devil’s attacks and to maintain our commitment to our religion, it is essential that we put on the armor of God.
» Monday, 20th March 2023 | I Stand In The Gap Daily Devotional | Putting on the Whole Armor of God
Yesterday’s daily devotional theme was “I Have the Peace of God“ and today’s is about “Putting on the Whole Armor of God“.
Anchor verse of the day
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NKJV)
Ephesians 6:10–11 is a call to believers to have strong confidence in the Lord and to put on all of God’s protective gear so that they can resist the devil’s schemes. The spiritual armor that believers must arm themselves with to be protected in spiritual combat is described in this text using the picture of a Roman soldier’s armor.
Note:
- The belt of truth reminds us to hold fast to God’s truth
- The breastplate of righteousness protects our hearts from the enemy’s attacks
- The shoes of peace help us stand firm in our faith
- The shield of faith defends us against doubt and fear
- The helmet of salvation guards our minds against discouragement, and
- The sword of the Spirit equips us with God’s word to fight against the enemy’s lies
Themes in Ephesians 6:10-11
- The need for strength in the Lord: This topic focuses on how much it is important for Christians to rely on God’s strength and might rather than their own.
- The reality of spiritual warfare: The passage highlights the significance of donning all of God’s armor to protect oneself from the devil’s attacks and characterizes the Christian life as a struggle against his wiles.
- The importance of preparation: The passage calls believers to be intentional about putting on the whole armor of God, which includes elements such as truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. This theme emphasizes the importance of being intentional about spiritual preparation and growth.
- The role of faith: The verse highlights the value of having confidence in God as a component of the divine armor that believers are to put on. To remain steadfast in spiritual combat and fend off the enemy’s assaults, faith is necessary.
- The power of God: The verse serves as a reminder to Christians that they can rely on God’s might and power to defeat the devil’s plans. The significance of relying on God’s strength rather than our own is emphasized by this theme.
What is the background to Ephesians 6:10-11?
The apostle Paul wrote the book of Ephesians while he was a prisoner in Rome. As a letter of guidance and inspiration for believers, it was addressed to the church in Ephesus and the nearby areas.
In the framework of chapter 6, Paul is giving Christians instructions on how to practice their faith in real life. He starts off by talking about different relationships, like those between spouses, parents and kids, and employers and workers. He then switches to the subject of spiritual warfare and the necessity for believers to be ready to resist the devil’s plans in verses 10–11.
The Roman Empire was the region’s main political and cultural force throughout Paul’s lifetime, and Ephesus was a significant hub of Roman influence. Paul’s use of military metaphors to describe the Christian life as a struggle with spiritual powers may have been influenced by this.
The church in Ephesus may have found the subject of spiritual warfare to be particularly pertinent because the city was known for its heavy emphasis on magical activities and confidence in supernatural abilities.
Similar Bible verses
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV)
This text from 1 Peter discusses the concept of spiritual warfare and the requirement to oppose the adversary, just like Ephesians 6:10–11 does. The comparison of the devil to a roaring lion searching for prey and Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians to “stand against the plans of the devil” are comparable.
Paul’s advice to put on the armor of God in order to be prepared for spiritual battle is comparable to the urge to be vigilant and oppose the adversary by remaining solid in the faith.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV)
Paul describes the Christian life as a struggle against spiritual powers in this verse by once again utilizing military metaphors. Paul’s emphasis in Ephesians on the necessity of donning the armor of God is comparable to the notion that our weapons are not of this world but rather have supernatural power.
Paul’s exhortation to resist the devil’s plans and pick up the shield of faith in order to quench his blazing arrows is echoed in the demand to destroy arguments and every pretense that puts itself up against the knowledge of God.
Based on Ephesians 6:10-11, how is the Believer to live his life?
This implies that the believer must be prepared and equipped to deal with spiritual conflict and adversity. The believer is also urged to maintain their composure and to put their faith in God rather than their own strength or ability to overcome their fears or doubts.
As a result, the believer must lead a life of preparation and vigilance, always being ready for whatever obstacles may arise and constantly depending on God’s strength and ability to triumph.
Reflection on Putting on the Whole Armor of God
The necessity of being ready for any spiritual fights we may encounter in our life is emphasized in Ephesians 6:10–11. It exhorts us to put on the whole armor of God, which consists of a number of spiritual components that might support our will to maintain our faith in the face of challenges from the spiritual world.
The title “Putting on the Full Armor of God” reminds us that we cannot merely rely on our own power to handle the challenges and hurdles we meet in life. Instead, in order to be ready for whatever may come our way, we must rely on God and put on all of God’s armor. In order to discern and defeat the devil’s tricks, we must intentionally make an effort to be watchful, prayerful, and steadfast in the Word of God.
To live a victorious Christian life, every believer needs to put on the armor of God every day. It serves as a reminder that we are engaged in a spiritual conflict and that the adversary is trying to destroy us. But armed with the protection of God, we can face any situation head-on with the assurance that God is with us and that He will give us the strength to get through it.
In order to live our lives with the confidence that comes from knowing that we are prepared to meet any spiritual resistance that may come our way, let us, therefore, make a conscious effort to put on the full armor of God each day.
Let us pray
Our Father,
We pray that you support us in our attempts to live our lives in a way that pleases you as we come before you today to consider how important it is to put on the full armor of God.
Please assist us in identifying the spiritual wars we are engaged in and in putting on the spiritual armor you have given us.
We pray that this daily devotional will serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement for everyone who reads it.
We also pray that it will assist us in becoming closer to you so that we can live our lives with faith and assurance, knowing that you are by our sides at all times.
We ask in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
