The Armor of God

Is a very well known topic with many Christians...

but it is vastly misunderstood
We have prepared this study to reveal truth and reveal that wearing this armor is not an option.

It is not something to hide behind and protect us from enemy attack.
It is to be worn as one complete inter-connected item that is in truth a very powerful weapon

The Armor of God is found in Ephesians 6:10-22. On most occasions it is read, people stop at verse 18 and miss something important.

Paul wrote his letter to the Church at Ephesus, because of problems. The church was grieving the Holy Spirit with backbiting, malice, wrath, bitterness and so on. By allowing the flesh to dominate, it gave the devil legal grounds to enter, so he wrote to tell them to stop these things.
The book speaks chapter-by-chapter about the major Christian doctrines of –

• Election and predestination
• The grace of God
• The eternal plan of God
• Five fold ministries
• Relationships
• Marriage

After teaching on these matters, Paul summed up the most important message of all with a simple word—finally.

It is as if he left the most important part to the last. He could have said, Now we come to the most important part of all and if there is anything I want you to remember, then this is what I want you to take to heart! The word used is loipon, with such meanings as besides, final, finally, moreover, now, it remains, furthermore, from henceforth etc.

Paul was talking about being prepared for any contingency in life, especially in spiritual matters. Our battles are not with flesh and blood and the weapons of our warfare are thus not to be natural weapons, but spiritual, if we intend to win and win we shall, because Jesus has already achieved the victory.
John 10:10 tells us that that the devil hates us and he wants our total destruction, but Jesus destroyed the works of the devil.
The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done]. 1 John 3:8.

Isaiah 9:2-4 says-
The people who walk in darkness will see a bright light. The light will shine on those who live in the land of death's shadow. You will expand the nation and increase its happiness. It will be happy in your presence like those who celebrate the harvest or rejoice when dividing loot. You will break the yoke that burdens them, the bar that is across their shoulders, and the stick used by their oppressor, as {you did in the battle against} Midian.

Isaiah 10:27 says-
And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

When steel rusts, it corrodes. The metal is eaten away until nothing remains. It cannot return, for it is gone forever! One of the major problems in the aircraft industry is this factor. Stress and corrosion will bring an aircraft down, so rigorous testing and inspections are inherent part of the industry. This aspect of corrosion is what God has done for our sin. Hallelujah! Jesus did away with the sin principle once and for all time and He has also destroyed the power of the enemy over us. 

Despite that, many Christians often live in defeat or fall short of the mark because they do not know the truth! After reading this, you will know the truth and what happens in your life after that will depend on you. 

The difference between Christians who live as God intends and those who do not has little to do with your education, life experience, family ties, culture, the state of the economy, your geographical location or other matters, but on what you do with Jesus and if you apply the word of God to your life. When Jesus said in John 8:32 we are able to know the truth that can be a liberating force in us, but it has to be applied. It has to be a working knowledge that stems from intimacy (the Greek word for know is Ginosko that talks about the deepest, most intense form of intimate knowledge we can experience). It makes us free. Knowing facts does not. Jesus was speaking to learned religious leaders that are like many modern day theologians and religious people. It is possible to have many facts about the bible, but miss out on what God has for us because of that lack of intimacy.

The text reads as follows-
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20.

Finally:

As I said earlier, Paul summed up his teaching on various Christian doctrines with what may be the most important message of all with a simple word... Finally.

It is as if he left the most important part to the last. He could have said, Now we come to the most important part of all and if there is anything I want you to remember, then this is what I want you to take to heart!

The word used is Loipon, with such meanings as besides, final, finally, moreover, now, it remains, furthermore and from henceforth.

Paul was talking about being prepared for any contingency in life, especially in what is often referred to as spiritual warfare. Whilst there are occasions when we have enemy activity, some christians become overly engrossed in what they call spiritual warfare. It is as if they are obsessed with fighting the devil and his evil cronies. I have witnessed many well-meaning people going on what is nothing less than witch hunts, looking for evil spirits lurking everywhere when something goes wrong or someone has problems.
If we are really honest, some people indulge themselves and pamper to the flesh without any help from the devil at all. Some situation arrives and those believers start binding this and cursing that and it seems that this is all that they do. They might feel good and self righteous, but what is really accomplished? One thing that I have noticed is that the devil gloats because he is receiving attention. What is wrong with proclaiming the truth that Jesus saves and liberates? He did not tell the disciples about the devil and evil spirits when he sent the out on assignment. He commissioned them to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Whilst they were on their missions, they encountered enemy activity and spontaneously acted accordingly and told him about it on their return. The account may be seen in Luke 10:1-20.

Sometimes that person who seems to be an enemy might not be your enemy at all. We do not have to put up with foolishness and opposition of course, but it may be wise to remember that this person is not the enemy. He or she could be a puppet manipulated by the real enemy.
Our battles are not with flesh and blood and the weapons of our warfare are thus not to be natural weapons, but spiritual. Paul stated-
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

If we intend to win and win we shall, because Jesus has already achieved the victory, we must function with such principles, that is, by using the tools God gave us. Despite how good other things may be, if we do not operate in this dimension of the spirit (because we are spirit beings and our foe is a spiritual foe), we will fail!
We have already seen that the devil has determined to bring us down, but we are thankful that Jesus has already dealt with his authority on the earth and negated his legal ability to operate. He can only do so when believers are not aware of the truth and give an opportunity for him to operate.

There are many scripture to affirm that comment and illustrate that the devil is not as all-powerful as some people think. We can resist him you know. See 1 Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7; Romans 16:20; Ephesians 1:20-23.

I would like to build on the foundation I have been laying and relate to Jesus before continuing. This is important because we need to see what he did and how he handled things so that we can do likewise.

The enemy often tried to kill Jesus, starting from birth and continued during His ministry, but he could not even touch Him. Certainly he tempted the Lord, but he had no power or authority over Jesus until it was time for Calvary and even then, Jesus exercised his dominion. See John 10:18 and John 19:11.

On many occasions, the devil suspected that something was going to happen but was not sure of the details and orchestrated the deaths of many innocent children trying to stop God’s plan. Innocent babies were killed to get Moses but he was spared.  Joseph was warned in a dream to take the baby Jesus to safety to preserve His life.

We must believe that the devil does not possess any of the faculties of God whatsoever. He is a created being—but we are Sons! God is all knowing, present everywhere and has all power and authority. The devil can only be in one place at a time. Why would he wander throughout the earth seeking those he might be able to afflict, if he could? As for power and authority, he has none. Jesus said that all power was given to him.  

Although he is a very powerful and intelligent being who hates us, the devil does not have revelation knowledge. If he did, he would not have orchestrated the execution of the Lord Jesus. Too many people give the devil credit far too many things and too many Christians do not realize the potential God has given us and hidden nothing from us, but for us if they could only grasp this fact.

Paul said-
But we speak wisdom among the perfect; but wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who come to nought. But we speak God’s wisdom in [a] mystery, that hidden [wisdom] which God had predetermined before the ages for our glory: which none of the princes of this age knew, (for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;)  but according as it is written, Things which eye has not seen, and ear not heard, and which have not come into man’s heart, which God has prepared for them that love him, but God has revealed to us by [his] Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who of men hath known the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? thus also the things of God knows no one except the Spirit of God.  But we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which [is] of God, that we may know the things which have been freely given to us of God:  which also we speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, communicating spiritual [things] by spiritual [means].  But [the] natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him; and he cannot know [them] because they are spiritually discerned; but the spiritual discerns all things, and he is discerned of no one.  For who has known the mind of [the] Lord, who shall instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (emphasis mine).

Paul quoted Isaiah 64:4, which refers to the heathen—not to us! They are not in a covenant relationship with God as we are, so the things of God are of course a mystery to them. We however have the mind of Christ and by belonging to a completely different kingdom—the Kingdom of God, have free access to revelation knowledge and live under a completely different system. We have the bible and the Holy Spirit to bring illumination to us as Jesus promised in John 14:26, 15:15, 16:13-15. They are designed to teach us. Sickness, trials and tribulations in life may certainly give us some experience, but such conditions are not our teacher and are never to be our teacher. God is! Circumstances change and storms go, but the word of the Lord is constant at all times and the Spirit of God never changes. 

We have said that the devil tried to kill Jesus before His time, but was as always unable to thwart the plan of God! Look at an incident in the life of Jesus in Mark 4:35-41. The comments are mine.

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. Jesus fully intended getting there! He said it and He did it. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. Jesus’ ship was not alone! And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. His ship—not the other ships! And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to an other, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Jesus had been teaching The Word and He expounded All Things to His Disciples! Everything He did was by the Word. He Is the word!

Sadly, there is a lot of preaching around that has very little to do with the Word of God and the truth of God is thus shrouded in hearsay, religious mystery and tradition, pomp and ceremony and religious mumbo-jumbo. This sounds critical, but it is true nevertheless. God never wants us to be ignorant of truth and never hides it from us, but we do have to glean it for ourselves from the Word.

He fully intended ministering to the man at Gadara and to open a branch of the Jesus of Nazareth Evangelistic Organization and the devil suspected something was going to happen. The devil is a schemer and a plotter, so,  being a master at strategy, saw a golden opportunity to wipe them all out in one foul stroke. All the core members of this group were in one boat at the same time, so if he could kill them, he would stop Christianity before it even started! There are some key points to look at-

◦   When Jesus said,  Let us pass over, He had no doubt that He was going to reach His destination. He was on an assignment that ultimately led to the salvation of a precious soul and the expansion of the Kingdom of God. The devil does not want either of those things to happen. The word Jesus used was Dierchomai, which relates to the act of travelling, but one meaning is to pierce. Jesus was in effect piercing into the devil’s territory and take over. Little wonder that storm rose up.

◦   The disciples Took Him as He was. The Greek word is Paralambano, which means association. They were in intimate association with the Son of God. Are you?

◦   The disciples who were professional fishermen accustomed to storms were afraid, because this was not a Natural Storm. It was demonic driven.

◦   The word used to describe this storm is Thyella, which means a hurricane or a cyclone, slay and wrath!

◦   The waves beat into the boat, being derived from the word Epiballo which is comprised of two other words. One is Epi, meaning cyclone, slay & wrath. This was a demoniacally driven force that was picking up waves and repeatedly hurling them At the boat with the intention of smashing it to pieces. It was like a cricket fielder grabbing the ball to throw at the bails and run the batter out, or a baseball pitcher winding up and pitching.

◦   Other little ships were also with Him but according to Mark, His was the only one affected.

◦   So much water filled the boat, it filled so much that it literally started to swell out or bulge at the seams. The Greek word used is Gemizo. Mark tells us that Jesus was sound asleep. If the boat was so full, as seen in the previous point, why didn’t Jesus get wet? Surely, that would wake anybody, but He was untouched. The waves that beat against that boat, merely rocked Him to sleep. He was at Peace!

You can have Peace in a Storm and when you have such peace, all hell can be breaking loose around you and you will come through it! After all, didn’t He promise to give us His peace? See John 14:27. The point I wish to make is that we do not ignore the problems that beset us. That would be foolish, because they are real, but we can have His peace in the midst of the storms of life when we are in the will of God. Jesus was always living in complete and utter co-operation with the mind and will of God. That produces real peace! The disciples did not yet possess that peace so woke Him. When they woke Him, Jesus did two things-

He rebuked the wind:

When Jesus stood up in the boat and spoke, the word He first used was Epitamao, which simply means stop!

It had an almost mocking tone about it, as if He was saying, Is that all you can do? Nothing can deflate a proud, vain and egotistical fool than mocking them like that. Once that ego had been dealt a blow, it lost its motivation, gave up and quit!

Jesus simply told the wind, Quit your foolishness and stop it... now, dealing with the source of the problem first!

Sometimes we neglect to deal with the root cause and merely fight against the results or the symptoms that follow.

I remember the time we had a weekly prayer and worship meeting, when a woman came for healing of a headache. We prayed and she said the headache had immediately gone. She returned some time later with the same problem, received prayer and said she was healed. This continued several times and I started to think that something was wrong. Was she merely an attention getter, or was there some other thing?

When I asked the Lord about it, He told me to stop praying for her and to tell her to start using her reading glasses! We had been praying for the results, but not addressing the cause.

Jesus dealt with the source first!

He spoke to the sea:
Having dealt with the source of the problem, He turned His attention to the results or the outcome by giving spoken instructions. The word used is Epo. That was a literal command. Jesus was on a mission and had the full approval of the Father, so had the necessary delegated authority to issue such a command. He knew the mind and will of the Father and had perfect union with Him, so out of this union of intimate relationship, he was qualified to issue such a command that simply had to be obeyed. May I remind you that Jesus told us to do likewise?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12.

He gave us delegated authority that is backed up with His delegated ability. I encourage you to study the words power and authority in this regard. Start with Matthew 10:1; Mark 16:Luke 9:1, 10:19; Acts 1:8, 4:33 and look for key words like Dunamis and Exousia!

In the midst of this noisy hurricane, Jesus was violently shaken awake by frightened followers, stood up in the boat, laughed at the wind and said, Stop that, then said to the waves, Now... Listen to Me! His next instructions were in the form of the word Siapao, which means hold your peace, silence, be quiet and be speechless, or as I would most likely say, Shut up!

He then said Peace to the situation, followed by a command, Be Still. Jesus used the word Phimoo, which describes the action of muzzling something, or as some folk would say, gag something.

His instructions were basically as if He said Be Silent and listen to this... Shhh.

Think right now of a situation in your own life that is like a raging storm around you and say, Shush! Many people start shadow boxing, struggling and fighting, getting on all sorts of witch-hunts and yelling at stuff and really achieve very little. They have expended their energy, grown weary and frustrated and that storm is probably still blowing. All Jesus did was put his finger to his mouth and say Shhh and The Wind Ceased! The Greek word used to describe this is Kopazō, which simply means that it just grew tired and wore itself out! Mark says that there was a Great Peace… not just peace. There are two kinds of Peace. One is Peace With God, such as what we receive at salvation. The other is the Peace Of God that we enjoy in our relationship with God.

I used this story to illustrate that, although the devil is an already defeated foe, he has not yet given up, or give up easily. Think of a court of law in which the judge pronounces sentence on the person standing before him. He has been found guilty as charged and the sentence is given accordingly, but has not yet been carried out!

The devil has already been tried and convicted of his crime, disarmed and defeated, but the full sentence has to yet be carried out.
He is completely obsessed with our destruction & is constantly seeking ways to bring us down. He is always on the prowl, probing here and there looking for a weakness or a chink in our armour. See 1 Peter 5:8-9 and James 4:7 and the page The War Of The Worlds!

Now that I have established a foundation on which I can build, we shall turn our full attention to The Armour of God. It is not what you may think.

Some teachings depict the armour as being defensive, almost like something to hide behind when the devil attacks, as if we are always being threatened and the underdogs. NO! NO! NO! According to Deuteronomy 28, we are the head, not the tail; Above and not beneath, lenders and not borrowers! 2 Corinthians 2:14 tells me we always triumph in Christ.
The Armour of God is a powerfully strong, strategically wielded offensive weapon.

After his teachings in the preceding chapters, Paul summed everything up, saying something like, :If youi cannot remember all the other things I have taught you, then please remember this!"

This church was one of the largest in existence. It had everything going for it, with all the programs and facilities one would expect in a modern day church. They started well, born of the Spirit, enjoyed the manifest presence of God and were growing well until something started going wrong. I suspect that they got their eyes off the Lord Advocate General of the Church and started to lock the Holy Spirit out of their meetings and began concentrating on the peripherals.
Sadly, church growth and success can be a trap to the unwary. Whilst we need good structure and organization and the various projects and programs with which most are familiar and what I personally strive for, this very success and growth factor can at times be the thing that may cause us to lose the edge.

I have seen this many times when those admirable and required elements seem to become the objective. The church becomes like such a well oiled machine that it may keep running under the inertia of its sheer size. Even if God were not there, it keeps running. On many occasions, manipulation, domination and control, faction fighting, and other problems set in and the downward spiral often begins.
I personally feel that this was what happened and Paul wrote to them to get them back on track in the preceding chapters of Ephesians. As if this were his closing statements, or conclusion, Paul told them to put on the whole armour of God—not some of it; not the parts you think are more important, look better or feel better than others—not part but all of it!
He also tells us that this armour is whole or complete in itself. Nothing else is required!
We shall now start to look in depth at his summary and break it down into segments.

Paul continues in Ephesians 6:13 with a conclusion, like saying Having said all that, or In the light of these things—Analebete.
 

It means to Take Unto You! This is a compounded word derived from the words Ana and Labete, which comes from Lambano which means to do it right now! It relates to taking hold of and receiving a thing and keep using it. It is like saying now that youhave started, keep going.

In other words, Reach down and pick up the armour you were wearing, as if it had slipped down around your feet. Pick it up and put it back on in the way you first wore it—and keep on doing it.

This is what had happened to the church at Ephesus. They had started well, but became disconnected from God and thus from the power of God. Instead of continuing to do what they started with, they were operating now out of tradition, history, intellectual knowledge or habit, but their armour had fallen off. Their experience with God was now mere religious observance and it is clearly evident that this is the state of far too many people today who call themselves Christians! 

Paul said that we are to do this so that we may be able to withstand in the evil day.
If you wonder what this means, consider your evil day to be any day in which evil tries to get into your life... and having done all, to stand. See Ephesians 6:13.
Tradition says, If faith does not work...stand; If prayer does not work...stand and if you have obeyed the Word...stand.

This has caused much hurt to people. If those things have not worked, then standing on the word or whatever will not work. The devil will beat you more, because you have misunderstood what it really means. It speaks of positional status. We must oppose the devil and maintain our stand or positional status and keep abiding there.

Look instead at it like this-Having brought your battle to an ultimate conclusion...
God is predicting the outcome before it starts, by telling us that at the end of the day to make sure that you are the one left standing. With this armour on, God is telling us that before the battle starts, We Will Always Be The One Left Standing! We shall now take a detailed look at the armour itself... 

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth. Ephesians 6:14.

The Loin Belt was possibly the most important item of all, but it was rarely seen and was probably not very glamorous, but it was of vital importance because it held everything together.

Without that, everything can fall apart. 
The loin belt covered the loins, which refers to the reproductive organs. It is the loin belt of Truth. There are some aspects of truth to consider. Jesus is the way, the Truth and the life (John 14:6). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth who guides us, leads us and teaches us all the truth. See John 14:16-17, 26; John 15:26, John 16:13-14.
God's word is truth. See Psalm 33:4; John 17:17; Colossians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

Our only ability to reproduce in the spirit is in the Word of God. If we do not know the truth, we will fall for anything.

The loin belt held the breastplate together. The shield of faith which we shall look at shortly could be clipped to the loin belt.
The Sword of the Spirit, which we shall also look at soon, fitted into its scabbard which was fixed to the loin belt.

If you think for a moment about the temptation of Jesus, He did not succumb to the wiles and strategies of the devil, because He was wearing this loin belt of truth. On each and every occasion Jesus was tempted, He did not fight against it, struggle and strive not to yield. He spoke truth! It is written... It is written... It is written! My friend, you too can overcome, by knowing and applying the truth the way Jesus did. He said-
...If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32.

That word Know is Ginōskō. It relates to the very highest of intimate, personal knowledge, such as that of a man knowing his wife as in marriage.
God wants us to be so close and so intimate with Him and what He has said that we can think as He does, Act as He does and talk creatively as He does. When we reach this level, which is very possible for everyone, we can live well and victoriously.
Merely acquiring information, culture, history or tradition (which is more often than not the tradition of men) will not suffice and may in fact produce bondage. Jesus was talking to Jews who knew the Old Testament backwards, but had no idea of the revelation contained within! They, like many modern day theologians may possess great information, but not be able to see the truth hidden within because their studies, that are wonderful indeed, are too often intellectually based. He said-
[Yes] I know that you are Abraham's offspring; yet you plan to kill Me, because My word has no entrance (makes no progress, does not find any place) in you. John 8:37.

Please note that Jesus said that we cannot be His disciples, if we do not abide in His word! He also said-
So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free. John 8:36.
 
It is not knowing truth, but the application of this truth that will be in you, a liberating force. See Psalm 19:7-14; 119:11, 33-45, Romans 1:16, 15:4; 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23.

The breastplate was made of two separate pieces, one fitted to the front and one to the back and was held together and fastened by two brass rings at the shoulders. It supported the shield that was held by or fastened to the loin belt by a fitting on the side. When required, the soldier could slip it from its clasp. 

The breastplate (thorax) covered the vital organs and extended down over the knees so that it not only covered the vital organs, but also extended down like a skirt. It was fastened together at the waist to the loin belt.

Often times it was made of brass chain mail. Whilst it provided protection, its appearance was enhanced—almost polished by the continual rubbing action each individual piece had because they rubbed against each other.  We can also take on lustre by relating to each other and thus polishing each other as we walk together.

The longer we walk in righteousness the better we become and the more beautiful we become. If their breastplates could shine in the sunlight, how more brilliant can we become as we radiate with the light of God in our lives?

It is not just called a breastplate but the Breastplate of Righteousness. It covered the heart and deals with a Christian's right standing with God. Righteousness speaks about justification; our declaration of innocence by God; our cleanness of heart before him when we make Jesus the Lord of our lives. See Acts 13;39; Romans 5:1; 1 Corinthians 5:1; Colossians 2:10-15.

The Shield refers to an often misunderstood item. It is often regarded as a defensive item, but this is far from the truth. Paul said-
Above all… take the shield of faith.

This is not saying that faith is the most important, but that faith has to be out in front. There is a faith that covers all.

There were two kinds of shield. One is a chield called aspis. This was a small round shield used for ceremonial purposes only. It was highly decorated, engraved and polished, but due to its relative small size and shape, offered little protection in battle.

The other is thurion which means a door. Please bear in mind that Jesus is the door (John 10:7-9).
This shield was an oblong or rectangular shape and it is very interesting.
When enlisting into the army, the soldier was measured for his shield. It was custom made for him so that it covered him from top to bottom and from side to side.

This now makes sense when we see that God has dealt to EACH man THE MEASURE of faith. You have enough. God has already given you all the faith you will ever have so asking for more is not actually correct. Use what you have. Increase in faith merely means that you start to use more of what God has already set aside for you. Your measure has been tailor made for you and the standard is of course, Jesus. Romans 10:17 says-
faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

God has said too many times to mention here that our success depends on what we do with his word. The more we use it, the more we release or use what he has already given us. A few examples are found in Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 40; 5:1; 6:1-3, 7-9; 7:9-15; 8:1-6; 15:5-6; 28:1-14; Joshua 1:8.
If this shield is a door, then the shield of faith must be a door. Faith is the door through which we can do to do the impossible, receive the miraculous and do what God expects of us.

We have often pictured soldiers with big heavy metal shields. Big brass shields were often used more for ceremonial purposes than for battle. Such shields were heavy and unwieldy. Another kind of shield was often used in close combat.
In early warfare the shields used in actual combat were often made from wooden frames over which leather was stretched. The leather could be studded with metal of course, but essentially the shield was leather to give lightness and ease of use. The shield could have a metal spike on the bottom that could be used as a weapon.

Such shields were regularly oiled to make the leather supple and pliable. If a shield was dry it became brittle and was easily penetrated, so a soldier was obliged to regularly smear oil on his shield. Arrows dipped in burning oil could be not only deflected but the flames extinguished, especially if the soldiers soaked their shields in water just before battle. The fiery darts of the devil are not something to fear, causing people to want to cower behind their shield of faith as is too often purported, but things that could be deflected or extinguished without harm to the individual. Extinguishing something is an action, or an active force. 

Bible students should know that oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Christians cannot do without a regular smearing and anointing of the Holy Spirit. Without that, we become dry and brittle, easily penetrated and damaged. I never cease to wonder why so many Christians deny the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives and refuse to use what he has given us to live effectively.

The soldiers could easily manouevre their shields with military precision. They could interlock them to form a wall of armour on front, provided by the soldiers in the front lines, whilst others behind could hold their shields overhead for a protective covering. When Paul said ABOVE ALL, he described this wall both ahead and above the individual. Biblical terms like God being our SHIELD and Buckler now start to make sense.
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him 2 Samuel 22:31. 

Quenching fiery darts refers to  a special kind of arrow. There were two kinds of arrows that look alike externally. One was an ordinary kind, sometimes encased with oil soaked rags, but the other was hollow that was filled with an inflammable liquid. It “exploded” on impact. This latter one was very dangerous, because when this was in flight, it was almost impossible to tell any difference. Anyone who was not prepared would be taken by surprise. You did not know it was coming until it hit you.


The purpose of the fiery darts that the devil uses is to catch us unawares and to inflame the vilest of human emotions. This is why 
Paul told us to have this shield out front where it is supposed to be where it is covering all, so that it would extinguish that arrow.



Before battle, the soldiers would soak their shields in water. When they took them out, they were dripping wet adding to the protection against any  flaming arrow. This tells me that our faith is to be soaked in the water of the word.

We now turn to the next item.

The Helmet of Salvation.
Roman helmets especially those of officers, were often very elaborate and covered with all sorts of images and adornments. Some had plumes on them. High ranking officers had elaborate plumes of feathers, some of which were so long they draped down their backs. They got attention!


This is like salvation. It is something noticeable. You can see a perfect stranger who just happens to be a Christian and see something in him. 
There is some kind of recognition within that is like a knowing that the other person is a born-again believer. It is a witness in the spirit that Paul describes in Romans 8:14-17. The King James version incorrectly renders the word as itself, instead of himself, when speaking of the Holy Spirit. He is not an object or an it, but the third person of the Godhead, possessing intellect, feelings, emotions, beliefs and desires. Treat him with respect.
This helmet is invisible to the natural eye, but is seen spiritually. The Holy Spirit who dwells within a believer enables us to see each other as he sees us, namely, blood washed, redeemed saints.

In battle a formidable foe was someone who knew how to use a battle axe, not just to use it in close, but to throw it with great skill and force. If it it someone on an unprotected head, it meant death. The devil wants to hit us a blow on the head to knock us into insensibility, or knock revelation knowledge out of us. Little by little he wants to knock healing belief out of us, knock prosperity out of our belief structure and so on until we have few belief systems left in us. Once we have lost those things, all that remains is human generated religion.

The word for helmet means something wrapped tightly and tightly around our head.
The word used for salvation embraces everything from soundness of mind to fulness, peace and healing, completion and the like. We must have these things wrapped so tightly into our system by the Word of God that nothing will deter us, inflict permanent damage, cheat us out of believing what God has said or hinder us from moving into what God has told us to do.

The Sword was placed in a sheath that was fastened on the other side to the loin belt. It also provided a fastening for the lance’s scabbard. The lance fitted into a sheath running down the middle of the back and was also fastened to the loin belt and we shall talk of this lance afterwards. 


Everything pivoted around the loin belt. Paul said to have our loins girt about with truth (Ephesians 6:14) and God's word conveys this truth to us. Everything we are, do or have, depends on the Word of God or to more correct, by revelation knowledge in the Word of God! Without this knowledge and experience, we are vulnerable. Little wonder that the devil has infiltrated some churches and educational systems to remove the bible. Anyone who does not know his or her covenant rights can be conned. Anyone who does not know the contents of the last will and testament could be cheated out of their inheritance. The dark ages ushered in a dangerous element. People were illiterate, so their priests had to read scriptures to them, but it devolved to interpreting what they meant and discouraging the laity from reading for themselves. Bibles were few and far between, but when the printing press was invented, the written word became readily available. What has happened is that in many churches today, reading of the word of God as it should be read does not happen. This fact is easily verified by attending one of them. Test me and go.

Paul clearly stated that the sword of the spirit is the word of God. It is not the bible as such. Some Christians have heard of the Logos, but fewer have an understanding of the Rhema. Both can talk of the bible. The former is merely the paper and ink, for want of better description, but the latter is the living, revealed word. It is as if the Spirit of God reveals something to you, or opens up a passage to you. He gives understanding.
Theologians often miss this wonderful and powerful element, focussing on the mere logos. It is not that they are in error. Their work is great, but often lacking life, because it is intellectually based. This is the kind of difference Paul spoke of in the first few chapters of his first letter to the church at Corinth.

Anyone who has read the bible many times, can often open a passage and read it as if for the first time. A word or phrase seems to leap out of the page at them. It is as if the author points his finger to that section telling you, "Look at this." That is the kind of thing I mean and it is amazing.

Paul rightly called it The Sword of the Spirit.

Many kinds of swords used, but two main ones were used in the Roman Army.
The first kind was a huge 2-handed sword that was too big and cumbersome to use single handed or use in battle. Its purpose was for training and exercise. It was used to develop yourself and get yourself fit. One trained by swinging it sideways to hit the target. Tis is not the sword that the Spirit wields. Perhaps this is the better way to say it.

The type of sword Paul described here is machaira. It was a small, short sword used for close combat.

The bible is the double handed sword. If you are in a battle, it is no good waving that big double handed sword against the enemy because it does not work! It is too cumbersome and heavy, dull on the edge and once you start swinging it, the enemy can duck the blow or cause you to lose your balance relatively easy.

The Sword of the Spirit is a small personal sword that is designed for one-on-one close combat, so close you could see the enemy’s face, perhaps so close, you can smell his breath. Remember that the sword is held in the sheath that is held onto the Loin Belt. This means that when you draw your sword,you are drawing from every faculty of the spirit that the complete armor  provides!
The word Macharia is linked to other words that mean quarrel, dispute, striving etc and is linked to words that mean dagger. This makes is a close-in and very personal affair.

Jesus did not quote the whole bible to the devil but specific words gained by intimate and personal relationship with the Father, prayer and the Rhema word that directly related to the issue at hand. 

Scriptures also speak of the 2-edged sword seen in scripture.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12.

What is this twoedged sword? The Greek word used is distomos. It is derived from two other words, stomos and di. The former means mouth and the latter means two.

This means that it comes from 2 mouths! In other words, the double edged sword is something that comes firstly from God to you; then it comes from you.  This is the Rhema word in motion.Hebrews 10:23 states-
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

The Greek word for profession is homologia that means to say the same things that God says. God speaks it to you and you say it back and it then is the Sword of the Spirit, or the Sword that the Spirit Wields.

This is a basic description of the armor of God that Paul described. There is one element that he did not mention and I am not trying to add to scripture. I share this for additional information. One item that was commonly used was the lance, or spear. You have doubtless seen pictures of them. Perhaps this was the weapon used when Jesus was on the cross?

The lance was a weapon that was used for distant combat. Whilst the sword was used in close, the spear could be used first by hand or thrown to strike a distant enemy.

We could liken the lance to prayer in the spirit. I do not want to discuss various kinds of prayer here, but there is praying and there is praying. Recited prayer is not praying in the spirit. Reciting the "Lord's Prayer" is not really praying. I am talking of praying in the spirit and there is much to look at in this area. Paul said that we can pray in the spirit and we can pray with the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15) so there is a difference.
If you look for a moment at Ephesians 6:17-19, Paul's words flowed into each other. Notice my emphasis. There is a colon between God and praying. Say that passage without pausing and you will see what I mean.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:17-18.

In closing, I want you to know and understand that it takes a special kind of person to wear this armor.

Goliath's armor weighed around 700 Kg or 1400 Lbs. He was trained from birth to be a warrior. When the Philistines attacked Israel, he was their champion, but David defeated him with one stone and without armor. To hit Goliath, David had to get past Goliath's armorbearer who was just as formidable a foe. IN addition, David chose five stones from the brook, not to be sure to hit him if he missed with the first stone, but to kill Goliath's four brothers!

The armor used to describe the Armor of God weighed in at around 80 Kg or 150-160 Lbs.

When I said that it takes a special kind of person to wear this armor, I was not referring to natural talents, abilities, strength or faculties, but someone with a trust and confidence in the living God who has already won the victory.
 

Wear it with honor.