The Armour of God

Introduction

We need every part of the armour. If any part is missing we are vulnerable to attack. A soldier on the front line is never off duty. We are urged to apply it all to ourselves for protection against the enemy. We are not strong in ourselves, but in Him, in the provision He has made for us. The enemy is totally committed to finding a chink in our armour to inflict damage on us and take us out of the battle. This is especially true if we are seeking to obey the Lord and serve him in some way that threatens the enemy’s work/strongholds. 

James 4 v7; 1 Peter 5 v8- show that if we SUBMIT ourselves to God, we are in a position to RESIST the devil, and he will FLEE away from us, just as when Jesus resisted him!

The armour of God can seem strange to us, chafing/uncomfortable, but the more we get used to wearing it the more comfortable it will become (just like a new pair of shoes). We need to apply ourselves to getting used to every aspect of it. If we get injured, attacked,  or driven back , we need to turn to the Lord straight away, rather than trying to sort it out ourselves.

The majority of the armour is DEFENSIVE, offering all-over protection for the soldier (except for the back, as retreat not an option). This was because the Roman soldier’s main job was to defend territory ALREADY WON. Jesus has won a decisive victory for us, and we are called to REMAIN in that.

1. The Belt of Truth

The belt kept other items of clothing out of the way so the Roman soldier did not trip up; it also held the sword. It is all about having  integrity, wholesome character.

Isaiah 11 v5 “righteousness will be the belt about his loins, and faithfulness the belt about his waist”. It is God’s word, applied to our lives (cf also John 8 v32-6, “if you continue in my truth it will set you free”.

There are many examples of famous people who have looked good on the outside but who have flawed characters, leading to revelation, disillusionment and disappointment, and achievements lost. In religious terms it is hypocrisy, the Pharisees who had high performance (knowledge, prayers, giving, fasting etc) but no inward reality. The way to avoid this is aiming to have the inner life measuring up to the outer. It is not being perfect, but it is openness, vulnerability, admitting where there is lack, confessing sin, not pretending to be something you are not. Then the word of God can challenge, change, re-align in God’s will. Cf Sermon on the Mount- Beatitudes and contrast of false and true spirituality. This attracts the presence of God and keeps the enemy out. As we let God’s word be applied to our hearts we are protected against deception from the enemy, but we have to continue to walk in truth (Jn 8 v31), there is no automatic immunity. And it means being open to correction from others too.

The importance of this is seen in Paul’s list of requirements for leadership, with more emphasis on character than gifts. Also Paul’s warnings about the last days, people with lots of impressive knowledge, but if it is not applied it leads people into error because it is the wrong mix.

2. The breastplate of righteousness

For the Roman soldier the breastplate covered the torso, where the vital organs are found. In spiritual terms, it is protection for the heart, the seat of emotions and the will (Proverbs 4 v23). Satan aims to draw us away from God, undermining our desire for God, and therefore not doing his will. 1 John 2 v16- “all that’s in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life” (the apple in Genesis). Or just maybe Rev 2 v4. 

Righteousness gives us boldness to enter God’s presence, to ask him for things (1 John 3 v21). It gives us peace, (Rom 5 v1) that our past is forgiven, so we can reject the accusation of the evil one. It takes away the fear of dying. It makes us as bold as lions (Prov 28 v1)- vital for those engaged in any form of outreach.

Where does righteousness come from?  For the Pharisees it was their law-keeping (see Phil 3 v6… but then v9!)

Isaiah 64 v6- (our [self-made]righteous acts are as filthy rags). 

But also cf 1 Thess 5 v8, the breastplate of faith and love. It is not passive, but is expressed in trust towards God and action (cf the message of James’ epistle; Eph 5 v9). Doing the will of God, co-operating with the Holy Spirit, is an antidote to the temptations of the enemy. When we are relaxing we are at our most vulnerable (David and Bathsheba).

3. The Helmet of Salvation

The helmet protects the head, the centre of thinking, reasoning, calculating; the brain is the organ which controls the rest of the body. Cf 1 Thess 5 v18- the HOPE of SALVATION. Hope can be defined as “ a positive outlook towards the future which is based on the goodness of God”.

The enemy’s tactic is to demoralise us, through negative thoughts. (e.g. Nehemiah 4). A hopeless person has no strength for the fight. (Cf Brendan Rodgers in “Being Liverpool”, or Henry V before the battle of Agincourt). A confidence that God will intervene to protect me (e.g. Romans 8 v28- we know…). Protection for the mind. Hope is an antidote for worry, fear, despair, which can lead to depression. Some people are naturally more prone to hope (“glass half full”).  It is one of the trinity of what marks out a believer (1 Cor 13 v13, 1 Thess 1 v3), so it must be possible for all to exercise it. Hope brings stability to life in the middle of difficulties (Heb 6 v19). It enables you to keep going even when outward circumstances are hard and unyielding. We can put up with short-term pain for long-term gain. (e.g. Hensons’ building work, going to the dentist, or the resilience of slaves in West Indies (negro spiritual songs). Examples of hope: Ps 27 v13, Phil 1 v19,20; 1 v6; 2 Cor 4 v16,17. What is the hope of a Christian?- That God is always with me, wants the best for me, and sooner or later will come through for me, but I may have to wait! (David willing to wait for Saul to be removed). That one day we shall see a breakthrough (e.g. at the Triangle).

How do we get it? 1. Through regular exposure to God’s word. 2. Through encouragement from other people (1 Thess 5 v11). 3. Through life’s positive experiences (Romans 5; psalmists): but it is not the experiences themselves, rather the way we react to them. 2 people see the same things as either a threat or an opportunity. 

4. The preparation of the shoes of the Gospel of peace

To enable the soldier to stand firm, sure-footed. Emphasis on standing firm, not able to be moved.  Footwear.  When standing up you reach greatest height, trying to get advantage over your enemy. It implies using everything at our disposal. For the Roman soldier footwear was essential- stout thick-soled shoes with spikes, to avoid injury on the battle-field, and give good grip. Also to make him mobile enough to move to other areas. Feet very sensitive, easily distract us, put us off fighting if injured.

e.g. Gal 5 v1- stand firm in your freedom. We have to refuse to be moved away from Gospel truth. Most of the epistles were written to warn early believers to reject false teaching- usually either legalism or permissiveness. (Importance of courses like “Freedom in Christ”, which remind us of who we are in Christ).  We stand because of the grace of God, not efforts of our own (Colossians 1 v6- “the day you heard (the word) and understood the grace of God in truth”). We need heart revelation of what God has done for us.

Colossians 1 v23 “IF indeed you continue in the faith”… 2 v8 “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him”… v8 “See to it no-one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception”.   We take nothing for granted, we need to refuse to be moved away from the truth.

5. The Shield of Faith

The rectangular shield of the Roman soldier, wooden, but covered with leather, which protected the whole body (soldiers standing together with shields interlocked could make an impenetrable formation). Protects the whole person from the fiery darts- the things the enemy throws at us, e.g. doubts, criticism, taunts, accusations, temptations... ALL of them! We receive faith as a gift from God (Eph 2 v8), but we are responsible for using it, and adding to it. We do the latter by hearing from God, putting ourselves in places where God can speak to us, reading the word, engaging in fellowship etc.. We learn to discern the voice of God and the voice of the enemy… and they both use human agencies, even other believers! We don’t try to argue or reason, we simply lift the shield to parry the darts. Not just hearing God’s word, but persevering in it, and obeying it. (cf Hebrews 11).

It is our faith that overcomes the world (1 Jn 5 v4). Faith is our confidence and assurance in Jesus, his person, death and resurrection, and place at the right hand of God, representing us. It is absolute trust in the promises of God, and “does not lean to its own understanding” (Proverbs 3 v5). We are called to use it, to exercise it at all times. It is what kept the psalmist going (Psalm 3 v3).

Simple faith is what is needed, not complicated.

6. The Sword of the Spirit

Having parried with the shield, the soldier replies with a thrust from the sword. Jesus was frequently attacked by temptation, and he always countered with God’s word. He did not overcome as Almighty God, he used the word he had stored up inside him. There are no short-cuts. God’s word is equally available to all of us, with the promise of the Holy Spirit to inspire us (1 John 2 v14). It is not a question of arguments or negotiation or superior wisdom or loud voice or lots of people; all it takes to resist the devil is the appropriate part of God’s truth. It is also not lists of Bible verses, it is the response appropriate to the attack, so it is God’s word under the leading of the Holy Spirit. It can only be done as we are submitted to God (James 4 v7- “submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will FLEE from you”. And it says “the devil left him” (Matthew), and “when the devil had finished every temptation he left him until an opportune time” (Luke).

We must grow in all aspects of God’s word if we are to be thoroughly equipped (i.e. through reading, studying AND meditating). The Holy Spirit will only usually bring to mind what we have taken in. The word of God utterly pushes back the enemy, because it carries the authority of the one who spoke it.

7. All kinds of prayer

Possibly the only offensive weapon (corresponding to the spears the Roman soldiers launched). Christian prayer is TO the Father, THROUGH the Son, BY the Holy Spirit. We are not called to seek out the enemy in order to take him on, but we ARE called to pray for each other in general, and in particular for those who are leading work which threatens the enemy’s strongholds in any way. We are also exhorted to pray for those in any kind of authority.

We are to use ALL kinds of prayer, i.e praise (declaring the person /qualities of God), worship (coming close to Him in intimacy), thanksgiving (acknowledging what God has done), confession/repentance (being open about our failings), petition  (making requests to God), and intercession (making requests on behalf of others).

We are to pray in the Spirit, ie. Relying on God to enable us to pray according to the will of God (Romans 8 v26), with His energy to persevere. This will include praying with the spirit (including the gift of tongues) and with the natural mind, when we use our natural language. 

Conclusion

The story of Nehemiah shows how when we engage in God’s will we are bound to attract enemy attack. Chapter 5 shows the need to work and fight simultaneously. While repairing the walls the Jews armed themselves, organized themselves, protected each other, but after that they simply stood firm and got on with the work. They never ceased keeping watch, in an attitude of vigilance, even during meal times or shower breaks.

Where Nehemiah said “Don’t be afraid”, Paul said “Be strong”. Then from both of them comes the call to get armed. Paul’s exhortation is to put on all the armour of God, then stand firm and not be moved. Then the man/woman of God is to pray, then be on the alert. There is no great military strategy, trying to take on the enemy with superior planning. Paul, just like Nehemiah, has seen that the battle is God’s, not ours. We just stand our ground, and we win!

The real fight has already taken place, at Golgotha, which was near to the very walls Nehemiah was rebuilding. God has already fought the battle and won.

So we are exhorted to stand firm, with all the armour on, and we shall win. Stand your ground and you win. Look out and you win. Keep alert and you win. Listen and be ready to cover your brother and sister’s backs and you win.

 Are you aware of the true situation? Look down where you are standing. Not at the terrain, but at your own feet. They are shod with good news and peace. Look at every part of yourself; God has provided you with everything necessary. But you don’t need to struggle, you just stand your ground.

It takes a long time to realise that there is a lot to do, but the real work is focussed on bringing requests to God, taking the sword of the Spirit out of the belt of truth, trusting in Jesus’ righteousness, not our own. But the actual battle has already been won.

Take a look at yourself and see that through God’s work in you you are able to re-build a wall, look out for others, and defend them. If you look with the eyes of faith you will realise God enables you to be a warrior, one who can fight spiritual battles. Above all you need to see that it is God living in you, by His Spirit, that is your greatest asset, and that will enable you to stand your ground, and see your personal life, family, fellow believers, workplace enjoy God’s rich blessing.

So stand fast, stay put, stand still, dig your heels in, don’t be moved!