by The Armor of God is a powerful metaphor found in the Christian Bible, specifically in the book of Ephesians, Chapter 6, Verses 10-18. But what are the 7 pieces of armor of God? This article will explain everything you need to know.
The verses in Ephesians show the importance of putting on spiritual armor to protect oneself from the spiritual battles that Christians face in their daily lives. This armor is described as a way to stand firm against the devil’s schemes.
Let’s explore the seven pieces of the armor of God in more detail.
What Are the 7 Pieces of Armor of God?
The apostle Paul, who wrote the book of Ephesians, uses the metaphor of a Roman soldier’s armor to represent the spiritual armor Christians should wear.
He mentions several pieces of this spiritual armor that are essential for believers to wear to protect themselves in their spiritual journey.
Hence, what are the 7 pieces of armor of God? The seven pieces of armor of God are:
- The Belt of Truth
- The Breastplate of Righteousness
- The Gospel of Peace Footwear
- The Shield of Faith
- The Helmet of Salvation
- The Sword of the Spirit
- Prayer
Explanation of the 7 Pieces of Armor of God
The Belt of Truth
The belt was an important part of a Roman soldier’s armor. The belt was made of metal and leather and held the sword and all the other pieces together.
Similarly, the belt of truth is vital for a Christian’s spiritual armor. It signifies the importance of living a life of honesty, integrity, and adherence to God’s truth. It involves seeking and living in God’s truth and acting according to God’s Word.
Ultimate truth is found in God’s Word and in Jesus Christ itself (John 14:6).
The Breastplate of Righteousness
The breastplate protected a soldier’s vital organs in battle. In a spiritual sense, the breastplate of righteousness guards Christians against the attacks of the enemy by protecting their hearts from impurity.
It represents living a life of righteousness, having the right relationship with God, and actively seeking holiness in your thoughts, words, and actions. In real life, God’s righteousness is the only one you have, and it will never fail you.
The Gospel of Peace Footwear
The shoes of a Roman soldier, called caligae, provided stability and protection during combat. Soldiers were able to walk long distances. Similarly, as Christians walk through life, they need to wear shoes that offer stability, peace, and readiness to share God’s news.
Believers have a firm foundation in the Gospel. As believers, you are peaceful, knowing that Jesus is protecting you.
The Shield of Faith
A Roman soldier’s shield, called the scutum, was designed to protect him from the arrows that the enemy launched. The shield was made from wood, canvas, metal, and leather.
The shield of faith is an important aspect of a Christian’s armor, symbolizing trust and confidence in God. Despite the problems and challenges you face, you must believe in God.
Faith is a protective barrier, defending us from fear, doubt, and temptation that the enemy sends our way.
The Helmet of Salvation
The soldier’s head is one of the most sensitive parts. Without the helmet, the head might be blown by the wind.
Thus, the helmet protects a soldier’s head, protecting the thoughts and the mind. Moreover, the helmet of salvation protects the believer’s mind and reminds them of their identity and God’s security. The helmet represents salvation and protection against doubts, negative thoughts, and lies. You can not win without salvation.
The Sword of the Spirit
A Roman soldier’s sword, called gladius, was a weapon used for both offense and defense. The gladius was a deadly weapon.
The sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, is very important in the spiritual armor of a Christian. It represents the power of God’s Word, the Bible, which is a vital tool for spiritual battle. Scripture helps believers recognize the truth, fight off spiritual attacks, and overcome the lies and temptations of the enemy.
Prayer
Although prayer is not a physical type of armor, prayer is highlighted at the end of the passage as an essential part of the spiritual battle. Prayer connects believers to the power of God, seeking his help, guidance, and protection. Christians gain strength and wisdom through prayers. Praying helps overcome problems.
The one who won the battle is with you. Only fighting in his power will make you a winner.
How to Use the 7 Pieces of Armor of God
1. The Belt of Truth
Start and end your day in the Word
The way you start your day is important to face the daily battles. Wake up 10 minutes earlier than the rest to start your day with the Word. It is essential to be involved in the Scripture without distraction.
Do the same at night, before you go to sleep. Dedicate some time to study the Scripture.
Read and repeat the verses that regard your concerns
The Bible is your life guide. Thus, finding the verses that regard your concerns will help you survive your battles. Just memorize and repeat the words whenever you need them.
2. The Breastplate of Righteousness
Find the activities in your life that make you stronger
This is a simple but very efficient task.
Find the activities in your life that make you weak
Once you identify the activities that make you weak, avoid them.
3. The Gospel of Peace
Preach the Gospel to yourself every day
Remind yourself that you trust in God and have hope. Do not wait until you find yourself struggling to remember God. Only by placing your trust in God daily will you overcome problems.
Be an example for others
Remember that the way you live is an example for others. So, telling people how Jesus changed your life is the easiest way to share the Gospel of Peace.
4. The Shield of Faith
Remember God’s goodness
When bad things impact your heart, remember the promises of God:
- He will never forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).
- He will meet all your needs (Phil 4:19).
- Call on Him, and He will answer (Psalm 50:10).
- He will make your path straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The shield is strongest when connected to another
Connect to other believers to strengthen your faith. Remember that in the past, the strongest bonds were made in church.
5. The Helmet of Salvation
Believe in your salvation
Remind yourself of the sacrifice of God. There are times in life when you will feel miserable. Only your salvation will help you overcome difficult times.
6. The Sword of the Spirit
Arm yourself
Study the Scripture whenever possible.
Reply to enemies with the Word of God
You should reply to your enemies the same as Christ attacked Satan using the words of the Scripture. You can learn more about how to deal with an evil person biblically.
Read the Bible when you are sad
Even if you are a firm believer, you will have days when you barely survive. On these days, you should pray and read the Bible.
7. Prayer
Pray every morning, during the day, and at night
Praying every morning is important. Pray to God to give you wisdom and discipline to make the right decisions.
Whenever you feel like praying, stop doing what you do, and pray. This will make you feel calm.
Honoring God before going to sleep and thanking him for everything is beautiful.
What Does It Mean Putting the Armor of God?
Putting on the armor of God is a metaphorical concept derived from a biblical passage in the New Testament (Ephesians 6:11-18). It means taking spiritual tools and attributes from God to go into spiritual battle and overcome challenges in life.
You need to put on the armor of God because you battle against the spiritual forces of evil. The armor is a means to protect yourself from temptations you find in the world. You can also learn about why God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers.
By putting on these spiritual tools, you gain strength, faith, and resilience to face life’s trials and stand firm in your beliefs and values. To navigate life successfully, one must rely on God’s truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Bible.
FAQs
What is the most important part of the piece of armor of God?
In the Ephesians 6, you will read about the entire armor of God. The most important part is the Shield of Faith. You can not please God without faith. That is why this piece of armor is the most important.
How often do you put on the armor of God?
Due to the stress, challenges, and pain you face every day, you should put on the armor of God daily.
Conclusion
The armor of God described in the book of Ephesians is a powerful metaphor that encourages Christians to spiritually equip themselves for their battles.
What are the 7 pieces of armor of God? The seven pieces of this armor – the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the Gospel, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and prayer, are essential for believers to stand firm against the enemy’s attacks.
By putting on this spiritual armor, Christians can feel God’s protection, overcome temptation, and walk in victory in their daily lives.
