Where do I find in the bible ‘the armor of God’ and do I pray it on?
We find the ‘whole armor of God’ in Ephesians 6:10-18, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 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.”
At the conclusion of this epistle of great knowledge and responsibility, the Apostle Paul realized the need of the believer to be strong in the Lord. Paul spoke of the believer as a soldier in 2 Timothy 2:3, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Here, he addresses the need to be clothed as a soldier. The instruction to put on the “whole armor of God” shows the necessity of each part of the armor that must be worn at all times by the believer. This armor suggests the appearance of a Roman guard and would be understand by the readers in Ephesus. For each piece of the armor, Paul gives a spiritual application.
Having put on the whole armor of God, the believer is instructed to stand; to resist every attack, even as a soldier does in battle. It is the only way that we can get the victory and stand and withstand the “wiles of the devil.”
I think that to ‘put on’ this whole armor of God, we must consciously consider each part of the armor, its function and its necessity as a good soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ. We put on this armor by walking in the truth of its purpose.
* ”Loins girt about with truth.” This is literally our belt. It was used to hold the flowing robe of the soldier in place so that he might move about unencumbered. We should protect ourselves with the truth of God’s Word. Each day we need to be reading and studying, seeking the Lord, His will for our lives, and His individual instruction for us.
* ”The breastplate of righteousness.” These two are a reference from Isaiah 59:17, “For he put on righteousness as a breastplate…” We find in this armor that truth and righteousness guards and protects the heart of the believer.
* ”Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” The Christian soldier must be prepared with the gospel of peace to meet any attack from the enemy. The GOOD NEWS of salvation for all is what can defeat an enemy and cause him to be a ‘brother, or sister’ in Christ. We are instructed in 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and BE READY ALWAYS TO GIVE AN ANSWER TO EVERY MAN THAT ASKETH you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
* ”The shield of faith.” Even as a soldier holds forth his shield to defend himself, the soldier of Christ holds forth faith as the overcomer of doubt and fear. The shield can be moved all around to protect the soldier from all the fiery darts of the wicked ones. We apply faith wherever the enemy attacks. It is never profitable for the Christian soldier to rely upon his own abilities. It is only faith in the Lord that will protect and sustain us.
* ”The helmet of salvation.” The helmet is given to guard our minds against anything that would cause us to doubt our salvation. We must continually appropriate salvation as our own, everlasting possession. Romans 8:38-39 assures us, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
* ”The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The Word of God is also compared to a sword in Hebrews 4:12, “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.” This is our only piece of the armor that can be used to attack our enemy. We use the Word so that it might pierce the heart of the unbeliever, cause him to repent, and put his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
* ”Praying” and “Watching”. In our daily battle, prayer is so necessary for us. We need to stay in touch with our Lord. We need to live in reliance upon His guidance and strength. Remember, “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.” (427.6)