What Is The Armor of God For?

When we think of a military force, we see tanks, fighter bombers (whatever they are called now), and sophistocated guns, rifles, etc.. We see bodies marching instep, in uniformed order, trained, for battle. Supporting military with food, advanced communication skills, and highly educated Commanders, Generals, and Majors calling the shots of war. Guided by the elected leader of the people, a president or king, deciding when war is declared and when war ends. They are the brains behind war.

Now, picture GOD'S ARMY. Can you PICTURE Christians marching like a trained military war going into battle? Christian's ONLY envision God as defending good. What weapons can you see Christians going into a war between GOOD and EVIL? You CAN'T even IMAGINE such a war occuring. 

The Bible tells us we are to LOVE everyone. So how are we going into a battle which SCRIPTURES says it's an INVISIBLE war, that is until the PROPHECY in the Book of Revelation, is activated. What weapons can a Christian have to FIGHT and with WHOM are we fighting?

Will tanks, high performing weapontry be needed and does the CHURCH have said weapons? All of this is a stretch for any non-Christian, let alone the Christian, to understand. But, throughout the Bible, God warns of the WAR between good and evil. Who to fight and how to fight this type of war is also throughout the Bible as well as the PLAN of the war, the WEAPONS you will need if you choose to fight on God's team, when the battle is to begin, and the outcome of said war.

We are pointed to the ARMOR OF GOD for his ARMY OF CHRISTIANS. Many Christians have HEARD about the Armor of God, but have they understood the POWER of this BATTLE dress for WAR. let's look a little closer.

Ephesians 6:10-18: 

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Belt of Truth: Fastened around the waist; represents integrity, sincerity, and aligning thoughts with God's word to reject lies. A very important part of your armor for war. Belts hold things up. Truth WILL uphold you. Truth helps HOLD UP  portions of the armor. You WIN with speaking TRUTH and putting that truth into ACTION. Knowing truth keeps your ARMOR intact. Vitally important to have on tightly BEFORE entering the battle field. It is a CLEAR OBJECTIVE OF WAR, God's truth, as revealed in the Bible. You can't JOIN the ARMY without TRUTH. Without the belt, you're not FULLY prepared to fight and defend yourself. It's a must. A little ole belt with an IMPORTANT job in war.

Breastplate of Righteousness: Protects the heart; represents Christ's righteousness and living a holy life to guard against doubt and guilt. You have to be ALL IN as a soldier in the war. Breastplates cover and protect the heart, our reasons for signing up to fight and following the direction of God. If you know you are on the SIDE of GOOD, your heart can have peace. You will know WHY you JOINED the war, the fight for man's eternal SOUL. The pain of knowing the destruction of those on the side of EVIL, also hurts, and knowing we are sharing BIBLICAL TRUTH, makes the sorrow of that knowledge hurt our heart's less. Your breastplate is vital to cover and protect from vital injury, or your heart for whatever reasons and solidifies that it is the only way to survive, war, knowing you are fighting for something you believe in 100%. God WILL SAVE YOU from mortal WOUNDS of VITAL organs, the ENEMY is AIMING for.

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: For the feet; represents readiness to share the "good news" and steadfastness in living out God's peace. I have come to find the shoes are part of God making your PATH clear, leading in His directions for war and READINESS to move as the war ESCULATES. Warriors are to be able to change locations and targets on a dime. Being ready and able to go to the front lines, or a temporay retreat. Be ready to GO, wherever God leads and directs in the heat of battle. Keep your shoes on during war.

Shield of Faith: Carried for defense; represents confident faith in Christ to extinguish the "flaming arrows" (doubts and trials) of the evil one. There will be times you DOUBT if there is a war at all? Many Christians doubt the ENTIRE Book of Revelation, So HOW will they know when the FINAL war begins. There are always wars, but Revelation says there will be a finale war where Jesus leads the Christian Army against the Army of Evil. People relegate beliving in a finale battle of good and evil where Jesus is triumphant written off as fairytales and indoctrination. Your sheild of FAITH, of believing in God BLINDLY, will protect you from the ammuninition employed against you, the Christian. God said use your faith in me and follow me. You MUST have faith to be in God's army against evil presenting itself as truth. Truth no longer exists, except in those following GOD. Part of the armor.

Helmet of Salvation: Protects the head; represents the assurance of salvation, lifting thoughts toward eternity and guarding the mind. You MUST make sure your HEAD and MIND are protected during war. The main thing you must protect from your ENEMY, is your SALVATION. This is WHAT it is all about, the armor of God. It's all about salvation and the Kingdom of God. Your head and mind must stay PROTECTED at all times. Do not PICK up a weapon and go into war without your head protected. VITAL!

And finally, Sword of the Spirit: The only offensive weapon; described as the Word of God (Scripture), used to discern truth and push back against spiritual deception. There you have it. Your BOOT CAMP is study, study, study, the Bible. In a world of lies you must be in the Bible daily. It CUTS the enemy, it attacks the attacker, it highlights truth. If you don't study the Bible, you are going into war without a WEAPON. Everyone is POWERLESS UNPROTECTED in an EVIL WORLD. Not studying God's Word and will, you are defenseless and OPEN without PROTECTION, from the enemies most EFFECTIVE weapon, LIES, chaos.

1 Peter 5:8: "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (ESV). Are you prepared or preparing for the war God said is being faught daily? Do you have your armor on if you are a Christian. It's listed out PLAINLY in The Bible? Study without ceasing. Know truth from lies and stand with Put on the FULL armor of God now and check it daily to prepared for the war against evil.