Any soldier needs to be protected from any sword thrown during the battlefield. The soldier must be equipped to know what weapon to attack with and in what type of case. Just like a blind cannot lead a blind, neither can a soldier that’s not fully armed for war win the battle. The next verse talks about wearing the spiritual armor when praying.
Smartest Useful Weapon For Prayer Explained
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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
1. The belt of truth
Truth comes from following Christ from wherever the wind blows. Scripture says “The truth shall set you free.” The truth isn’t just about not lying, but also about not falling into them. There is no such thing as white lie. A lie is a lie and that’s that. The truth will always be written in the scripture and eventually be expossed. Those who get discipled and live according to God’s will, will walk in the truth of light. For this to function, you need to activate the fruits of the spirit which are: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
To stand with truth means you must learn and be willing to follow the ways of the Lord. Imagine there’s a belt holding together your personal commitment to truth in living a life that is upright, transparent, and without deceit. Integrity and honesty are crucial to your daily life. People should know that they can depend on you to be a person of truth and principles which are taught directly from God’s word.
Read: 4 Basic & Ideal Facts About Following Christ
2. Breastplate of Righteousness
The breastplate of righteousness protects you against all of Satan’s accusations and daily lies. This righteousness is not made up of the good things you may do. The Bible is clear that none of us are righteous in ourselves (Romans 3:10).
It is entirely the righteousness of Jesus which He willingly shares with you once you invite Him into your life. Accepting Him doesn’t mean salvation. It’s only the introduction of this term. It is Christ’s righteousness that covers and protects you. (Philippians 3:9)
Not to mention Satan tries to deceit and undermine your self-worth and question your place with God. But when you listen, you’ll hear your Heavenly Father remind you of His unconditional love and your position in Christ.
3. Fitted Feet
Soldiers marching into battle must have comfortable shoes; otherwise, they’ll trip and fall. As soldier of Christ, you must put on “scripture shoes” that take steps of daily faith. This will allow you to march wherever our Lord leads you. Satan will try to place obstacles in your path to trip and lack faith, but in Jesus ‘strength you can walk forward, following our Lord, obeying Him, and grow spiritually in His word and ways.
The enemy wants to keep God’s people hidden. So, he tries to plant seeds of doubt in you about topics such as: how well we speak, or if anyone will listen. But when you pray, God will provide the strength and boldness you need to give your testimony and to praise Him publicly without worry nor shame.
Read: 4 Basic & Ideal Facts About Following Christ
4. Shield of Faith
Satan’s plan to diminish your faith may include pressing on to sad or painful memories. Your personal weaknesses can leave you open to temptations, discouragement or wrong behavior. But when you admit your need for His help, God will open His gates to help you through those trials. Always remember that God will never give you more than what you can handle.
When Satan attacks with doubts, the shield of faith will be attack to be torn down. When temptations come, faith keeps you steadfast in following Jesus. You are then able to withstand all of Satan’s dirty and deceitful darts, because you know whom you have believed in (2 Timothy 3:12).
This faith is not something that comes from within us. It is God’s gift to us. He has given you a measure of faith as small as a mustard seed. Then as you walk with Him, that faith grows and develops until it becomes a shield, protecting and allowing you to live a victorious life in Christ.
This was Paul’s experience. He said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). And at the end of that life of faith, he declared, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). That can be your experience as well, as you use the shield of faith to turn aside everything Satan wants to throw at you.
5. Helmet of Salvation
The struggle with Satan often starts in your thought of life. Any worldly ideas, anxieties or fears you may be holding onto can be amplified and used against you. But if you call on Him, God will renew you so that your eyes and mind will stay focused on Him throughout day and night.
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The helmet protects the head, which is probably the most crucial part of the body since it is the seat of thought and related to the soul. When you have a sure knowledge of your salvation, you will not be moved by Satan’s deceptions. He’ll try to remove your faith and mostly your decision to pray. Once you’re certain that you’re living in His ways and not your own, you’ll obtain a peace that nothing can disturb; a peace that overpasses all understanding. This is due to the faith you have; the trust you have in Christ, because in the end, faith is all about trust.
6. Sword of the Spirit
Satan will always try to freeze and remove the power you have through Christ. He aims to confuse, intimidate or scare you, hoping you’ll forget God’s Word and simply not care. However, as long as you seek Him, God will fill you up with the confidence to declare Scripture and claim His promises for your life.
The sword of the spirit is the only weapon of offense listed in the armor of God. All the other parts are defensive in nature. God’s Word is the Bible; which is described as “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12).
Jesus used this weapon when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. While Satan tried to tempt him to lead Him into sin, Jesus replied, “it is written. . . “ and proceeded to quote Scripture to destroy Satan’s temptations. Unfortunately, Satan knows each word in the bible and will always try to twist it in order to deceit us.
God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). That is why it is so powerful. Whis is why it is so important that we study the Bible and become familiar with its truths and its power. David wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). The sword of God’s Word both protects us and destroys your enemy; Satan and his daily temptations. Fact is: Praying using the word of God has power which fills Satan with wrath. Scripture removes all power that Satan may have; leaving him completely powerless.
Also Read: Revealing 7 Praying Styles
7. Prayer
Although prayer is not one of the pieces of the whole armor of God, yet Paul closes his list by saying, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18). Even when you are clothed with the armor of God, you need to bathe it all in prayer. Prayer brings you into communion and fellowship with God so that His armor can protect you.
How to apply this weapon
How do you put on the whole armor of God?
It isn’t as difficult as it may sound. All the pieces of the armor are found in a relationship with Jesus. When you give yourself to Jesus and wear it through prayer and faith, you are then clothed in the whole armor of God.
Do you sometimes feel weak? Do you find yourself giving in to temptation when you really want to overcome it? Are you ever discouraged? We all face these moments. But clothed in the whole armor God, the weakest of His children is more than a match for Satan. In Jesus, clothed in God’s invincible armor, you will “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” You will then be able to stand against the darts Satan throws at you and your loved one. (Ephesians 6:10, 11).
Wow!
Prayer is a daily activity that we need to do consistently and of these 7 weapons, I believe the shield of faith is the most important one. Without faith, we will always be in doubt or will just believe that we can do everything and not ask for help from God.
I know that prayer is our way of communicating with our Creator, who knows everything about us and who knows what’s best for us.
Let’s all continue to pray constantly and unceasingly.
Marita
I think the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation are so important. Like you said, without faith, how can we have trust in God? The spirit of doubt will always be there and without faith, where is the salvation?
I don’t think the helmet of salvation can be applied without the shield of faith.
As you also mentioned, “prayer is our way of communicating with our Creator” and praying is the only way we can have that communion with him.