Ephesians 6
The Armor of God
Two minutes before the day starts. Get ready for the fight before it finds you.
In Ephesians 6:10-18 Paul pictures a believer standing firm in God's armour: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, all worn with prayer.
The passage: Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of 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. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
Each piece, and what it means today
Belt of truth
In practice
Today I'll be honest: with God, with others and with myself.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Breastplate of righteousness
In practice
I'm right with God because of Jesus. I don't have to earn it today.
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
Shoes of the gospel of peace
In practice
I'll bring peace into every room I walk into, not stress.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Shield of faith
In practice
When a lie comes at me today, I'll answer it with what God says.
Because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.
Helmet of salvation
In practice
My mind belongs to Him. I'll guard what goes into it.
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Sword of the Spirit
In practice
I'm taking God's Word into the day.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
A prayer to put it on
Lord, I can't stand on my own today. Go ahead of me into work, into home, into wherever I'm going. Guard what I look at, what I say and how I treat people. When the pull comes, remind me of Your Word and make me quick to turn to You. Amen.
Also spelled armour of God. The six pictures come from a Roman soldier's kit; the strength behind them is God's.