Spiritual Armor Part 2

Ephesians 6: 14-17: “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…”

God equips believers to stand against Satan and his schemes. We already looked at the Belt of Truth, the Body Armor of Righteousness, and the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace. The remaining pieces of our armor are:

The Shield of Faith. Roman shields were designed to protect the entire side of Roman Legionary while he wielded a sword in the right hand. The shield was large and square, and designed so that when other Legionaries were fighting in a tight formation, the shields could interlock and form an impenetrable barrier, protecting the whole group. The Shield of Faith protects the believer in the same way as the Legionary. Our faith in Christ helps us defend against the enemy’s attacks. Dropping the shield exposes one to attack. Don’t drop the shield (as I have done, getting wounded in the process).  Also, when we are standing with other believers together in a community of faith, we are much like the Legionaries in the photo below, who have locked their shields together in an all around defensive formation called a Testudo.

Helmet of Salvation. The helmet protects the head from a fatal blow. Our assurance of salvation in Christ protects us from the attacks of the enemy, who may try to go right for the head. With the assurance of salvation, we have the ability to face into death itself.

Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Roman Legionaries wouldn’t just stand in place behind their shield and armor. When the enemy got close enough to strike, the Legionary was always waiting to strike a fatal blow of his own, with his short, swift sword. The believer’s sword and offensive weapon is God’s Word, the Scriptures. We use it to strike against Satan and his lies and attacks, just as Jesus used scripture against Satan in the wilderness.  As my pastor says, don't be a "Sword Collector;" use and understand the Word of God.