God desires that we grow in intimacy with Him, gaining wisdom and insight into His character. He wants our lives to be filled with His light so that we can understand the hope to which He has called us. God also desires us to grasp the incredible greatness of His power, the Resurrection Power now at work within us. Even when our prayers aren’t answered as we expect, this power remains unchanged. Despite the tribulation, disappointment, anger, and loss we face, we are called to stand firm and reclaim lost ground in a spiritual battle. It may feel at times that God is absent, but in these moments, we trust in His character. He promises to be with us, for us, and to live in us through His power and glory.
Matthew 16:15-18 reminds us of the foundation of our faith: Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God. In this passage, Jesus speaks of the church being built on the solid rock of this truth, with the gates of hell unable to overcome it. Jesus is empowering His followers to aggressively expand God’s Kingdom, pushing back the forces of darkness. We are not to fear, because the One who is within us is infinitely greater than the one who is in the world.
Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians underscores the reality of the spiritual battle we face. In Ephesians 6:10-12, he reminds believers to be strong in the Lord and His mighty power, for we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. The enemy’s strategies aim to destabilize and demoralize us, but God has equipped us with His armor to withstand these attacks.
Ephesians 6:13-18 details the full armor of God:
- Belt of Truth – Truth holds everything together. Jesus Christ is the Truth that provides the foundation for our faith, and Satan’s lies cannot stand against the truth of who God is and His promises. Jesus is the Truth.
- Breastplate of Righteousness – The righteousness of Jesus Christ protects us. This righteousness is not our own but is given to us by God, transforming our lives to reflect Christ. Jesus is our righteousness.
- Shoes of Peace – The Gospel brings peace, and we are called to be messengers of that peace. Our stability comes from knowing that our salvation is secure, not because of our efforts, but because of Christ’s completed work. Jesus is the Gospel.
- Shield of Faith – Faith in Christ is our shield. It is His faithfulness that protects us from the enemy’s fiery arrows. Our faith is rooted in Jesus’ trust in the Father, not in our own abilities. Jesus is our shield. Galatians 2:20 (KJV) “…the life we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God…”
- Helmet of Salvation – Jesus Christ is our salvation, and His work in us transforms our thinking. We are given a new nature, and our minds need to be continually renewed to align with God’s will.
- Sword of the Spirit – The Word of God is our weapon in spiritual battle. This living, active Word, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is used to cut through deception and lies. Jesus Christ, the Living Word is, Himself, your sword for the fight. His is the authority that you wield, because in His Name you cause the enemy to flee.
- Prayer – Prayer is the foundation of our spiritual strength. Ephesians 6:18 encourages us to pray persistently, staying alert and supporting fellow believers.
The Armor of God: Jesus Christ
The armor described in Ephesians 6 is ultimately Jesus Christ Himself. He is our Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Faith, Salvation, and the Word of God. Our role in spiritual warfare is not to rely on our own strength, but to rely on Jesus, who has already overcome the world. As we put on the full armor of God, we are putting on Christ Himself. He has equipped us with everything we need to stand firm in the battle. We are soldiers who never take off our armor. God has clothed us. “Putting on…” is the function of daily remembering what God has already done so we walk in His authority and strength.
Living in the Battle
We are born into a world at war, and retreating is not an option. The truth is that Jesus Christ, the armor of God, has fully clothed us in His strength. We are never without protection, and we are never alone in the battle. By daily reminding ourselves of who Christ is and what He has done for us, we can stand firm against the enemy’s attacks.
Our spiritual armor is not passive; it is an active defense and offense. It equips us to resist the enemy’s lies, stand firm in the face of trials, and advance the Kingdom of God. In times of spiritual warfare, we remember that Jesus is our shield, our strength, and our victory. Through Him, we are more than conquerors.
Encouragement
As we face the challenges of life, we are reminded that the battle is not ours alone. Jesus Christ has already won the victory, and He is with us every step of the way. We are clothed in His armor, and through Him, we can stand strong and move forward in the power of His resurrection. Daily being reminded of WHO the armor of God is and WHAT He has done in us to clothe us so completely will go far in helping us remember that God is the One Who makes us more than conquerors because He loves us.
I hope this encourages you.
