Scripture

Reflection

We are told we are in a battle against evil spiritual powers and that God has given us armour and weapons with which to fight. The passage tells us that we should be strong in the Lord and to stand against the devil’s schemes, dark powers, and spiritual forces.

It tells us that this battle is for our hearts and minds, so that is where the battleground is. We are told to stand firm and to pray. This battle involves every Christian, so we don’t need to be afraid, but we should be confident because God gives us strength and prepares us for the spiritual battle. He warns us beforehand what to look out for, so the enemy won’t catch us out. He also tells us about six pieces of armour that will protect us in the battle.

So, what are the different parts? ....and what is their purpose?

The Belt of Truth is the thing we strap tightly around our middle to hold everything in place. This means it is important that we understand what is right and true, and are not led astray by believing false things about God, ourselves, other people, or our circumstances.

The Breastplate of Righteousness is to protect our heart. It reminds us that when God looks at us He sees that we are righteous because of what Jesus has done for us by dying in our place. It is vital that we know in the depths of our hearts that no matter what we have done, God loves and accepts us.

The Shoes of Readiness to take our feet to places where we can carry the Gospel of peace. This shows us that we need to be prepared to go where God wants us so we can tell others the Gospel.

The Shield of Faith protects us from the darts that the devil throws at us. These are accusations that the evil one brings against us. So we must use our faith to protect us by believing what Jesus has done for us.

The Helmet of Salvation protects our minds because we need to know that Jesus has saved us and there is nothing the devil can do to stop us from receiving our inheritance as children of God. This means that we should check our thoughts, so we won’t be led astray.

Finally, there is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. A soldier will use his sword to attack. We need to know God’s promises and His guidance found in the Bible. We can remind the forces of evil that they have been defeated because Jesus has risen from the dead and will reign over the spiritual realms for all eternity. We have confidence because we know we are on the winning side. Hallelujah!