Feeling Defeated? Put on Your Armor!

I love to study different words and phrases that are in the Bible. Delving into their meaning can bring to light a rich revelation of new ways that I can apply God’s Word in my life. I thought I’d share a few nuggets that I gleaned from studying Ephesians 6. This is not a summary of the entire chapter. It is a capsule of points of enlightenment about the verses that describe the armor of God (Ephesians 6:12-18).

Ephesians 6 - Armor of God

It’s Not Our Armor

The armor we are encouraged to put on is not our own, it’s God’s. When David decided to face Goliath, King Saul wanted David to put on his royal armor for protection against the powerful enemy. But David told Saul that he’d prefer not to put on the king’s armor. It was unfamiliar and uncomfortable. David had no confidence in that armor. But, he was accustomed to God’s protection. God had protected him when he fought against a bear and a lion as he watched his father’s flocks. As he talked with Saul, he recalled how God had come through for him so many times. David had confidence in God.  He chose to trust God as he went out into the field to battle the giant.  David was refusing man’s mode of protection– he didn’t want to fight in his own strength.  Instead he put on God’s armor by his faith in God’s love for him and his confidence that God was willing to protect him  (1 Samuel 17:23-46).

” We must all be aware that our defeats have mainly come from one of two errors– the one being that of fighting in our own strength and the other being that of leaving unused our God-given power.”  

Alexander MacLaren

Putting on the Whole Armor

Putting on God’s armor means having an attitude of dependence on Him. This provides a higher level of confidence in His power. It makes it easier to have an expectation of the fulfillment of His promises. As we draw closer to Him and commune with Him, we rest and receive His power. It’s all about receiving Him. It’s all about receiving His love.

Hear Jesus encouraging us, “Be of good cheer, I have already overcome the world [the troubles that we face].” If He has already overcome whatever we are facing,  why would we try to defeat an enemy who has already been defeated? If He has already finished doing everything it takes for us be more than conquerors, why would we try to complete a work that’s already been completed? He wants us to rest in His victory.

Jesus accomplished the vanquishing of every foe on our behalf (Colossians 2:15). He stripped them and disarmed them, publicly shamed them, and triumphed over them on the cross and through His resurrection. That’s why we can now stand as more than a conqueror– He did all the work in order to let us enjoy the spoils of His victory.

Would it make sense for a soldier to only wear one piece of armor and then expect to enjoy complete protection? No! A soldier can expect complete protection only when wearing the whole/complete armor provided. It is likewise with God. We’re instructed to put on the whole armor of God in its entirety so that we can experience all the blessings He has planned.

  • Put on the helmet that your salvation provides so that your mindset is one of belief in God’s love for you.
  • Put on the breastplate that your righteousness in Christ provides so that your emotions will reflect the knowledge that you have been made “right,” in God’s eyes.
  • Put on  the belt that the Truth provides so that God’s armor is securely fitted on you and you can believe that His Truth is protecting you at all times.
  • Put on the shoes that the peace of God provides through the promises of God, equipping you to stand your ground erectly and to move forward.
  • Pick up the shield that faith provides. Faith believes and speaks the Word of God in order to quench the devil’s fiery tactics. Faith enables you to take hold of God’s strength, so that you can rest from trusting in and using your own strength.
  • Pick up the sword that the Spirit provides so that you can make preemptive strikes and enforce the victory Jesus has given you by telling the enemy what God says about your situation.
  • Pray consistently so that your attention is directed toward the One who is able and willing to dissipate and dispel any fear caused by the enemy.

Photo courtesy of Sattva | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

7 thoughts on “Feeling Defeated? Put on Your Armor!

  1. I love this word! Back in the days of Sunday School I was taught the “Armor of God” but never really knew it or understood it. However in the last couple of years I have finally had that revelation of what is to put on the whole armor. Thank you for this post as it served a great reminder to me today. xo

    1. Elisha, I was talking to a friend about that very thing this morning-– needing to remind ourselves of what we know to be truth.

      Any nuggets you care to share about your revelation on the armor of God?

  2. wohooooo💕💕💕💕💕💕i love it! thank you so much, evangeline! for spelling it out for me☺️ it is so fantastic to really let it sink in what we have in God and what he has equipped us with! and that it’s real and it’s the truth, as really i am at war at times, i must say, just lately the devil attacked me so hard with numbers … you are too old with 44, why should it work now … your period is too short, always punctual but no use as its only 22-23 days long, so how can it work … go to doctors, take hormons….. always numbers everywhere in my head …. oh my head was spinning and really in the mornings i was dizzy, like falling deep and deeper, i had to grip onto sth not to fall. and the fear of what if? what if i do have to suffer this shame? and then i read your post and i go, yeah that’s it … there is only this one answer to everything i am fighting: put on my armour of God. And SPEAK IT. and STAND. 💗💗💗💗🌹🌹🌹🌹ty, God bless you richly!

  3. You’re welcome Bolivia. I’m glad you found this post at just the right time. That’s another sign that God loves you and wants you to stand still in Him and watch Him work it out! 🙂

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