THE POWER OF PRAYER

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth,
words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
for which I am an ambassador in chains.
Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”
Ephesians 6:18-20

Prayer is one of the most vital parts of the believer’s armor and the second offensive weapon!  Prayer releases all your eternal resources, activates all the other pieces, keeps a steady line of communication with our commander, aligns us with God’s will and allows us to support each other effectively.   There is nothing more powerful than the prayers of God’s soldiers, so before we go to the battlefield, we must get on our knees. No matter how complete our armor, we can never give up on seeking help from God, who alone can give victory.

Joyce

THE CLOAK OF ZEAL

“For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head;
He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.”  
Isaiah 59:17

The Roman soldier’s cloak, not mentioned in Ephesians but found in Isaiah 59:17, was an important multi-purpose part of each soldier performing at his peak.  It provided warmth to defend against the cold and the natural oils used to make it nearly waterproof made it essential when it rained. In addition, the cloak provided makeshift bedding on long marches.

Believers as soldiers for Christ are unable to operate at peak unless fueled by zeal.  For believers, zeal is a burning desire to live according to God’s purpose and do His will.  It is what drives us, what we live for and what carries us through difficult circumstances, like cold, rain and long seasons.  True zeal means aligning our goals with God’s plans and carrying them out!

Joyce

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

“. . . and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  
Ephesians 6:17

The Roman soldier’s sword was his main means of attack, an offensive weapon.   It was a fearsome tool at close range in the hand of a skilled warrior. It’s dual edges could wreak havoc on unarmored enemies plus it’s tapered point could pierce the heaviest metal armor.

As believers, the word of God is our only defensive weapon - even if we are fully equipped, without the sword of the Spirit we are just heavily armored moving targets!  It is the only weapon we need since the Word coupled with the Spirit is able to cut straight to the core and uncover the truth, thus defeating any defense the enemy can raise and revealing our offending thoughts and actions.  God’s sword delivers us and gives the victory.

Joyce

THE HELMET OF SALVATION

“Take the helmet of salvation . . .”
Ephesians 6:17

The helmet or scullcap of the Roman soldier was made of iron covered with bronze and exposed little beside the eyes, nose and mouth.  It protected the head from attacks of the enemy such as the swing of a sword. The Romans realized that if the head was impaired the body was impaired.

The helmet of salvation also provides comprehensive coverage, protects our way of thinking and literally healing our minds.  Salvation or deliverance from eternal penalty of sin and deliverance into the kingdom of God, is an ongoing process and involves our thoughts and actions.   The helmet of salvation is a piece of equipment that should not be underestimated. It can protect our thoughts from attacks of the enemy and the temptation to disobey God.   Without it we are unprotected from worries and problems that bombard our thoughts and feelings. but with it secure, we have confidence of eternity in His kingdom. Joyce

THE SHIELD OF FAITH

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
Ephesians 6:18

The Roman shield, the scutum, was a very large curved rectangular with a large metal knob called a boss in the center.  It was an impressive line of defense and it’s size (3’x3.5’) gave the soldiers protection from enemies.  The slight curve made it useful to deflect attacks with flaming missiles and the boss could also deflect blows as well as knocking an enemy backwards.  Another use was to form a shell of protection by soldiers closing ranks and huddling together so those on the outside created a wall and the middle linked shields together overhead to protect everyone - it was known as the testudo or “tortoise” formation!

The shield of faith  is our first line of defense.  It guards our spiritual lives in the middle of trials, it deflects the fiery missiles of fear, doubt and worry plus it produces action which can give the enemy a good shove backwards!  Faith involves trust and is something we must take up and use or it doesn’t do us any good. Strengthening each other by exercising our faith, building each other up and serving together makes us an unstoppable force.

Joyce

THE SHOES OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE

“and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
Ephesians 6:15

The shoes or sandals of Roman soldiers were often fitted with nails or spikes to make them hold firm in the ground and to aid walking on rocks.  They didn’t want to deal with where to step in the middle of a battle. In addition, the weight of the whole armor would make their feet more sensitive without protection.

Shoes allow us to walk without fear on a dangerous journey, so we are  ready to move and spread the gospel to others wherever God calls us to go.  This footwear gives us a firm grip, stability, protection and strength in the good news about Jesus Christ and His plan of salvation and peace.  Peace is our guide and only the gospel gives true, forever peace. Shalom!!

Joyce

THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

“ . . . with the breastplate of righteousness in place”  
Ephesians 6:14

The breastplate was the central part of a Roman soldier’s armor.  It provided protection for torso where vital organs such as the heart and lungs are located.   The attack of their enemy became ineffective because the blows would just bounce off the armor.

The breastplate of righteousness guards our heart, the seat of life, and comes from God.  It is God’s righteousness that serves as our breastplate and defense against the enemy. Righteousness, just like the Roman soldier’s breastplate, thwarts fatal attacks of our enemy.  Wearing the breastplate of righteousness requires a conscious decision plus a lifetime of action, obedience and consistent resolve.

Joyce

THE BELT OF TRUTH

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist . . . “
Ephesians 6:14

The belt was an important part of the Roman soldier’s defensive armor.   Known as the cingulum or balteus, the belt held the scabbard providing a place for the sword, gave support to the core, secured the tunic and stabilized the other pieces.  In addition, strips of leather to protect the lower body hung from the belt. It played a crucial role in the effectiveness of the whole armor.

The belt of truth is a stabilizer for all the armor.  Truth strengthens the core of our lives giving support, balance, stability, resistance and stamina to a believer.  It is the spiritual muscle to carry out God’s call. Truth should encompass us like a belt to protect us against the enemy’s lies and is key to withstanding attacks.  Truth is a vital and powerful tool because, like a Roman soldier's belt, it allows us to carry the sword of the Spirit and use it effectively.

Joyce

THE WHOLE ARMOR

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesian 6:10-13

Paul lived with Roman soldiers for 2 years, saw their armor daily and learned about each piece - its purpose and importance.  They were mostly defensive weapons. He realized that just as a Roman soldiers’ armor was required to fight battles, each piece had a powerful correlation with a Christians’ spiritual defenses.  Paul arranged the individual pieces of the whole armor in the same order a soldier put them on to prepare for battle!

The whole armor is a divine and unbeatable defense.  With it we are soldiers of the living God, assured of standing strong against the onslaught of our enemy. We are given rights and privileges because we are children of God.  Being a believer doesn’t mean we won’t be assaulted, but it does give us His power. The armor is waiting, we just have to put it on to be fully equipped and dressed for success!

Joyce

THE ARMOR OF GOD

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God,

that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,

being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly

to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains;

that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Ephesians 6:10-20