Spiritual warfare, armour

The armour of God refers to the resources that Christians possess for defending themselves against the attacks of the world, the flesh and the devil.

God is the believer's strength and shield

Psalm 28:7–8 See also Genesis 15:1; Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalm 3:3, Psalm 7:10, Psalm 119:114

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song. The LORD is the strength of His people, a stronghold of salvation for His anointed.

Believers should be rightly clothed for battle

Romans 13:12–14 See also Ephesians 4:22–24; Colossians 3:9, Colossians 3:12–14; 1 Peter 4:1

The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Believers should put on the full armour of God

The belt of truth

Ephesians 6:14 Psalm 119:95, Psalm 119:116; Ephesians 4:14–15; Colossians 2:8; 2 Timothy 1:13–14; 1 Peter 1:13

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,

The breastplate of righteousness

Ephesians 6:14 Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 13:6; Isaiah 61:10; Zechariah 3:1–4

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,

The gospel of peace

Ephesians 6:15 John 14:27, John 16:33; Philippians 4:6–7

and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.

The shield of faith

Ephesians 6:16 Romans 1:17; Habakkuk 2:4; 1 Peter 5:9; 1 John 5:4

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

The helmet of salvation

Ephesians 6:17 1 Thessalonians 5:8–9; Titus 2:11–14; 1 John 3:3

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The Christian's spiritual weapons

2 Corinthians 10:4

The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

The sword of the Spirit

Ephesians 6:17 Psalm 119:11; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Hebrews 4:12

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The armour of God is worn with prayer

Ephesians 6:18 Psalm 55:16–18; Hebrews 4:16; James 5:16

Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.