The Armor of God

The apostle Paul wrote from a prison cell to the church in Ephesus. He wanted them to stand firm in the Lord. "Be strong," he wrote, "in the Lord and in the strength of His might."

"Our struggle is not against flesh and blood," Paul said. The real enemy is not the neighbor, or the hard day, or the bully at school. It is the unseen evil that wants to pull us away from God.

So Paul gave them a picture. A soldier putting on armor. "Put on the whole armor of God, so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil."

First, the belt of truth, and the breastplate of righteousness — God's truth holding everything together, and right living guarding the heart. Then feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, ready to walk where God sends.

The shield of faith, to stop the burning arrows of doubt. The helmet of salvation, guarding the mind in Christ. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God — the only weapon in the list.

And over all of it, prayer. "Pray at all times in the Spirit," Paul wrote. "Keep watch, and pray for all the saints." The Lord Himself is the strength of those who call on Him.