Biblical Answer

The Call to Spiritual Warfare

The call to "put on the armor of God" in Ephesians 6:10-20 is a metaphorical expression that refers to the spiritual resources and tools that God provides for believers to engage in spiritual warfare. Paul exhorts his readers to take up the full armor of God, so that they may be able to resist in the evil day and stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Eph. 6:11). This armor is not a physical set of clothes, but rather a spiritual one that consists of various pieces that are designed to protect and equip believers for the spiritual battle.

The Components of the Armor

The armor of God consists of several key components, including the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Each of these components is designed to play a specific role in the spiritual battle. For example, the belt of truth represents the truth of God's Word, which is the foundation of our faith. The breastplate of righteousness represents the righteousness of Christ, which protects us from the attacks of the devil. The shoes of the gospel of peace represent the peace that we have in Jesus Christ, which enables us to stand firm in the midst of spiritual conflict.

Putting on the Armor

To "put on the armor of God" means to appropriate these spiritual resources and tools in our daily lives. It means to live in a state of prayerful readiness, to be self-controlled and alert, and to make every effort to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (1 Peter 5:8). It means to put on the helmet of salvation, which is a gift of God, and to put on the breastplate of righteousness, which is also a gift. It means to be equipped with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and to use it to defend ourselves against the attacks of the devil. By putting on the armor of God, we can stand firm in the midst of spiritual conflict and resist the evil day.