A Study of Spiritual Warfare - Week 2

Week 2: The Armor of God

This week, we’re going to focus on one of the most crucial aspects of spiritual warfare—putting on the armor of God. In Ephesians 6, Paul gives us a powerful picture that shows how God equips us to stand firm in battle. As we explore each piece of armor, you’ll learn how to actively put it on and how it protects you from the enemy’s schemes.

Key Scriptures:

Let’s start with the Word of God. These scriptures lays the foundation for understanding what each piece of the armor represents and why it’s important for your spiritual life.

1. Ephesians 6:13-18 (ESV):

“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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”

• Reflection: Think about how each piece of armor is meant to protect you from specific spiritual attacks. Are you “putting on” the armor of God daily through prayer and the Word of God? How might this change the way you approach your spiritual battles?

2. Isaiah 59:17 (ESV):

“He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head.”

• Reflection: God Himself wears this armor. What does it mean to you that God shares His armor with you to protect and strengthen you in battle? When we "put on the armor", we are putting on Jesus.

3. Romans 13:12-14 (ESV):

“The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

• Reflection: The armor of God is essentially putting on Christ Himself. How can you intentionally “put on” Christ in your actions and thoughts every day?

4. James 4:7 (ESV):

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

• Reflection: How does submitting to God strengthen your ability to resist the devil’s attacks? In what areas of your life do you need to submit more fully?

5. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (ESV):

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”

• Reflection: How can faith and love act as your defense against the enemy’s attacks? How can our “hope of salvation” protect your mind and thoughts daily?

Understanding the Armor of God:

Now that you’ve reflected on those scriptures, let’s break down what the armor of God actually looks like in practice. Each piece of the armor has a specific role in protecting you and helping you stand firm against the enemy’s attacks.

Tony Evans, in Victory in Spiritual Warfare, describes the belt of truth as, “The belt of truth is designed to stabilize things by keeping them in their proper order.” (Evans, p. 55). The belt of truth is essential in keeping our lives grounded in the Word of God. Evans goes on to explain that the shield of faith is designed to stop the enemy’s attacks. Faith not only defends, but it also extinguishes the flaming darts of lies, doubts, and temptations.

Jerry Rankin and Ed Stetzer, in Spiritual Warfare and Missions, highlight the importance of the Word of God as our weapon in spiritual warfare. It is both an offensive and defensive weapon against the lies and attacks of Satan. The Word of God is our most effective weapon in cutting through the enemy’s deceptions and bringing truth to light.

Prayer and the Armor of God:

Once you understand the importance of the armor, the next step is putting it on, and this happens through prayer. Prayer isn’t just how we ask God for help; it’s how we “activate” the armor and stand firm in the face of battle.

E.M. Bounds, in The Necessity of Prayer, reminds us of the power of prayer for the Christian soldier: “He is to pray in all seasons and with all prayer. This is to be added to the armor when he goes into battle. At all times, he is to have the full armor of prayer. The Christian soldier, if he fights to win, must pray much.” (Bounds, p. 109). Without prayer, we are left unprotected in battle. Bounds stresses that prayer is the means through which we access God’s strength.

Ronnie Floyd, in The Power of Prayer and Fasting, explains the spiritual power of fasting combined with prayer brings clarity and sharpens our ability to hear God’s voice, making us more receptive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in spiritual warfare.

Practical Steps for This Week:

Let’s put this knowledge into practice! Here are some simple yet effective ways to engage with the armor of God in your daily life. These steps will help you live out what you’ve learned and strengthen your defenses against spiritual attacks.

1. Pray Through the Armor Daily:

Each morning, spend a few minutes praying through Ephesians 6:13-18. As you pray, visualize putting on each piece of armor: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Ask God to protect and empower you throughout the day.

2. Identify Areas of Weakness:

Reflect on areas where you feel spiritually vulnerable—whether it’s doubt, fear, temptation, or something else. Write these areas down and ask God to show you which piece of the armor will help guard you against these specific attacks. Pray for strength in those areas.

3. Memorize Key Scriptures for Battle:

Choose a couple of key scriptures related to spiritual warfare or the armor of God (e.g., Ephesians 6:13-18, James 4:7). Memorize these verses so that you can recall them when facing spiritual attacks. God’s Word is a powerful weapon against the enemy.

Sample Prayer:

As you put on the armor of God, prayer becomes your lifeline to God’s strength and protection. Here’s a sample prayer to guide you as you begin each day equipped for battle:

Father, today I put on the full armor You have given me. I fasten the belt of truth, standing firm in Your Word. I put on the breastplate of righteousness, guarding my heart from the enemy’s accusations. I wear the shoes of peace, ready to stand firm in the gospel. I take up the shield of faith to extinguish the fiery darts of doubt and temptation. I place on the helmet of salvation, protecting my mind with the assurance of my identity in Christ. And I wield the sword of the Spirit, Your Word, as my weapon. Help me stand firm today in Your strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Testimony: David and Goliath

Let’s look at a biblical example of how faith and God’s protection allow us to face seemingly impossible battles. One of the most famous stories in Scripture is David’s battle with Goliath. This story isn’t just about a boy defeating a giant—it’s a story of faith in God’s strength over our own abilities.

When David, a young shepherd, faced Goliath, the Israelite army was terrified. Goliath was a giant warrior, and no one thought they could defeat him. But David declared, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37, ESV). David didn’t wear the traditional armor of a soldier because his trust was in God’s power to deliver him.

David took five smooth stones and his sling, and with faith in God’s protection, he defeated Goliath with just one stone. The giant fell, not because David was strong, but because God was with him.

This story reminds us that:

1. God’s strength is greater than any obstacle we face.

2. Faith is our greatest weapon when we trust God’s power over our own abilities.

Like David, you may feel like you’re facing battles that seem too big to win. But with the armor of God and faith in His strength, you can overcome even the toughest challenges. What giants are you facing today, and how can you trust God to fight for you?

Personalized Reflection & Journaling Prompts:

As you consider the armor of God and how to apply it in your life, take some time to reflect on these questions. Journaling your thoughts will help you put into action what you’re learning and keep track of your spiritual growth.

1. Which piece of armor do I need most?

Reflect on the areas where you feel the most vulnerable. Is it your faith, peace, or righteousness? Write down the piece of armor you need to focus on strengthening this week and how you can use prayer to put it on.

2. How can I stand firm in spiritual battles?

Think about the spiritual attacks you’ve faced recently. How can you use the armor of God to protect yourself and stand firm in the truth? Write down practical steps you will take to rely more on God’s protection in these situations.

3. What can I learn from David’s story?

Reflect on David’s faith in facing Goliath. Are there “giants” in your life that you’re facing in your own strength instead of trusting God? How can you apply a faith like David’s and reliance on God in your situation?

Additional Insights:

As you meditate on the armor of God, remember that this isn’t something we put on once—it’s a daily practice. Tony Evans explains that the armor is designed to protect you, but only if you wear it. Without it, you are exposed to the enemy’s attacks. Each day is an opportunity to stand firm in the protection God offers and to trust in His strength.

Putting on the armor of God isn’t just about defense—it’s also about advancing in faith. The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is your offensive weapon. Use it boldly in your prayers, your conversations, and your thoughts to fight back against the enemy’s lies.

Final Thought:

This week, your challenge is to be intentional about putting on the armor of God every day. God has given you everything you need to stand firm in the face of spiritual attacks. As Tony Evans says, “You are not fighting for victory—you are fighting from victory. This battle has already been won!” (Evans, p. 12). Trust that God’s protection is greater than any scheme the enemy might throw at you, and walk confidently in that truth.

Bonus Reading:

• Victory in Spiritual Warfare by Tony Evans

• The Necessity of Prayer by E.M. Bounds

• Spiritual Warfare and Missions by Jerry Rankin and Ed Stetzer

• The Power of Prayer and Fasting by Ronnie Floyd

Want to Go Deeper?

Here are some additional ways to apply what you’ve learned this week. These practical steps will help you engage more deeply with the concept of spiritual armor and live it out in your everyday life.

1. Daily Armor Prayer Routine:

• Begin each morning with a dedicated time of prayer, specifically putting on each piece of armor. This practice will help you be more aware of God’s protection and strengthen you for the day ahead.

2. Write a Personal Armor Strategy:

• Take time to reflect on where the enemy has been attacking you—whether it’s in your thoughts, emotions, or circumstances. Write a personalized strategy for how you will use each piece of armor to defend yourself against these specific attacks. Keep this strategy with you and revisit it in prayer.

3. Use Scripture as a Weapon:

• Pick a few key verses related to spiritual warfare or God’s promises and write them on note cards. Carry these cards with you, and when you feel under attack, read the scriptures aloud. Speaking God’s Word is a powerful way to resist the enemy.

4. Fasting for Spiritual Strength:

• Consider fasting from a meal or distraction (such as social media) to focus on prayer and spiritual growth. Fasting sharpens your spiritual senses and allows you to rely more fully on God’s strength.

5. Find someone to disciple you:

• Spiritual warfare is not meant to be fought alone. Find someone who can pray with you and encourage you as you put on the armor of God. Share your struggles and victories, and support each other in standing firm against the enemy’s attacks.

• One of our partners, D-Life, trains everyday Christ-followers through churches and pastors how to have a lifestyle of discipleship (learning and multiplying). Learn more at https://www.livethedlife.com/#/.

• Another partner of ICN is Follower Of One, and they have wonderful resources for equipping yourself in the marketplace. Learn more at https://followerofone.org/.

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How are you applying the armor of God in your life this week? Are there areas where you still feel vulnerable? Let me know how I can support you as you continue this journey of spiritual growth. Join us for week three as we continue our study of spiritual warfare.