Armour of God

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [cunning devices] of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places [places of authority].
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all [having overcome all], to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the prepraration of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
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, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints...” – Ephesians 6:10-18

Twice we are enjoined to PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD. Partial compliance with this is clearly not enough. Faith is useless without salvation; righteousness will become as nothing without truth; knowing the Word of God is pointless without also being prepared with the gospel of peace.

This passage from Paul's Letter to the Ephesians refers back to the passage in Isaiah 59:17 - “For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head...” a powerful reference as Isaiah was speaking in that passage about the need for an intercessor.

The wiles of the devil - his cunning strategies - are there to appeal to the darkest, most worldly side of us. It is that side which lies, cheats, steals, murders, commits adultery and sexual abominations, blasphemes, causes quarrels and fights, become drunk and gluttonous, and so on. There are plenty of methods which make these sins seem attractive in some circumstances.

The business of the rulers of the darkness of this world is human destruction. The purpose of spiritual wickedness in high places is to tempt us in order to destroy us. God has given us the tools for victory; that is what the armour of God is.

1. Being girded about with truth.

2. Having on the breastplate of righteousness.

3. Having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

4. Taking the shield of faith.

5. Taking the helmet of salvation.

6. Taking the sword of the Spirit.