Many people have heard this saying but few really understand what it means. Fewer still have taken the time to plainly explain it. I will do this for you. My hope is that understanding the Whole Armor of God will allow you to "go and sin no more," as Jesus Christ of Nazareth commanded.
I think the most misunderstood portion, or simply not understand by most, is the Sword of Spirit. Here, I will plainly tell you what it is and how you will use the Sword of the Spirit to combat evil spirits. But first, there is a reason for the order - from the top of a man's head to the bottom of his feet.
Just as in Daniel's vision, the kingdoms of man begin at the head and end at the feet, so too does the Whole Armor of God begin at the head and end at the feet. Each piece of the Whole Armor, from the head, down, is a pre-requisite for the next piece. But the Sword and the Shield go hand-in-hand.
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- Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17): Salvation is what men must begin with. All men must first confess their sins to, and believe on, Jesus Christ of Nazareth - whom is the Father-Son-and-Holy-Spirit.
Without Salvation you cannot take on Righteousness.
- Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14): Righteousness comes after a man begins to believe on Immanuel (God-with-us). Righteousness is the process of changing one's life to be in-line with Jesus Christ's teachings, and the teachings in the Bible as a whole. All men must throw away their old sinful habits, friends, desires, hobbies, and even families.
Without Righteousness, that is, not trying to change yourself for God-in-Christ, you cannot seek the Truth.
- Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14): Truth begins where a man takes on Righteousness. For to desire Righteousness is to begin seeking the Truth. For a Truth is this: Salvation is much harder to keep than it is to obtain (a sinner can repent at his deathbed). For if one became Righteous but did not desire the Truth, they would be lukewarm. For the lukewarm, it would have been better to have never taken on ANY piece of God's Armor. The lukewarm will be spit out by God, denied by Jesus Christ at the door, Him saying, "I never knew you."
Without Truth you shall not be accepted by Jesus Christ, and will thus never be armed with the Shield of Faith.
- Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16): Faith is honest, steadfast, and True belief in the Savior Jesus Christ. It protects all the former pieces of the Whole Armor of God. It is the Shield which deflects and destroys Satan's arrows, while the Sword of Spirit cuts down those fallen angels which come close. The Shield of Faith is unbreakable, and unwavering belief and honest commitment to God-in-Christ.
Without the Shield of Faith, you will have no defense, no bulwark, no keep, and will thus find yourself vulnerable to enemies, even if you have a sword - though can a sword stop the rain of arrows?
- Sword of Spirit (Ephesians 6:17): The Spirit is depicted as a sword because it is about Spiritual Warfare. Spiritual Warfare is this: Whenever a Born-again Christian "thinks" an evil and sinful thought (rather hears the whisper of that thought) it is in Truth not your own thought. No matter how vile the thought, one who is in-dwelt by the Father-Son-and-Holy-Spirit CANNOT think such an evil thought.
Truly, Truly, I tell you, the evil thought which is whispered into your head is a deception of a demon (fallen angel). That demon WANTS you to believe that it is your own thought which is sounding loudly and urging feverishly inside your mind. DO NOT take possession, ownership, or blame for that sinful thought. Rather, ostracize the sinful thought knowing it is not you thinking it but a demon putting it inside your head.
When a demon tempts, whispering a thought into your head, you might try saying, "This thought is not my own, it is the whisper of a demon." Further, rebuke that sinful spirit's whisper in the name of the Father-Son-and-Holy-Ghost, in the name of Jesus Christ, in the name of Immanuel.
Without the Sword of Spirit you shall be left weak in the midst of battle, even if you're armed with the Shield of Faith - but what good is a shield in battle if you have no weapon?
- Boots of Peace (Ephesians 6:15): Peace is what comes after war. Without all the former pieces of the Whole Armor of God, you cannot even hope to have battled your way to Peace. Truly, to find Peace you WILL have to wage war against the SPIRITUAL principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this fallen world, and the spiritual beings of wickedness in the heavenly places. Once you have put on the Whole Armor of God, and once you have spent your life in a Spiritual War against sin you will have Peace in Christ Jesus.
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I pray that this has helped you understand the Whole Armor of God. I encourage you to especially consider the Sword of Spirit. It is very important Christians have an offensive capability. And remember! As one in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit, sinful thoughts ARE NOT your own! Rebuke and deny them as the whispers of demons that they are.
Logos Prevailing.
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