Growing up, I used to listen to a song about the armor of God. The song made the point in order to know wrong from right and to be able to go out in battle, we must prepare with the armor of God.
Okay, sounds good.
I’m sure many of you are familiar with studies, devotionals, videos, and books on the armor of God. But can I tell you one thing I missed when I was learning about the armor of God?
Jesus.
Weird, right?
We call it the armor of God, but, at least in my case, we get more fixated on the parts of the armor than actually focusing on how it’s the armor of GOD, and Jesus is God. (See: 5 Scriptures To Meditate On This Month | Jesus is God)
Memorizing the different parts of armor did not help me understand the Gospel of Christ. (To begin with I didn’t understand cross-references in scripture.) It wasn’t until a few years ago I realized how crucial Christ is to the armor of God. Interestingly, two years ago, I also did a Christmas study on Christ, which connects to today’s topic.
- Wonderful Counselor | Christmas Study
- Mighty God | Christmas Study
- Everlasting Father | Christmas Study
- Prince of Peace | Christmas Study
The focus was on Isaiah chapter 9 and four ways the Messiah was described. However, just two chapters later, in Isaiah 11, we find another interesting scripture talking about the coming Messiah, Jesus.
Prophecy of the Messiah
Isaiah 11:05 says – Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
And later we see:
Isaiah 41:01-04 says- Listen to me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment. Who stirred up one from the east whom victory meets at every step? He gives up nations before him, so that he tramples kings underfoot; he makes them like dust with his sword, like driven stubble with his bow. He pursues them and passes on safely, by paths his feet have not trod. Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he. (Emphasis mine.)
More References of the Armor of God in Isaiah
Ephesians 6 talks about the breastplate of righteousness and feet fitted with readiness of the Gospel. When I see Isaiah share that the Messiah calls people in righteousness to His feet, I can’t help but immediately think of Ephesians 6 connecting to Isaiah 41:02. Here is the NASB translation.
(NASB) Isaiah 41:02 says – “Who has stirred one from the east Whom He calls in righteousness to His feet? He turns nations over to him And subdues kings. He makes them like dust with his sword, Like the wind-driven chaff with his bow.
Also, check out Isaiah 59:17. Here we see the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation as both refer to the Redeemer of Zion.
Isaiah 59:17 – He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. (Cross-reference, another indication Jesus is God, vengeance is the Lord’s, see Hebrews 10:30.)
God alone is righteous and for us to walk in a righteous manner, we must turn to God. We must be given His righteousness. The Lord conquers. He directs. God alone is Judge. He alone is holy and vengeance is His.
The righteous walk in the way of the Lord. He guides their steps. He is their armor and sword. We are in a battle right now.
The Armor is about Righteousness & Christ is Righteous
Therefore, righteousness begins with us looking at Christ. Jesus, the God-Man Who was, is, and will forever be righteous. No other man is considered righteous based on his works Romans 3:10 tells us that only God is righteous. When we see people in the Bible, including the Old Testament, referred to as righteous (like Job or Abraham) we see that there is a connection of faith and believing in God. Even Job showed faith of the coming Messiah.
Job 19:25-27 – For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!
He points out that he believes (has faith) in seeing the Savior after he (Job) has died. The description we see, skin being destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, reminds me of the believers’ resurrection. Job had faith even before he saw the Savior that there would be a Redeemer.
As Christians, we, too, await the seconding coming of Christ and His final judgement upon the earth. Until His return or our passing, we must fight the good fight, while having eyes on eternity.
We may not be able to see the Savior like the apostles, but unlike Job and other people in the Old Testament, the Lord equips us with the armor of God. It would do us well to use the armor properly.
When we look at the armor of God and see:
- Loins girded
- Belt of truth
- Breastplate of righteousness
- Feet fitted with a readiness of the Gospel
- Shield of faith
- Sword of the Spirit
- Helmet of salvation
We must understand how every part of the armor of God is about Christ.
How does the Armor of God Relate to Christ?
Are we getting ready for battle on a daily basis? Imagine this.
Girding loins allowed a man to tie up his long tunic in such a way he would be able to fight, run faster, and be more efficient. I really appreciated how Got Questions talked about the armor of God.
In speaking about the belt of truth, Got Questions discusses the armor in this way.
“In referring to the whole armor of God, Paul invokes the image of a soldier ready for battle. The belt of a Roman soldier in Paul’s day was not a simple leather strap such as we wear today. It was a thick, heavy leather and metal band with a protective piece hanging down from the front of it. The belt held the soldier’s sword and other weapons. The belt of truth of the spiritual armor holds the sword of the Spirit, linking truth and the Word of God (cf. John 17:17). The Word of God is truth.”
Belt of Truth by Got Questions – https://www.gotquestions.org/belt-of-truth.html
While we are not Roman soldiers, we can apply the description of a soldier’s armor on how we should be ready for spiritual warfare.
Armor of God Reference Study (Not Just Ephesians 6)
Various parts of the armor of God are referenced in both the Old Testament and New Testament. I encourage you to become familiar with these scriptures and take note on how everything is connected to Jesus. At the end of each section covering a portion of the armor of God, I will share a What to Take Away to help you summarize what is being cross-referenced, in addition to some notes discussing particular verses.
At the end, I’ll repeat the Isaiah passages, and finally look at Ephesians 6, the passage about the armor of God. There is a really powerful cross-reference to Psalm 91 that we will revisit.
A Lot To Take In?
No worries! – Today’s post is the full version, but in the future, I will share portions of the amor of God, in case the whole post seems overwhelming.
Belt of Truth
Isaiah 11:05- Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
Note: Christ is identified as righteous and faithful.
Question: Who do we turn to?
- John 14:06 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me
Note: Proverbs sometimes talks about the path of life. The Holy One leads us to the path of life. We learn of the Holy One, Jesus, the Messiah, from God’s word and through the Gospel we gain understanding. Christ therefore is the path of life. If we reject God, we are not on the path of life and we find truth (the Gospel) foolish. 1 Corinthians 1:23 (See also: How Does Wisdom & Meditating on Scripture Help Us in Our Life? | God’s Will) Without the Gospel, we cannot walk the path of life and we cannot be righteous or faithful.
How do we obtain faith?
- Hebrews 12:02– looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Note: Christ is the Author of faith.
What to Take Away:
The belt of truth shows us how Christ is Righteous and He is Faithful. Scripture upholds this truth telling us in Revelation that Jesus is called Faithful and True. When we look at John 14:06 in which Christ says He is the way, the truth, and the life, He is the only way to obtain righteousness and faith. Christ is the path of life. We receive faith through Christ alone and He imparts His Righteousness to us.
In addition, the Bible helps us understand what faith and righteousness is. Scripture is known as the word of God, and Christ is also referred as the word of God. The belt of truth, which holds everything together, begins with Jesus and our understanding of the God-Man. We must be girded in scripture in order that that all other pieces of our armor stay held together.
Breastplate of Righteousness
The righteousness of God was displayed through the life of Jesus as He walked the earth. Through Christ’s perfect and sinless life, He was able to become our propitiation. He appeased the wrath of God in our place. He died on the cross and took our sin upon Him. He resurrected conquering the bondage of sin. Righteousness is given to us through faith in Christ. We are protected from the condemnation of sin because of the righteousness of Christ.
- Romans 3:21-25 says – But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
1 Thessalonians 5:08 – 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.
What to Take Away:
A breastplate protects us. It is through this image of protection we look at Christ. Standing in front of us, telling the Judge, “I will take their place. I will personally pay off their debt.” The breastplate of righteousness shares a connection of faith and love. The breastplate is given to us by the One Who is Faithful and demonstrated the love of God on the cross. Christ’s righteousness is given to the sinner in exchange for the debt He paid off. Through faith in Jesus, we realize the reality of our own sin and we see the need of the Gospel.
Feet fitted with readiness of the Gospel
God promises to protect our steps.
If our feet are fitted well, we are able to walk well. The Gospel anchors us as the Gospel is about Jesus. No one can take us away from Christ when we are standing on the Rock, the Gospel. He protects us and helps us stand firm. The Gospel teaches us about Christ and instructs us in the way of the Spirit. Through Jesus we are able to walk on the path of life and we stay away from the path of destruction. In doing so, we warn others, being ready with the truth of the Gospel.
John 10:28 – I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Psalm 18:36– You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.
Psalm 37:31 – The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.
Psalm 66:08-09– Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip.
Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Proverbs 6:23-24 – For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
2 Samuel 22:34 – He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.
- For further study there are multiple scriptures about how God makes our feet steady or how God watches our steps. – Psalm 17:05, 31:08, 56:13, 115:07, 119:168, Proverbs 4:20-27, 5:21, 15:03 | Job 14:16, 31:04 | 2 Chronicles 16:09
What to Take Away:
Christ is the Rock and we must be anchored in Him. Jesus keeps our way steady. Scripture teaches us about the Lord and how to obey Him. Scripture also gives us comfort, encouragement, and peace. The Holy Spirit helps us stay anchored to the truth of Christ. Our security is in Jesus. Knowing the truth, we are able to walk through trials and warn others of the path of destruction. We are able to point others to the path of life, which is found in Christ alone.
Shield of Faith
Note from the passage of John 10:28 (referenced above), Jesus says He gives eternal life and no one can snatch those He has given life to from His hand. Christ’s statement relates heavily to the same promise we see in Psalm 91:01-06 (listed below) that shares how the Lord is our shelter and deliverer. A place of shelter is a place of protection.
A shield gives us protection. Christ is our refuge and strength because He is God. Jesus delivers us from death because He gives eternal life. Christ literally hands us the shield of faith because He is the Author of faith. The shield defends and Christ defends us, as the High Priest. Hebrews 6:19–20
Psalm 91:01-06- He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
Hebrews 12:02- looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
What to Take Away:
Notice how both scriptures discuss faith. In Psalm 91 we see how the protection of the Lord is connected to his faithfulness, like a shield. We can rest in the promise that God will protect us. God is faithful, and it makes sense that the One Who is Faithful is also the Author of faith. The One Who gives us eternal life also gives us the faith to place in Him. The shield of faith is another form of protection. We are told those in Christ will be delivered and their refuge is in the Lord. Faith in Christ helps us not have fear in the enemy because God is our protection.
Sword of the Spirit
Note that the Sword of the Spirit is the word of God, scripture. The Gospel, found in scripture, teaches us about Jesus. Christ is also referred to as the word of God. He is one Person of the Trinity. Jesus is God. (See John 1:01-04 below) Notice how the word of God is said to give life, and Christ proclaims in the Gospel that He alone can give eternal life. When we see the word of God talked about we need to know how this phrase relates to Jesus.
We also need to see how powerful God’s words are because His words are trustworthy. It is a fearful thing for a sinner to fall into the hands of a mighty God. The Lord’s judgement will be severe and swift. But for those in Christ the word of God equips us for every good work. (See: Covenant of Redemption | Understanding The Trinity, Hebrews 10:31)
Jeremiah 23:29 – Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
Isaiah 49:02– He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away. (Note: this verse speaks of the Messiah.)
John 1:01-04– In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
What to Take Away:
The only part of the armor of God we actively fight with is the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. The Lord tells us His word is sufficient to equip us for every good work. When we think of being equipped that includes the parts of armor that protect us and the actions we are to take in spiritual warfare. We will know what to do, if we know the will of God. Often I hear people desire God to physically speak to them, but the truth is the will of the Lord is found in scripture not experiences. (See: How Does Wisdom & Meditating on Scripture Help Us in Our Life? | God’s Will, God’s Will for You Today | Instructions for Life)
When Christ walked on the earth, He quoted scripture. If God physically spoke to us today, He would be saying the same things we read in His word. The sword of the Spirit divides and conquers. His living word is sufficient for us. We need to trust Him and be accountable to what is happening inwardly. We will find the issue isn’t about whether or not God speaks to us, but that we have been disobedient from not listening to His word and not putting our trust in Him. We must be active in God’s word not only for our protection and obedience to the Lord, but that we may be able to resist the devil and he will flee. (James 4:07)
Helmet of Salvation
Note that the helmet protects the brain, our mind. The Christian must be accountable to the state of her mind. Romans 12:02 says – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
The sword of the Spirit heavily connects to the helmet of salvation. God’s word must transform our mind and our heart. God’s word must lead us and take control of not only our mind, but our entire being. Christ needs to be the leader in our life. 1 Thessalonians 5:09-10 says – For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
Take up your sword. Take up your armor.
1 Thessalonians 5:08 – 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.
- Christ is our salvation and He is our hope. (See: Christ: The Hope of Glory)
- Titus 2:13 – waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
- To be sober-minded is to be serious, we must take the armor of God seriously.
What to Take Away:
Defense is not about us winning.
Only defending ourselves, but rarely acting in battle typically leads to a long war. Often the enemy can gain ground. However, spiritual warfare is very unique. Our protection and our strength to fight all has been given from one Person, the Lord Jesus the Christ.
The Christian must have a completely different mindset than the sinner of a broken world. We are told to be wise. We are told to stand out. We are told to help and love the enemy. The One Who equips us is the One Who has already gone out to battle, and He has won. Jesus has done the impossible, and He has reconciled us to God. We have access to the Father and the Holy Spirit through Christ.
Though the battle may rage, we know the triumph that awaits. Thus, our hope lies in Jesus. Our mind must be set and renewed on Christ and the will of the Lord, the will of the Savior. The Bible provides everything we will need to know, how to act and how to defend. A major part of spiritual warfare is having the right mindset, thus the helmet of salvation must be placed correctly.
We cannot have a loose helmet. We cannot leave our helmet at home and rush out to battle without it. We must first understand the truth of the Gospel and our Lord, and then we must act upon the command of our Savior.
Making our feet ready with the truth of the Gospel. The truth that sets us free and leads us to the path of life. Armored in the breastplate of righteousness and love from Jesus Himself, we take up the shield of faith, finding our protection in Christ. Trusting in the belt of truth that girds us and makes us ready for war.
Take the sword of the Spirit that leads to the renewing of our mind. This renewal helps us serve the Lord well, seeing through the lies of demons and strengthening us to endure against the temptation of the devil.
Isaiah 59:17 – He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
One day a sword will come forth from the mouth of our Savior and He will judge the ends of the earth. Until then, endure saint.
Remember These Scriptures:
Isaiah 11:05- Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
Isaiah 41:01-04 – Listen to me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment. Who stirred up one from the east whom victory meets at every step? He gives up nations before him, so that he tramples kings underfoot; he makes them like dust with his sword, like driven stubble with his bow. He pursues them and passes on safely, by paths his feet have not trod. Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.
Isaiah 59:17 – He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
Ephesians 6:10 -17 | Armor of God
- Take note of how the armor weaves itself together in the truth and righteousness of Jesus Christ, especially the other cross-references that we studied above.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
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.
Psalm 91:05- You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day. I think of the shield of faith that extinguishes all the flaming darts of the evil one.
Isaiah 49:01 makes the Messiah a polished arrow and has the Messiah in the hand of God. In John 10, the same chapter that speaks of the believer being in the hand of Christ, in the next verse (29) says the believer is in the hand of the Father, too. The Messiah was in the hand of God and did exactly what God wanted Him to do because Jesus is God. Christ has the mind of God.
Jesus is the arrow that pierced and crushed the head of the enemy. He is the stone that killed the giant. He is the message that saved Nineveh. His blood is why God will pass over the doorway of the sinner because the sinner has been set free from the bondage of sin. The debt has been paid off in full.
Christ is our Redeemer and our Deliverer.
Christ is the armor of God.
*Scripture in bold – Emphasis mine
*All scriptures unless noted is ESV
The Gospel Message– The Gospel message is good news, which means there’s bad news. We all are sinners and condemned. We all deserve the just punishment of God’s wrath. Christianity is unlike any other religion because we cannot earn our way into Heaven. God saw the weakness of man and his utter depravity. Yet, He showed us grace. Jesus, God, One Person of the Trinity, became God in the flesh, the God-Man. He was always perfect and sinless. And His humanity was perfected on the cross, living the full sinless life. He became our atonement sacrifice. Dying in our place, taking on the wrath of God upon Himself. He died on the cross, and He was resurrected because death could not hold Him. Jesus is the answer. We, as guilty sinners, need His blood to pay off our debt of sin. For all who put their faith in Him – meaning eyes are opened to the Gospel, we see ourselves as a sinner, we see the need for Christ, we desire our Savior, and we see the ugliness of our sin. Putting our faith in Jesus, we seek HIs forgiveness and repent from our sins, we turn away from our old way of life. We, through the work of the Holy Spirit, continue to become convicted of sin daily. Our eyes will never be the same again. We see things in a different light, and the truth of Christ affects how we live and serve Him. Christ tells us to count the cost. Salvation is a serious topic, it is not to be taken lightly. For a breakdown of this powerful message, understanding how Christ could be God and Man, why God required sacrifices, and more -please see: Why Did A Loving God Kill His Son? (Does God Hate?)
If you think you know the Gospel, check out these questions and see how prepared you are for the day someone might ask you why you believe: The Gospel Challenge (30 Question Quiz) – Are You Ready To Defend Your Faith?
Scripture To Meditate On –(ESV) Psalm 90:02 – Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
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