The Whole Armor of God

Put on the whole armor of God, that

you may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil. Ep.6:11
• In a spiritual battle there are some things
we must have:
– 1. “dunamis” power: “be strong in the Lord
and in the power of His might.” Ep.6:10
– 2. Perseverance: “and having done all, to
stand.” Ep.6:13: “hold your ground”
– 3. Be FULLY armed he states twice: “11 Put
on the whole armor of God” & “Therefore take
up the whole armor of God,” 13
• Put on is “enduo”: to envelope, to hide in, to
clothe with
• Take up is “analambano”: to take up in order to
use as a once and for all act.
• Historians tell us the relaxation of discipline in
the Roman army rendered soldiers LESS willing
and less ABLE to support the fatigue of the
service. They complained and laid aside some
pieces and the mortality rate increased
• 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist
with truth, having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet
with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16
above all, taking the shield of faith with which
you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of
the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God; 18 praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being
watchful to this end with all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints
• Paul lists 7 pieces to the well armed
soldier of Christ:
– 1. Belt of truth
– 2. Breastplate of righteousness
– 3. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
– 4. Shield of faith
– 5. Helmet of salvation
– 6. Sword of the Spirit
– 7. Lance of prayer and supplication
• 1.The belt of truth:
• “having girt about…” The belt was not an
adornment but an essential part of his
equipment. It was used to keep other parts in
place for FREEDOM of movement.
• To gird your loins during the Roman Era meant
to draw-up and tie your lower garment between
your legs as to increase your mobility and agility.
This prevented the loose ends of the tunic from
becoming snagged on something or entangled
with your feet which would cause you to stumble
or fall down when moving about quickly.
• So one part of what Paul is trying to tell
people is, "to secure anything that will
cause us to stumble or fall down when
moving about quickly in the Christian daily
battle". We should always be spiritually
sharp, alert and ready to respond with
spiritual mobility and spiritual agility.
• Mobile= movement
• Agility=complex movement
• Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be
sober, and hope to the end for grace that is to be
brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus
Christ: As obedient children, not fashioning
yourselves according to the former lusts in your
ignorance: But as he which hath called you is
holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, 'Be ye holy; for I am holy'."
I Peter 1:13-16 (KJV)
• Understanding that the spiritual
battleground for the Christian is found
within the mind is critical. You can't fight
a battle if you don't know where it is.
Control of the thoughts we think to
ourselves (self-talk) is where the most
fierce spiritual battles occur and the
average Christian doesn't even know it.
This is even more true for the non-
Christian who is oblivious to the war
• This is where the “truth” comes in
• We need to know what the truth is here.
• First it is being on solid ground Scripturally
• Ep.1:13 “the word of truth, the gospel…”
• “earnestly contend for the faith…”Jude 3
• Many false teachers who teach many false
things and the way to tell the false from
the true is to know the true so well….
• The second aspect of this is a matter of truth in
the heart. What we would term SINCERITY.
• Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old
leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and
wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of
sincerity and truth. 1 Cor.5:8
• “Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in
sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods
which your fathers served on the other side of
the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD!
Jos.24:14
• If you have “truth” but are not sincere you
are a liar and a hypocrite. If you are
sincere and lacking truth, God can and will
see to it that you come face to face with
Him who IS truth.
• The “loins” represent the uncomely part of
our bodies. The “girdle” of truth or sincerity
covers our uncomeliness.
• Transparency is not optional before God, it
is required:” Behold, You desire truth in
the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make
me to know wisdom.” Ps.51:6