Spiritual warfare is a real thing, and the Bible teaches that Satan and demons intend to drive us away from God and his purposes for our lives. But God has given us resources to resist the devil and his schemes, and Paul calls it the armor of God:
\nEphesians 6:12-13 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against ... evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God\u2019s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.
\nThe soldier\u2019s belt was the centerpiece of a Roman soldier's armor, securing the body armor and housing the sword's scabbard. For spiritual warfare, this centerpiece is truth. Remember - spiritual warfare takes place primarily in the mind, and Satan is the father of lies. Christians prepare for the fight by fixing the truth of God\u2019s word firmly in our minds and hearts (Romans 12:2).
\nThe soldier\u2019s body armor protected him from the neck to the upper thighs. For a Christian, this represents a lifestyle of righteousness that gives Satan no targets to exploit.
\nThe soldier\u2019s footwear \u2013 clearly the most boring item in this list \u2013 enabled him to get from one battlefield to the next. In scripture, feet were often connected to sharing a message, as Paul explained to the Romans:
\nRomans 10:15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, \u201cHow beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!\u201d
\nA Roman soldier was equipped with a large oblong shield that covered his body completely. When a row of soldiers lined up side by side, their shields created an impregnable wall. That\u2019s how faith works for Christians: it\u2019s more effective in community.
\nThe soldier\u2019s helmet obviously protected his head. If you\u2019re a Christian, Satan will try to get \u201cin your head\u201d by lying to you about your worthiness before God. That\u2019s what the helmet is for: the assurance of our salvation protects against the devil\u2019s accusations.
\n1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
\nThe soldier\u2019s sword was his only purely offensive weapon. Paul connects this final piece of armor to the Word of God. The Holy Spirit uses the Bible, in our hands, to drive off the enemy. The particular word used here suggests some specific portion of the Bible particularly applied to a given situation. For example, when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus answered with specific quotes from the Bible. Learn where to find those key verses that combat the temptations Satan normally fires at you. Memorize them so that you always have your \u201csword\u201d ready at hand (Hebrews 4:12).
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