Full Armor of God

Here are the verses detailing the full armor of God, from Ephesians 6:10-18 in the New International Version (NIV):

🙏 The Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Understanding the meaning behind each piece of armor helps us apply the teaching to our daily lives.

Here is a breakdown of the spiritual meaning for each part of the Armor of God, based on the context of the book of Ephesians:

🛡️ Meaning of the Armor of God

Piece of Armor Spiritual Meaning & Application/Action

Belt of Truth Truthfulness and integrity.

It holds everything else together. It means living honestly and knowing the truth of God's Word. Living with integrity; rejecting deceit and lies.

Breastplate of Righteousness.

Right living and holy conduct. This protects the vital organs (our heart/core). It is about the righteous standing we have through Christ and the righteous actions that follow. Protecting your heart by consistently choosing to do what is right in God's eyes.

Feet Fitted with the Readiness that Comes from the Gospel of Peace. Stability and willingness to share the Gospel. It gives us a firm footing and prepares us to move forward in the mission of sharing peace. Being prepared at all times to share the good news of peace with others.

Shield of Faith.

Trust in God's promises. This is the defensive piece used to block all attacks. Faith in God is the active trust that extinguishes the doubts and temptations ("flaming arrows") the enemy throws at us. Actively trusting God's power and promises when faced with temptation or doubt.

Helmet of Salvation.

The assurance of salvation. It protects the mind and thinking. The knowledge that we are saved is a defense against doubt and despair. Protecting your mind by remembering your identity and security in Christ.

Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

The active, living Word of God (the Bible). This is the only offensive weapon listed. It is used to fight back and overcome spiritual attacks, just as Jesus did when tempted. Actively using and quoting Scripture to combat temptation and falsehoods.

The final element, Praying in the Spirit on all occasions, is the surrounding power source—the ongoing communication and connection with God that makes the whole armor effective.

🙏 A Daily Prayer for Putting on the Armor of God

Heavenly Father, I come before You today, ready to stand firm against the spiritual forces of evil. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, I choose to put on Your full armor:

The Belt of Truth: I buckle the Belt of Truth around my waist. I ask you to fill me with Your truth, to expose any lies, and to help me live with complete integrity and honesty today.

The Breastplate of Righteousness: I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness to guard my heart. I receive the righteousness that comes through Christ, and I commit to choosing righteous and holy actions that honor You.

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: I fit my feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Give me a firm foundation today and help me to be prepared to share the good news of Jesus with anyone You bring across my path.

The Shield of Faith: I take up the mighty Shield of Faith. I trust You completely. Help me to use my faith to extinguish every flaming arrow of doubt, temptation, and fear the enemy sends my way.

The Helmet of Salvation: I place the Helmet of Salvation on my head. I protect my mind by remembering my identity in Christ and the complete assurance of my salvation. I reject thoughts of despair, defeat, or unworthiness.

The Sword of the Spirit: I take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is Your living Word, O God. Help me to know the Scriptures, meditate on them, and speak them out against the schemes of the enemy.

Finally, I commit to praying in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Keep me alert and help me to pray for others today.

In Jesus's mighty name, Amen.

Putting on Your Defensive Strength

The armor is not something we manufacture; it is provided by God. When we put on this armor, we are essentially clothing ourselves in the character of Jesus Christ.

The Belt of Truth: When lies and deceit try to unravel your peace, cling to the absolute, unchanging Truth of God's Word. Confess your weaknesses to God and others, living with honesty.

The Breastplate of Righteousness: The enemy loves to accuse. Your defense is not your own flawed goodness, but the Righteousness of Christ that covers you. Live a life that actively reflects that gift—choosing purity and integrity to guard your heart.

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: Doubt and fear cause your feet to slip. Be ready to advance, anchored in the peace that comes from knowing Christ has reconciled you to God. This stability allows you to walk into conflict without carrying your own anger, but rather carrying the message of peace.

The Shield of Faith: The devil's attacks are often described as "flaming arrows"—thoughts designed to wound and ignite fear (doubt, lust, anxiety). Your Faith in God's faithfulness acts as a shield, actively deflecting these fiery assaults before they hit your mind or heart.

The Helmet of Salvation: Protect your thinking with the assurance of Salvation. Remind yourself: I am forgiven. I belong to God. My future is secure. This hope is the ultimate guard against despair and negative thinking.

You fight back by speaking and applying Scripture to your situation. When tempted, ask: What does God's Word say about this? When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, he didn't argue; he answered with, "It is written..." (Matthew 4:1-11). You have the same weapon.

Reflection and Action

Examine: Which "flaming arrow" (doubt, anxiety, temptation) is the enemy aiming at you most often right now?
Apply: How can you actively use the corresponding piece of armor (e.g., if it's doubt, lift the Shield of Faith) to stand your ground today?
Pray: Remember the final essential element: Praying in the Spirit on all occasions. Maintain constant communication with God, asking for alertness and perseverance.