Speaker: Heath McCoy

As we finish this series about the Armor of God, we learn of the Sword of the Spirit “which is the word of God.” Taking up Scripture as we would a sword, God gives us an offensive weapon to fight back against the lies and attacks of the enemy. We can trust the authority, power, truth, and transformative ability of the Bible to lead joy-filled, Scripture-saturated lives.

Just as a Roman soldier’s helmet signified rank and offered protection, salvation secures our identity and guards our minds. Though our spirit is renewed in Christ, the battle for our thoughts continues, requiring daily surrender and transformation. The enemy seeks to confuse and label us, but our identity is not in failure or past struggles. Instead, we must take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and focus on truth (Philippians 4:8-9). Our challenges are not our identity—God calls us to think differently, walk in freedom, and embrace our purpose with strength and perseverance.

A shield is the first line of protection against enemy attacks. Paul instructs us through this letter to “take up” our faith as a soldier would a shield, wielding and exercising our faith as protection against spiritual attacks. We speak God’s word over our lives and have faith in his promises, we surround ourselves with other believers and encourage each other’s faiths, and we keep our eyes on Jesus – the “pioneer and protector of our faith.”

Three times in his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul compels Christians to “stand firm” in the armor of God. He calls us to be ready and fit our feet with shoes of peace. For a soldier, shoes provide stability and mobility in battle. For us, peace stabilizes us in difficult circumstances and allows us to move through difficult circumstances in confidence. We find peace through knowing and experiencing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we make peace because of Jesus working through us, and we bring peace to people and situations to let God be known.

Within a suit of armor, the breastplate protects vital organs from attack and injury. Paul uses this example to remind the church of Ephesus to protect and guard themselves with the Breastplate of Righteousness. Righteousness, or right living, is first and foremost a gift from Jesus. When we act, talk, and think in line with the Bible and God’s commands, righteousness protects us from attack and begins to transform our lives. We are called by God to be made new creations, transformed by the Gospel, and trade our desires for God’s.

Today we dive into the first piece of the armor of God – the Belt of Truth. This small and strange piece of armor does more than we realize. Truth brings us stability and strength, supporting and holding us together amid life’s battles.

Our struggles are not just physical but spiritual, as we battle against unseen forces of darkness. Spiritual attacks often come before breakthroughs, bringing confusion, lack of peace, temptation, and the urge to quit. However, victory is possible through Christ when we use the right spiritual weapons: the power of Jesus’ name, the truth of God’s Word, agreement in prayer, and the strength of praise and worship. Stand firm in God’s strength—He is for you, and victory is yours!

Paul, writing to the thriving Christian community in Ephesus, emphasizes the reality of spiritual warfare and the necessity of relying on God’s strength. He urges believers to recognize their true enemy and stand firm by putting on the full armor of God. We have a part to play in this fight, and we can stand knowing that God has already won the battle.

Most Christians are familiar with the 10 Commandments: a list of rules given from God, to Moses, after He had rescued them from slavery in Egypt. These commandments are not merely rules for people of the past. God’s words are as relevant and powerful now as when first given, and the commandments He gave are vital for us to follow. Let your love and admiration of God put him first in all things, and analyze your priorities in the light of His salvation.