Faith is a shield against our bad thinking, against our tendency toward self reliance, against the world's indoctrination, and against the devil's schemes and flaming darts that he's constantly hurling at us.
We need a strategy of protection against the enemy's fiery darts. Paul exhorts us to take up the shield of faith. Faith begins where the will of God is known, so you can't have faith where you don't know what God has said.
We've previously established that a soldier puts on his armor in a particular order. The armor was strategically placed to physically protect him from harm or even death. Paul describes putting on spiritual armor in the same way, as a protection against the schemes of the devil.
So far, we're suited with the belt (of truth), the breastplate (of righteousness), and the shoes (of the Gospel of peace). We've taken up the shield (of faith); now the helmet, the sword, and prayer.
and take the helmet of salvation, Ephesians 6:17a NKJV
Before battle, this was the last piece of the armor to go on. The soldier would take up the helmet, fit it on his head in order to protect it from the blows of the enemy. Spiritually, the helmet of salvation protects the mind in much the same way. Paul was not talking about salvation here as the act of being saved, but instead he was speaking to those who were already saved, exhorting them to live from the lens of a saved person.
Although salvation is a one and done, taking up the helmet is not. Knowing you're saved protects your mind from the devil's deception of discouragement, doubt, temptation, defeat—and instead sets it on the Hope of victory. I don't know about you, but it's not always that simple for me. I know I'm saved because my heart belongs to Jesus yet the battle for my mind is real. One thing I know is that trying to win these battles myself proves to be defeating, only God can win them for me.
O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. Psalm 140:7 ESV
I think we either learn to ignore these thoughts (or medicate them), so much so that we become numb to them; or we go in the opposite direction and chastise ourselves into believing that we must think more positive thoughts, or say more positive mantras, or pick random scripture saying them over and over again. Be very careful beloved, I believe this is all part of the devil's scheme to keep you away from seeking the only One who can stop the madness. I've learned, or rather I'm learning, that the exercise of putting on my helmet is actually refocusing my eyes on Jesus.
Remember we may have battles, but we ultimately win the war over evil. Hope sustains you in the fight. Set your mind on Christ.
and [take up] the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:17b NKJV
Along with the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation, we take up the sword of the Spirit, the rhema (spoken) word of God. The sword is the only part of the armor that is offensive, everything else is defensive. The belt protects by holding everything together; the breastplate protects the heart; the shoes protect the feet in standing ready and firm; the shield protects against the fiery darts; the helmet protects the head against the constant blows of the enemy. But the sword, now that is all together different. It is used not only to defend, but to fight.
The sword is from the Spirit of God and He is more than willing to assist in using it. It's imperative that we take up the sword of God's word in order that we may use it to dispel the enemy's lies with truth. However, we can only speak it if we know it. This is very different from cherry picking random scripture and repeating it over and over again. It's using God's word as Jesus did in the wilderness (see Matthew 4). Each time the devil approached Him, He used His sword (God's word) to defeat the enemy's temptations and lies.
The devil won't stop trying to trip you up so keep sharpening your sword—never stop seeking God through His word and listen to His Spirit as He continues to deepen your understanding of Him.
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. Ephesians 5:18 NIV
Prayer connects all the parts of the armor. I believe we are in end times. The Lord is coming soon I'm sure of it. We may not know the day or the hour but we are surely in the fight of our lives against evil. Perhaps every generation could've said the same thing but ours is the closest to what we see in Revelation. We should have constant thought prayer. Most of us don't have to armor up physically, but ALL of us should suit up spiritually. Evil is tangible.
We can no longer turn a blind eye because it's easier than seeing. Or choose apathy or silence or relevance. The time to wake up is now. How could we not? We need to decipher the truth through the lens of God's word. He calls each of us to bring it to the ends of the earth in order that many be saved. He's not slow in coming, He is patient, but His patience won't last forever—at least not on this side of heaven. In His mercy, He is giving everyone an opportunity to turn away from sin and toward Him (2 Peter 3:9). Many are blinded to true freedom!
Paul, who was in chains, ends His letter asking for prayer to be able to fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel (v.19-20). He sent encouragement (v. 21-22), asking God to pour out His peace, His love, and His grace on all who love Jesus. (v. 23-24)
I hope you enjoyed our journey through Ephesians. My prayer is that you find yourself wanting more—more of Jesus.
I'd like to end kind of where we started. Maybe it's just me but I see a bit of a theme here. God used Paul to lay out our redemption story in this letter. In wisdom he split it in two. The first three chapters drive into the believer who Jesus is and who we are in Him; and only after we truly understand our position do we have the power to walk forward in our calling represented in the last three chapters.
Now to the armor, it seems to mirror the same concept. For the believer, the first three pieces of God's armor are already in place, put on at salvation (God's truth, the righteousness of Christ, and readiness of the gospel of peace.) It is only from the security of these pieces do the last three (faith, confidence of salvation, and the spoken word of God through you) have the power to stand against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Bask in your position—walk worthy of your calling—and for all that is holy, put on (and take up) the full armor of God, pray, and take your stand.
I'm not sure where God is leading us next. If you feel so led, please pray as I seek His direction.
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