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The armor of God is not a physical suit that you can buy off a store or have your local blacksmith craft; it is spiritual protection that comes from faith for a daily battle that you cannot see.
Understanding the meaning of the armor of Godis essential for believers because we are in a constant spiritual fight against the forces of darkness.
Living Life with Blinders On by Dr. Julius Mosley II warns that our real struggle is not against flesh-and-blood people. Our struggle is against invisible spiritual forces that seek to drag us into eternal damnation.
To survive, you must wear God’s armor every single day.
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The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
[B]ecause our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. —Ephesians 6:12)
Dr. Mosley explains that our world is quietly controlled by a great enemy, Satan, who wants to keep us blind to God’s truth and, thus, ignorant and blind.
This battle Satan wages against man and God is called spiritual warfare, which happens within our minds, our hearts, and our everyday choices. Without protection, we are easily tricked, hurt, and led away from God. Only by putting on the armor of Godcan we stand firm in this invisible war with a great evil.
The Belt of Truth that Holds Everything Together
Stand therefore, girding your waist with truth, —Ephesians 6:14
The first piece of the armor of God is the belt or girdle of truth.
In ancient times, a soldier’s belt held all his weapons and armor together. Without it, he would fall apart.
Truth does the same for our spiritual life.
Dr. Mosley writes that Satan is “the father of lies” who blinds people to the bright truth of heaven through the generous use of lies from the world, the media, and our own thoughts.
The belt of truth is God’s Word, the Bible, which is the only real truth.
When you know what God says, you can easily spot the enemy’s lies. You tie this truth around you daily by reading the Bible.
The belt of truth holds your spiritual life together so you don’t fall apart.
The Breastplate of Righteousness that Guards Your Heart
[And] putting on the breastplate of righteousness, —Ephesians 6:14
A breastplate protects a soldier’s heart and vital organs. Without it, he is merely a target made of flesh.
For us, the breastplate of righteousness is that which protects our spiritual heart—our inner life, feelings, and choices.
Dr. Mosley makes a key point: “You cannot please God with your body/vessel. It doesn’t matter how you dress it up… It’s still a cursed vessel.”
Therefore, we cannot make ourselves right with God by just trying to be good. True righteousness is gifted to us from God when we trust in Jesus fully and without doubt.
Putting on the breastplate of righteousness means trusting that Jesus makes you right with God.
It protects your heart from guilt, shame, and attack.
The Shield of Faith that Stops Every Attack
[In] everything taking up the shield of faith, with which you are able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one, —Ephesians 6:16
The shield of faith is perhaps the most active piece of the armor of God. Roman soldiers had large shields that could stop flaming arrows. Without it, they would be pierced easily, becoming pincushions, but not with needles but with arrows.
In our lives, the enemy shoots “fiery darts” of doubt, fear, temptation, and discouragement.
Dr. Mosley explains that real “faith must have a belief in someone or something; a reliance on a person who cannot lie.”
Your shield of faith comes from your active trust in God’s promises and your unwavering faith in Him to never stray you from the right path.
When a thought comes that says, “God doesn’t love you” or “this sin doesn’t matter,” you lift up your faith and be strengthened from these lies.
You trust what God says over what you feel or see.
This shield will protect you from any attack.
The Sword of the Spirit, Your Weapon to Fight Back
[And]…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, —Ephesians 6:17
The only weapon that comes with the armor of God is the sword of the Spirit. It is also the one that you are able to wield and perceive in the physical world, for the sword of the Spirit is precisely the Bible, God’s Word.
Dr. Mosley calls it “quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword.”
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You cannot win a spiritual battle with only your opinions or feelings; as such, you must fight back, armed with God’s truth. When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He fought back by quoting Scripture to him.
You must learn to do the same.
Knowing and speaking God’s Word is how you push back against the lies and the temptations that blanket the world.
The sword of the Spirit is not for attacking people, but it is for cutting through the enemy’s deception and setting people free.
Putting On the Full Armor of God Every Day
This armor does not work if it only stays in the closet.
You must choose to put it on every morning through prayer and time in the Bible.
Dr. Mosley says living without this knowledge is like “living life with blinders on.”
You will walk right into traps constantly, but when you wear the full armor of God, you can “resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).
You will be protected, strong, and ready for whatever the day brings in your spiritual warfare.
Protecting your faith is a daily choice.
The battle may be real, but God has given you everything you need to stand victorious.
Ready to remove your blinders and learn more about the spiritual battle? Dr. Julius Mosley II’s powerful book, Living Life with Blinders On: Living Life as God Intended, will teach you how to live fully aware and fully armed.
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