When I put on the armor of God, what am I protecting myself from? Paul says in Ephesians 6:12, it’s not flesh and blood that we’re fighting, but something else. He clarifies we are fighting “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Spiritual Wickedness Identified
What kind of attributes do these principalities, powers and rulers of darkness have? What is their modus operandii? They are not smarter than us, but they are more cunning. The clues for defeating them lie in their behavior.
How can we identify the behavior of such entities? The answer is found in the attributes of the armor pieces themselves. The opposite attribute. The opposite attributes of each piece of armor reveals to us our enemies ways and means.
Armor Attributes
The armor pieces are belt, vest, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword. Their corresponding attributes are listed below.
- Belt > Truth
- Vest > Righteousness
- Shoes > Peace
- Shield > Faith
- Helmet > Salvation
- Sword > The Spirit and Word of God
Let’s look at the opposite of each of these attributes to see how the enemy works.
Truth
First and foremost, we are called to gird ourselves or wrap around our waist like a belt, truth. What is the opposite of truth? Lies, deception, falseness, fake news, dishonesty, incompetence and corruption.
Righteousness
Second, we will put on a breastplate, similar to a bullet-proof vest. This vest is composed of righteousness, integrity and honor. It’s opposite would be dishonor, blasphemy, and irreverence driven by wickedness and self-righteousness.
Peace
Third, we’ll put on the shoes or sandals of the gospel and walk in peace. Discord, conflict, war and hate motivates the enemy, not us.
Faith
Next, we will hold up a shield of faith. Protecting ourselves from the fiery arrows of the enemy. Those arrows of opposition sow doubt, disloyalty, and unbelief, which feeds on weakness and uncertainty.
Salvation
Sixth, we will cover our head with the helmet of salvation. Salvation will make us invulnerable to the opposing forces of destruction, ruin and death. Jesus saved us, rescued us, and protects us from these forces. That’s why we call him our Savior. His death and resurrection made destruction, ruin, and death no longer apply to those who have faith in Jesus.
The Spirit and Word of God
Finally, we take in our hand the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God. God’s word and the way of the Spirit cut away, discern, and reveal the ungodly words and ways of wicked men and evil forces. Their words and deceptive ways lead to chaos and lawlessness. Their ends is utter misery for all.
Defeating God’s Enemies
Every day we are up against forces of deception of the highest order, at the highest levels of our world. These forces infiltrate the minds and hearts of our fellow men and women, knowingly and unknowingly. Yet, each day we can joyfully put on God’s armor and know exactly how to recognize these forces—our enemies—and how to move around them.
Knowing the enemy means we have won half the battle. Jesus has done the rest. He already won victory for us by overcoming this world and death. Live your life today like that is so for yourself too. Because it is.
Armor up and bring on the day! — vkw
This article was inspired by Holy Spirit’s message to me, “Put on the armor of God every morning and wait for Me.” April 23, 2023
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. — Ephesians 6:12
