The armor of God provides complete protection

One of the most beautiful portions of Scripture regarding God’s protection is certainly the one in Psalms 91.

Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Psa 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

Psa 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Psa 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Psa 91:6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Psa 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Psa 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

Psa 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

Psa 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Psa 91:12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Psa 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Psa 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

Psa 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

Psa 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

God cares about His people and He wants to protect them as they go through life. He wants to be a refuge and a fortress to those who trust in Him. He wants to protect his people against all the works of the devil and from all kinds of pestilence and disease. He wants to shield His people from anything and everything that could possibly hurt them. When we enjoy this kind of protection there is no need to be afraid of anything. Thousands of people may fall all around us but those who are trusting the Lord shall not be afflicted in any way. They shall see other people who are afflicted but they themselves shall be preserved. All of this is available to those who trust in the Lord. No evil at all will be able to harm those believers and they shall never be afflicted by any plague. God will command his angels to protect those who trust in Him. Even the wild animals cannot harm those who trust in God. God will continue to deliver those who put their trust in Him those who continue to show their love for God. When believers call on God, He’ll always answer and He will be with them wherever they may go. God will provide those who trust in Him with long life.

Deuteronomy 28 confirms many of these things. The first 14 versus of the chapter describes all of the blessings which will come upon those who are obedient. However, there are more than 50 versus describing all of the curses which will come upon the disobedient. Fortunately, those curses do not apply to believers under the new covenant. 

Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Once again the sacrifice of Jesus has made all the difference. Even though we may fail God on a daily basis, Jesus Christ has already paid for those sins and all I need to do is to confess those sins in order to receive immediate forgiveness.

1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The apostle John has an encounter with Jesus Christ in Revelations chapter 1 and this portion of Scripture provides us with vital information regarding the armor of God.

Rev 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Rev 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Rev 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

Jesus is wearing a golden girdle which is the girdle of truth which is referred to by Paul in Ephesians chapter 6. Out of His mouth went a sharp two edged sword and this is the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. The interesting thing is that many Christians say that one should take this sword of the Spirit in his hand but this is not what Jesus did. The important thing is to have the word of God living in your heart and then to speak it in complete faith which turns it into a living sword with which the believer can defeat the devil every time. This is exactly what Jesus did when He was tempted by the devil. Jesus is wearing only the girdle and the sword but it should be remembered that Jesus is the Word of God and as such He knows what and who He is. He knows the devil has been defeated on the cross of Calvary and Jesus knows what the Word of God can do. By the Word of God everything was created and by that Word everything is maintained according to Hebrews chapter 1 verses two and three.

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

There has been a lot of speculation regarding the armor of God discussed by Paul in Ephesians chapter 6. Something which is often overlooked by Bible students is the fact that Paul repeats the words stand many times. Many Christians has this image about the fighting soldier in their minds. They forget that the Bible says in many places that the battle is not ours but the battle is the Lords. There is nothing which the believer can add to everything which God has done on the cross of Calvary. This is further explained in Hebrews chapter 3 and four where Paul speaks to believers about entering into the rest of God. He emphasizes that God’s works has been completed from the foundation of the world and that nothing can ever be added to what has already been done. The only thing which is required of believers is to trust the Lord completely.

In other words, Ephesians six is describing a Christian soldier which is standing firm on the promises of God knowing that the works of God has been completed and that absolutely nothing can be added to what has been done. When Jesus said on the cross that it is finished, that is exactly what Jesus meant. The prize has been paid in full and everything that God has commanded Jesus to do has been completed and there is absolutely nothing which believers can do to add to the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ.

When Paul is discussing the girdle of truth he is referring to Christians who have come to know the truth regarding the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and who knows that they have complete victory through Jesus.

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Jesus has said that those who remain in His word will know the truth and that the truth will set them free. In John chapter 6 verse 63 it is the word of God which brings life to the believer. Hebrews four verse 12 discuss the power of the word of God and how it is able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. Jesus is saying in John chapter 17 verse 17 that we sanctified by the truth of God’s word. Hebrews chapter 1 says that Jesus which is the word of God has created everything and He is also upholding all things by the word of His power. John chapter 1 says that Jesus is the word of God by whom everything was made. When we allow the creative force of God’s word to work in our lives everything and anything becomes possible to us. And this is why the girdle of truth is a mighty weapon.

The next piece of armor is that breastplate of righteousness.

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Galatians 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

When we belief in God our faith is counted onto us as righteousness. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness. Abraham believed God and it was accounted unto him as righteousness. Furthermore, if we confess our sins, God immediately forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness so that only righteousness remains. God made His own son Jesus Christ to be sin for us so that we may become the righteousness of God in Him. In Jesus Christ all believers had been declared righteous. Because of the substitutionary work of Jesus Christ, we can stand before God without any guilt or condemnation.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the price of our sins have been paid in full and there is no longer any guilt or condemnation and therefore believers have full access to the throne room of God. There is no longer any reason to be guilty or to feel unworthy because this will be unbelief and we know that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). The reality is that God is on our side and as long as we continue to trust in Him the devil is powerless to do us any harm. This is why the breastplate of righteousness is a mighty weapon.

One of the most misunderstood pieces of armor is the one about having your feet shod with the shoes for the preparation of peace. Everyone thinks this is speaking about mission work and evangelism. But remember, Paul has said repeatedly in Ephesians 6 that believers have to stand, stand, stand on the promises and the word of God. This does not mean that people should not evangelize the world but this is not what Ephesians chapter 6 is talking about. The shoes for the preparation of peace has a much more powerful function. A constant struggle for many believers is when they think that they are unworthy and that God is constantly angry with them. Because of this they never have confidence to do anything for God. The function of the shoes for the preparation of peace is to provide the believer with protection against the devil. It is knowing that Jesus has made peace between God and sinners by his sacrifice on the cross.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

John chapter 3 tells us that God has loved the world so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die for the sins of the whole world. We have now been justified by His blood and therefore God is no longer angry with us.

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Jesus have reconciled sinners to God through His own blood. The full price of our sins has been paid and there is no longer any obstacles between God and the believer. There are no longer any condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Jesus has made peace between us and God through the blood of his cross. There is no reason for believers to be guilty or to feel condemnation or to allow any form of separation between them and God because of sins which has been committed. God is no longer angry but because of the sacrifice of Jesus there is now peace between God and this creation. Understanding that favorable relationship with God is a mighty weapon in the hands of the believer.

The next weapon is that shield of faith. Once again there are many believers that talk about having this shield in their right hand. They are also talking about the need to constantly move forward in order to ensure that the devil cannot attack them in their backs. Fortunately, there is a better way. God is not only protecting what is in front. In fact, God protects us on every side.

Psa 125:1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

Psa 125:2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

Those who trust in the Lord will be like an unmovable mountain which endure forever. In fact, just like the mountains surround Jerusalem so the Lord surround his people. You do not need to remain in attack mode in order to be fully protected. As a long as you trust in God and stand firm on the promises revealed in His Word absolutely nothing can touch you. With the shield of faith, you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Nothing will be able to get through your shield of faith.

Psalms 3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

When you trust in God He Himself becomes your shield and absolutely nothing can touch you ever. Just remember Peter walking on the water, a wonderful miracle taking place until Peter started to note the strong wind and high waves and he start to doubt the power and authority of Jesus’s words. Walking in faith simply means that you have complete trust in the goodness and the mercy of God. It does not matter what kind of diagnosis you receive from your doctor. God has said, I am the lord that heals you. The question is whom are you going to believe. Remember the warning of Paul in the book of Romans.

Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

If you allow your life to be ruled by the things which people are saying, then you are in trouble. As a believer the only thing which is important is what does the word of God say. When your mind is full of doubt then it is not in unity with God’s word. You are becoming an enemy of God and His way of living when you consider external things to be more important than those things which God has revealed in his Word. Remember the Sword which is issuing from the mouth of Jesus. Jesus will never say anything which is not in line with the word of God because that would be compromise, something which Jesus is simply unable to do because it is impossible for Him to be untrue to his own divine nature.

Jam 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

God and his son Jesus Christ never changes, never deviates or change Their tune.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

The next piece of armor is the helmet of salvation. We as believers should know without a shadow of doubt that we are saved.

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Remember the criminal that was hanging next to Jesus on the cross. When that man realized his hopeless situation, he turned to Jesus and he was not turned away in his hour of crisis. In fact, Jesus said to him, I am telling you today, you will be with Me in paradise. The moment this criminal called on the name of Jesus he received instant forgiveness and the same thing will happen with any person who come to realize his need for salvation and forgiveness.

2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God is in the business of saving people because He doesn’t want anyone to be lost. This is the reason why He sent His son Jesus Christ to suffer on the cross of Calvary. Knowing that you have been saved by the grace of God is a powerful weapon which can be successfully used to resist the lies of the devil.

The last weapon is the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Many Christians fail to understand how powerful the Word of God is and how highly esteemed the Word of God is.

Psa 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

God is placing His Word above His own name. Why is this? The only way in which people can come to know and understand the person and the nature of God is by reading the word of God. I believe this is one of the primary reasons why God is feeling so strong about His word. By this all powerful Word has all things being created and the Word also maintains or upholds all things. Therefore, it should not be surprising that God is constantly reminding His people to obey His commandments. This is not done because God is a spoilsport. The commandments are there in order to protect God’s people. God’s word is the blueprint on which everything is resting. If you were to remove the word of God right now all creation will cease to exist instantaneously. And this is why the following Scriptures is so important.

Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Deu 11:18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.

Deu 11:19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Deu 11:20 And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:

Deu 11:21 That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Jam 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

1Jo 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

When we fill our hearts with the word of God we are becoming impregnated by the Seed or the Sperm of God. Only then do we truly become born again when our hearts are overflowing with the word of God. When our hearts are so full of the Word of God that it becomes just about impossible to deviate from that Word. When we finally come to realize exactly what the plans of God is and what He has planned for His creation from the start. The armor of God is providing the believer with all the protection which they will ever need. When we stand on the promises of God and refuse to be moved anything and everything becomes possible. Jesus Himself said, to him who believe nothing shall be impossible. However, faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God. Romans 10:17. In order to be victorious believers we need to stay in the Word of God. However, when we do God is backing us up all the way.

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