What Christians Can Learn about the ‘Armor of God’

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10-13, NIV)

And then comes the armor itself: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and finally “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17, NIV).

It is that final piece of armor that has always stood out to me. No matter how much I pull from the passage’s depth, I am continually reminded of one simple truth:

We only have one offensive weapon at our disposal.

Have you ever noticed that?

All the other pieces of armor are for defense. Only a sword – Scripture – has been given to us for offense. And the Greek word used by Paul for sword referred to a fighting dagger, the kind used in close, hand-to-hand combat.

This is how Jesus used it. Do you recall how Jesus resisted Satan when He was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days?

Over and over again to whatever the temptation, whatever the lie, whatever the enticement, Jesus responded the same each and every time: 

“It is written....”

In the end, noting the unyielding power of Jesus’ use of Scripture, Satan tried to use a terrible twisting of Scripture to tempt Jesus. Satan himself began by saying, “It is written,” and then proceeded to quote a verse ripped terribly from its context that had nothing to do with what he was suggesting.

And how did Jesus respond? 

To Satan’s twisting of Scripture, Jesus rebuked him with a correct understanding of what Scripture really did say. The tense of the verb Jesus used when saying “It is written” was an intensive perfect, which has an interesting connotation to it within the Greek language. It indicates that what was written in the past has an abiding, ongoing value. 

In other words, Jesus said that what has been written in the Scriptures remains written. They are an unchanging, constant guide to life and therefore speak to anyone or anything that challenges their truth.

So, have you ever wondered why the Bible is so attacked in our world?

Why people are tempted to not read it, meditate on it or apply it?

Why pastors and teachers are tempted to twist it and water it down to make it more popular or less challenging?

Why secular media are tempted to ridicule it and dismiss it as little more than the feeble, fallible musings from the distant, uneducated, pre-scientific, unsophisticated past?

It’s simple.

It’s because Satan knows that it is our primary offensive weapon. 

He knows it from Ephesians. And beyond that, he knows it from experience. He gave Jesus his best shot, but it was Jesus who drew blood.

Satan knows firsthand how the Scriptures are the dagger that can rip holes in his schemes, shred his attacks, and pierce through his lies. 

It’s the one weapon that can cause him to flee because it’s how we fight back.

As the author of Hebrews writes: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow…” (Hebrews 4:12, NIV).

And looking back to the passage from Ephesians, we’re reminded that it’s a serious struggle we’re in. We need to know our true enemy and put on the full armor of God. It would be foolish to enter into battle unprepared. 

And while there’s an old line that says you should never bring a knife to a gunfight, let’s add just one disclaimer: 

… unless that knife is the Word of God.

James Emery White

Editor’s Note

This blog was last published in 2018, and the Church & Culture Team thought you would enjoy reading it again.

Photo Courtesy: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/SerhiiBobyk

Published Date: August 19, 2024 

James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC, and a former professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president. His latest book, Hybrid Church: Rethinking the Church for a Post-Christian Digital Age, is now available on Amazon or from your favorite bookseller. To enjoy a free subscription to the Church & Culture blog, visit churchandculture.org where you can view past blogs in our archive, read the latest church and culture news from around the world, and listen to the Church & Culture Podcast. Follow Dr. White on X, Facebook, and Instagram at @JamesEmeryWhite.