The Armour of God and the coat of protection

Every day as we walk out of the door and begin the day, we face challenges with each turn that we take. If we have been around in this world for any length of time, we would have discovered that hurt finds a way to find us eventually. It’s what we do in these times that can either keep us stuck wearing the coat of protection; our hurts, disappointments, failures to achieve, frustrated moments, anger, resentments, and fears. Our coat of protection keeps us distanced from those that could hurt us or develop us or grow us. Our coat keeps us safe from the hurt and the help. It may keep the bad stuff out, but it keeps the growth out too. It is in the times of challenge, when we may experience hurt, pain, frustrations, and disappointments that we have opportunities to grow in God. God wants us to grow. He needs us to grow into the plans He has for us. It is up to us to shake off the coat of protection and put on the armour of God so that we are ready to face whatever is before us. Are you ready? What is it that you are wearing today? Are you wearing the armour of God? Are your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace? Have you protected yourself with the breastplate of righteousness? Have you taken up the shield of faith to bounce off those flaming arrows, or the helmet of and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God? Are you ready to face today? We are fighting a spiritual battle in a time where the physical distractions of the shiny and sparkling things of the world are all around us. It is so important to walk out our faith with our eyes fixed on Jesus. Our physical eyes can see the things of this world that can hurt and harm us, but our spiritual eyes can see the things our God can do, has done, and will continue to do in this battle that is our daily walk. We don’t have to know the outcome; we just need to keep our focus on the one who does. Paul wrote the book of Ephesians to draw our attention to the spiritual battle that exists in the invisible, unseen realm, and to remind us of the inner strength we each carry through our relationship with God through Christ. We often read Ephesians 6:10-17 and leave it there. Verse 18 speaks to prayer with Paul goes into the importance of this last element of our Armour. He reminds us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests, to be alert and pray for all the Lord’s people. Paul also asks the people to pray for him so that when he speaks, words may be given to him so that he will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel for which he is an ambassador. We to are ambassadors for God. How fearless are you in making known the mystery of the gospel? Do you ask others to pray for you to have the words to speak, the courage to step out in faith and the trust to obey the calling to do so? Is this an area in your life where you are hiding under your coat? Are there other areas where this might be true? Let’s step out in our Armour today and stand firm in the confidence we have in Jesus.

For Discussion

What would you say was the most important piece of the Armour of God and why?

Why is putting on the Armour of God important?

How would you explain the Armour of God to someone who does not yet know God?

Who would you consider to be the best examples in the bible of using the Armour of God?

Further Reading

Ephesians 6:10-20

John 10:27

Romans 8:14

Romans 10:17