If you are a Christian, you are constantly at war. Not because you are attacked physically, but because spiritual forces try to lure you away from God. To protect you, God offers you spiritual armor. This reading plan explains what this armor of God looks like and how you can use it.
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Day 1
Scriptures: Ephesians 6:10-13, Colossians 2:13-15
The armor of God
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)
Paul writes to the church in Ephesus. At the end of his letter, he urges his readers to “put on the whole armor of God”. Not because they are attacked physically, but because life as a Christian is a constant spiritual battle against Satan and his servants, who try to lead us away from God. The armor of God is necessary to protect us against the schemes of these evil spiritual powers.
Against supernatural adversaries, we need supernatural power. Therefore Paul urges his readers to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (verse 10). Only He has the power to defeat Satan: “Having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15, NIV).
Christ offers believers spiritual armor, that they should put on to protect themselves. Let’s discuss this armor piece by piece during the coming days, and see what important lessons Paul teaches us here.
Day 2
Scriptures: Ephesians 6:14, John 8:31-47
Abiding in the truth
“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth” (Ephesians 6:14)
The first element of the armor of God is “the belt of truth”. In order to understand why a belt would be important in battle, we need to know that Roman soldiers wore loose-fitting tunics. These clothes could hinder a soldier’s movement in battle, and were therefore tied with a belt around his waist. Without a belt, one could easily stumble – which is extremely dangerous in battle.
Likewise, Christians who don’t know the truth, can easily “stumble”. They are easily misled by Satan, who is called “the father of lies” (John 8:44) and makes them believe false teaching. Moreover, these believers are easily sidelined by adversity, because they know little about God and spiritual life.
Knowing and understanding God’s truth, as it is revealed in the Bible, is of fundamental importance for a Christian. In John 8, Jesus says: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Are you protected by the belt of truth?
Day 3
Scriptures: Ephesians 6:14, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Romans 5:16-18
The gift of righteousness
“…having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14)
A breastplate protects a soldier’s heart – which metaphorically is the residence of one’s emotions.
The “breastplate of righteousness” is therefore meant to protect our feelings. All too often, Satan tries to lead us astray. On the one hand, we can become proud of ourselves: see how good a Christian I am; God will surely be pleased with me! On the other hand, some may have difficulty trusting that Jesus has really saved them: I am such a wretch… could God really love me? Can I really be sure of my salvation?
The protection against these misleading emotions is Christ’s righteousness. Our salvation does not depend on ourselves, but only on the righteousness God imputes on us! “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin [that is Jesus Christ], so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Martin Luther called this “the great exchange”: Jesus takes our sins, we get his righteousness. That’s how believers stand right with God – no matter what the devil tells them.
Have you accepted Jesus’ righteousness as a free gift of God?
Day 4
Scriptures: Ephesians 6:15, Acts 4:1-31
The Gospel is worth everything
“…and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15)
Shoes are indispensable for standing firm. Similarly, standing firm in the faith is possible only through the Gospel by which you have found peace with God. If you made the conscious decision to walk in the way of the Lord and to live according to his Gospel, you can hold your ground.
Without this Gospel of peace, you are vulnerable to the criticism of others and tend to conform to their views or regulations. Maybe you are afraid that your Bible-based norms and values might hurt others’ feelings. Or you are ashamed of your faith or worry that it might hinder your career. You tend to make compromises, and slowly but surely you slide away from the path of eternal life.
Christians can only stand firm if they “put on the readiness given by the Gospel of peace”. They are to be convinced that this Gospel is worth everything, including the difficulties and responsibilities that may come. Have you already put your shoes on?
Day 5
Scriptures: Ephesians 6:16, 2 Timothy 1, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
Protective faith
“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16)
Satan is very real, and his attacks are very real as well. They are compared to flaming darts; meant to injure us and cause us to lose our passion and zeal for our Saviour and Lord. But God offers us protection by the shield of faith, with which we can extinguish and ward off these flaming darts.
The devil is very mean. He attacks us directly or via people around us. Paul knew that from experience, for example when he was imprisoned and suffered (a clear example of a direct attack), and in that difficult time many fellow believers turned away from him (an indirect attack) (see 2 Timothy 1).
The shield of faith helps in two ways: it allows us to see through the devil’s attacks, and it helps us seek refuge in our God who is mightier than Satan and “will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Do you see through Satan’s attacks? And do you use the shield of faith to protect yourself?
Day 6
Scriptures: Ephesians 6:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Revelation 21:1-4, Revelation 22:1-4
Hope for the future
“And take the helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17)
Satan often attacks believers’ thoughts about their future with God. He wants them to doubt God’s promises, to doubt whether they will really go to heaven after their death. These thoughts can be extremely discouraging, and can take away our joy and assurance of faith.
The helmet of the hope of salvation can protect our thoughts, and thus our hope for the future. The joyful expectation of eternal life in the Lord’s presence and the assurance of God’s promises about new heavens and a new earth, give hope and the power to endure. Christians are like the Israelites during their desert journey: the circumstances are sometimes hard, it is not always easy to keep going, but they continue because they know their final destination is worth it and God sustains them on their journey.
The helmet of salvation can give you the right perspective on life. If you feel discouraged or confused about the difficulties you face, read for example Revelation 21 and 22. Allow this vision of God’s future salvation to fill you with hope and endurance again.
Day 7
Scriptures: Ephesians 6:17, James 4:7-8, Luke 4:1-13
Fighting back!
“… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17)
We have already read about various pieces of the armor of God that protect us against Satan’s attacks. Today’s piece, the sword of the Spirit, is not just meant as protection but also to keep the enemy away or even wound him. Read James 4:7 – “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”. We are not helpless!
The best example of using this sword is given by Jesus. When Satan tempted him in the desert, Christ responded to every temptation by quoting a relevant passage of Scripture. Whenever Satan told a lie or a partial truth, Jesus responded with the phrase: “It is written…” and then cited some verses from the Bible that exposed Satan’s lies. After three attempts, the devil left him. God’s Word is so powerful that Satan has to give up and flee.
This sword of the Spirit thus means quoting or echoing God’s trustworthy word whenever you face Satan’s lies. That requires a deep knowledge of the Bible. Only then are you prepared for battle, and only then are you able to resist the devil.
Are you experienced in using the sword of the Spirit?
Day 8
Scriptures: Ephesians 6:18, Ephesians 6:10, Luke 18:1-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
Fighting in God’s strength
“… praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:18)
The armor of God can only be effectively used if we live in connection with God. It’s his armor after all, something He offers us and encourages us to put on. We cannot separate the sword of the Spirit or the helmet of salvation from the Lord himself. Nor can we use them in our own strength.
A primary means of connection to God is prayer. Paul encourages us to pray “at all times”, that means on every fitting occasion and for everything that requires prayer. These prayers include worship and confession of our sins, but also prayer for our needs and the needs of others around us. Regular habits of prayer, living closely with God and sharing everything with him, strengthens our connection to him. That way, we receive “the strength of his might” (Ephesians 6:10).
Throughout the Bible, we read many exhortations to pray always and not lose heart (Luke 18:1), to pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18), and so on. Jesus also lived that way; He frequently spent time in prayer.
Do you have healthy prayer habits?