What is the full armor of God?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The full armor of God equips believers to stand firm in the Lord and in His power against spiritual attacks, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18. This armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. These tools help us resist deception, temptation, and doubt, reminding us that our battle is not against people but against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Prayer activates and strengthens our armor, keeping us reliant on God's power rather than our own. By putting on the full armor daily, we can walk in victory, standing firm in Christ against every challenge.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The armor of God is not found in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the armor of God. In this passage we are told that our primary battles are of a spiritual nature and that we need spiritual armor to be able to stand firm in the midst of these battles.
• The armor includes the following pieces:
• Belt of truth: The belt of truth is the first item in our arsenal. A belt holds the other pieces of clothing and armor together. It secures the outfit and allows a soldier to move freely. Truth both secures us and gives us freedom (John 8:32). One of Satan's greatest offensive tactics is to deceive us; he is the "father of lies" (John 8:44). With the belt of truth around our waists, we are prepared to defend against this. This truth also applies to the way we live our lives. When we live with honesty and integrity, the other pieces of our armor – what could be considered our spiritual selves – stay intact. A life of integrity is not easily torn asunder.
• Breastplate of righteousness: The breastplate of righteousness covers our hearts and other vital organs. In a sense, the breastplate covers the most vulnerable areas of a warrior. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." The righteousness that guards a believer's heart is the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• Footwear of the readiness of the gospel: Our feet are to be "fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15 NIV). Because we know the good news of Christ and by that knowledge experience peace in Him (John 14:27), our feet are willing to move. In obedience to Christ, we will flee temptations (1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22) and walk into whatever He has called us to (Psalm 86:11; Isaiah 30:21; John 15:10).
• Shield of faith: The shield of faith is used to "extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16). When Satan attacks us, our faith in Christ lessens the blow. We are able to withstand the attack because we know whom we have believed (2 Timothy 1:12).
• Helmet of salvation: A helmet protects the brain, basically our minds. It is because of salvation that our minds can be sound. We are assured of eternity and made righteous recipients of peace, practitioners of faith, and knowers of truth. Our minds are protected because of Jesus' work on the cross; we have been given the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:12-16). A helmet can also serve as a signifier. When the enemy looks at us, he sees that we belong to Christ. We carry with us the seal of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14).
• Sword of the Spirit: The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. This includes God's written Word (the Bible), God's incarnate Word (Jesus as Logos), and God's spoken Word (the Holy Spirit within us). The sword is the one offensive weapon in the list. We are told, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). Second Timothy 3:16 (NIV) speaks of Scripture as being "God-breathed." When God spoke creation came into existence. He breathed life into man. There is power in the Word of God; this is why it is our best offense.
• Prayer: Prayer is an often forgotten part of the armor of God, but is essential to using the armor of God well. Prayer is the way we draw strength from and rely on God. In essence, it is what "activates" the armor. Apart from God and reliance on Him through prayer, our efforts in spiritual battle are ultimately futile. First Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to "pray without ceasing."

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

When we face challenges—whether it’s the temptation to lie at work, the pressure to conform to ungodly standards, or the battle against anxiety and doubt—the armor of God equips us to stand firm. The belt of truth helps us stay honest even when a small lie seems easier. The breastplate of righteousness protects our hearts when bitterness or anger try to take root. The shield of faith defends us when doubts creep in, reminding us that God is trustworthy. The sword of the Spirit, God's Word, gives us the wisdom to respond to life’s struggles with truth. This armor is essential because our battle is not against people but against spiritual forces that seek to deceive, discourage, and destroy (Ephesians 6:12). When we recognize this, we can resist the urge to fight in our own strength or see others as enemies; instead we can rely on God’s power to overcome the true source of sin and opposition. By depending on Him and using the tools He has given us, we can walk in victory, standing firm against the enemy’s attacks.

UNDERSTAND

• The armor of God equips believers to stand firm against the devil, sin, and spiritual attacks.
• The armor of God includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and God's Word.
• Prayer activates the armor, keeping us reliant on God's strength.

REFLECT

• Which piece of the armor of God do you find yourself relying on the most, and which one do you need to strengthen?
• How has the Word of God (the sword of the Spirit) helped you resist temptation or spiritual attacks in your life?
• What steps can you take to ensure you are putting on the full armor of God daily?

ENGAGE

• How do we sometimes try to fight spiritual battles in our own strength instead of relying on God’s power?
• How does understanding that our struggle is against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12) change the way we approach sin, conflicts with others, and other difficulties in life?
• What does God giving us the armor of God reveal about Him, and what is our role in using it?