Question about the armor of God

[ChowdersMom]

Is there any spiritual significance to the order in which the pieces of armor are listed in Ephesians 6?

In other words, are there sound spiritual reasons that we should put on the pieces in that order each day?

 

[DInsight]

Grace and peace unto all!

Yes, there are "spiritual reasons", just as with all things or principles given in the Scripture, in the order that parts of the armour are put on.

It starts from Ephesians 1... from obtaining salvation and doing some other things that constitute the will of God, unto FINALLY being strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

After doing the above, the brethren put on the WHOLE amour of God in order to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Schemes (wiles - KJV) of the devil occur in the realm of faith up to when a Christian grows into sonship (kingdom of God).

Therefore, the whole armour illustrates the faith of God. Parts of the whole armour show clearly what things constitute the faith of God.

1. Truth to girt the loin - this is the word of truth that declares the promise (from all good things that make the riches of grace) of faith. All truths are powers and can be used interchangeably. Truth (power) is spoken (orally ministered) as the gospel.
2. Righteousness as breastplate - the righteousness of faith gives the power. There is much that can be said about the righteousness of faith. However, suffice the above.
3. Preparation of the gospel - this is often confused with feet that carry the gospel. Nevertheless, in this case, it is as writen... for there is indeed a certain "preparation" of the gospel of peace, which is repentance from sins. Peace is of the kingdom of God.

You'll notice a break in Ephesians 6:16. Above parts of the armour describe what fits directly over and protects the body (from neck down to the feet) of the Christian like a garment.

Above all (listed above) is the shield of faith that is hand held... the Holy Ghost thus signifying that faith has more than the truth, righteousness and a certain preparation. Indeed, there are three more things of faith that are also consistent with scriptures.

In Ephesians 6:17, we see that the rest part of the whole armour fit over and come from the head of the Christian:

1. The helmet of salvation is the goal of faith that fits as the crown over the head. Salvation is not faith, but the end (goal) of faith.
2. The Sword of the Spirit is the word of God. The word of God, as can be seen, is a completely different part from, say, the word of truth that declares the promise of faith. The word of God is the power of God that declares godliness. There is much that can be said about this. Suffice to leave it as above.
3. Praying in the Spirit (by oneself, with all saints and for leadership) is the only part of the armour that requires input from the bearer of the armour. Yet, the bearer prays in the Spirit. There is much to say about the "Spirit". Suffice to leave it as above.

Therefore, we see faith, kingdom of God and godliness contribute to the whole armour that a believer must put on to fight against the schemes of devil. Each is the Son of God. He is also the eternal life in the world to come. Amen!

 

[J4Jesus]

DInsight

I'm glad you mentioned praying in the Sprit. Most do not even consider that. The way the chapters and verses are some stop reading too soon .But they should continue. It is the 7th part of the armour.I have shared a long time how important it is. We need the WHOLE armour and if we are not praying in the sprit we are minus one piece and we can be vulnerable. We are to give no place to the devil to slip in.

 

[ChowdersMom]

Thank you, Dinsight and J4Jesus.

 

[ChowdersMom]

Even if there's disagreement on the place of praying in the Spirit, we know that it is one of the weapons of our warfare, right?

 

[tturt]

Thanks for post - read Eph several times but never saw the "in the spirit" aspect of praying in that verse.

Since God inhabits the praises of His people, like to think of praises to God as the armour's undergarment.

 

[DInsight]

DInsight

I'm glad you mentioned praying in the Sprit. Most do not even consider that. The way the chapters and verses are some stop reading too soon .But they should continue. It is the 7th part of the armour. I have shared a long time how important it is. We need the WHOLE armour and if we are not praying in the sprit we are minus one piece and we can be vulnerable. We are to give no place to the devil to slip in.

J4Jesus:
Indeed, praying in the Spirit is one of major weapons given that declaring the righteousness of God is a direct work of the Spirit. Who can best fight an unclean spirit or the father of evil spirits (the Devil) than the Spirit of God?

ChowdersMom: You are very welcome and blessings from God unto you.

Dear forumites, please always remember that the word "finally... Ephesians 6:10" implies that there are some things that precede the wearing of the armour.

Without doing those things, wearing the whole armour to fight is like dressing up a mannequin for a fierce fight at the battle frontline.

 

[riverpastor]

Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Colossians 3:9-10 - ...seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him...​

The appropriation of the armor of God is through an act of Grace.

When you put on Christ, you put on that which belongs to you through Christ, Who is in you and works through you.

He is our belt of Truth.
He is our breastplate of Righteousness.
He is our preparation of the Gospel of Peace.
He is our helmet of Salvation.
He is our Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

As you put on your new identity in Christ, you are prepared with the Victory that has already been obtained for you... that Victory works its way in you and through you by Grace... God's power and ability to do in you and through you what alone only God can do.

We don't fight because we do not yet have victory... we fight because we already have the victory.

The Word, which has already defeated all the wiles of the enemy, is forever settled in Heaven.

He has already defeated the enemy. We are to walk in that which has already been secured for us by and through Christ... our Victor... who dwells and walks and lives in us.

Put off the old man... with his doubt and unbelief and wavering and insecurity and fear...

and put on the new man... who exudes faith and power and security and peace and prosperity in all things in and through Christ.

 

[CPilgrimRealtor]

Wow, great stuff. I have been so diligent in putting on the armor, but realized have have missed some key points. I am learning the value of this site. Some much input. Thanks.

 

[Optimax]

Is there any spiritual significance to the order in which the pieces of armor are listed in Ephesians 6?

In other words, are there sound spiritual reasons that we should put on the pieces in that order each day?

The order that the armor is put on is the order of the revelation on each subject we need to be effective in standing.

The importance is not the armor but the revelation or understanding of the subject the armor represents.

 

[Father Rick]

Is there any spiritual significance to the order in which the pieces of armor are listed in Ephesians 6?

In other words, are there sound spiritual reasons that we should put on the pieces in that order each day?

Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.​

Colossians 3:9-10 - ...seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him...​

The appropriation of the armor of God is through an act of Grace.

When you put on Christ, you put on that which belongs to you through Christ, Who is in you and works through you.

He is our belt of Truth.
He is our breastplate of Righteousness.
He is our preparation of the Gospel of Peace.
He is our helmet of Salvation.
He is our Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

As you put on your new identity in Christ, you are prepared with the Victory that has already been obtained for you... that Victory works its way in you and through you by Grace... God's power and ability to do in you and through you what alone only God can do.

We don't fight because we do not yet have victory... we fight because we already have the victory.

The Word, which has already defeated all the wiles of the enemy, is forever settled in Heaven.

He has already defeated the enemy. We are to walk in that which has already been secured for us by and through Christ... our Victor... who dwells and walks and lives in us.

Put off the old man... with his doubt and unbelief and wavering and insecurity and fear...

and put on the new man... who exudes faith and power and security and peace and prosperity in all things in and through Christ.

I think Riverpastor really hit it right on here...

It's not about a "magic formula" of saying "I put on the helmet of salvation..." but rather it is about being continually clothed with Christ. It's about growing in our knowledge of who He is and who we are in Him. We are to be fully immersed in who He is-- and in that way every part of who we are is covered by His grace and mercy.