Armor Up!

The Significance of the Armor of God for those who Believe and Follow.

By: Bishop Dr. Donald A. Horne, Sr.

In Ephesians 6:10-18, the Apostle Paul teaches believers to stand strong in spiritual warfare by putting on “the Whole Armor of God.” This armor represents spiritual truths and daily practices that protect and empower us (the Believer-follower) to live faithfully.

The Armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17, KJV)

Significance (1) The Belt of Truth

Scripture (Ephesians 6:14a, KJV):
“having your loins girt about with truth”

Meaning:
The belt holds everything together. In the same way, truth is what stabilizes the believer. This includes:

• God’s truth in His Word
• Living honestly and with integrity
• Rejecting deception and hypocrisy

Why it matters:
Satan is a liar, and truth keeps you from being spiritually “loose,” confused, and misled.

Application:
Ask daily: Am I walking in truth before God and people?

Significance (2) The Breastplate of Righteousness

Scripture (Ephesians 6:14b, KJV):
“and having on the breastplate of righteousness”

Meaning:
The breastplate protects the heart and vital organs. Righteousness protects your spiritual life from accusations and temptation.

This speaks of:

• Christ’s righteousness credited to you (salvation)
• A righteous lifestyle practiced by you (obedience)

Why it matters:
When you live in compromise, your heart becomes exposed to guilt, shame, and condemnation.

Application:
Live clean, repent quickly, and don’t entertain sin.

Significance (3) Your Shoes: The Gospel of Peace

Scripture (Ephesians 6:15, KJV):
“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

Meaning:
Shoes help you stand firm and move forward. The gospel gives you:

• Stability in trials
• Readiness to witness
• Peace with God and peace in your heart

Why it matters:
The enemy wants to keep you unsettled, offended, fearful, and spiritually stuck.

Application:
Walk daily remembering - I have peace with God through Jesus Christ, and I carry that peace into the world.

Significance (4) The Shield of Faith

Scripture (Ephesians 6:16, KJV):
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

Meaning:
A shield blocks arrows. Faith blocks the enemy’s attacks, called “fiery darts,” such as:

• Doubt
• Fear
• Condemnation
• Temptation
• Discouragement
• Confusion

Why it matters:
Faith doesn’t deny the battle - it deflects the attack by trusting God’s promises.

Application:
When the devil shoots a lie, lift your shield and say:

“God is faithful.”
“His Word is true.”
“I will not fear.”

Significance (5) The Helmet of Salvation

Scripture (Ephesians 6:17a, KJV):
“And take the helmet of salvation”

Meaning:
The helmet protects the head - your mind. Salvation guards you from mental attacks, especially:

• hopelessness
• shame
• confusion
• despair
• identity lies (ref: personal characteristics)

Why it matters:
The enemy fights hardest in the mind. When you know you are saved and belong to Christ, you can stand strong.

Application:
Remind yourself daily: I am redeemed, forgiven, and kept by God’s power.

Significance (6) The Sword of the Spirit (The Word of God)

Scripture (Ephesians 6:17b, KJV):
“and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

Meaning:
This is the only offensive weapon. The Word of God allows you to:

• fight back - against lies
• speak truth - boldly
• resist - temptation
• tear down - strongholds

Jesus used this same weapon when tempted in the wilderness:

“It is written” (Matthew 4)

Why it matters:
You cannot defeat spiritual attacks with feelings - you defeat them with Scripture.

Application:
Learn the Word, speak the Word, and obey the Word.

Significance (7) The Power Connector Beneath the Armor: Prayer

Paul immediately adds prayer as the believer’s spiritual lifeline armor connector to the Spirit's power.

Scripture (Ephesians 6:18, KJV):
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…”

Meaning:
Prayer is the connection line for the activation of the armor. You can have your armor on, but without prayer you will fight from a state of weakness without spiritual power.

Application:
Pray daily, pray specifically, pray consistently-and stay spiritually alert.

 (8)The Soldier's Synopsis - What the Armor Does

1.Truth: The belt that holds your life together.

2. Righteousness: The breastplate that guards your heart.

3. Peace: The shoes that stabilize your walk.

4. Faith: The shield that extinguishes the enemy's attacks.

5. Salvation: The helmet that protects your mind.

6. The Word: The sword that secures your victory.

7. Prayer: The lifeline that connects you to Spirit's power.