In our spiritual lives, we often face challenges that require special preparation. In the context of spiritual warfare, God provides us with tools to help us endure and triumph. Through the image of the Roman soldier putting on his armor, God shows us which elements are essential for standing firm in faith and not falling.
Girdle of Truth – Truth as a Protective Belt
Before we discuss the individual pieces of the spiritual armor, it’s important to understand what the armor of a Roman soldier looked like. In those days, warfare involved close combat, where soldiers needed to be agile and free from obstacles. A soldier’s armor was designed to protect him, but also to keep him unimpeded in battle.
- The girdle was essential: Not just for holding the soldier’s armor together, but for freedom of movement. Similarly, the truth of God holds everything together in our spiritual lives.
- The truth of God’s Word is a powerful tool to protect us in battle. The more we embrace it, the more prepared we are for spiritual warfare.
The truth of God’s Word helps us prepare for battle. The more we cling to the truth, the more equipped we are to face spiritual battles. In our spiritual journey, it is crucial to not pick and choose which truths we embrace. We must embrace all of God’s truths—nothing less. Every piece of truth helps protect us and prepare us for what lies ahead.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
The breastplate was another vital piece of armor for the Roman soldier. It covered and protected his heart, lungs, and other vital organs. In spiritual terms, this breastplate represents the righteousness of Christ.
- Not our own righteousness: Our personal efforts cannot protect us. Instead, we must rely on Christ’s righteousness to safeguard us in spiritual battles.
- Christ’s righteousness is our defense: When the enemy accuses us, we stand firm in the truth that we are saved by grace, not by our own merit.
It is not enough simply to live a righteous life or try to act righteously on our own. The true protection in spiritual warfare comes from hiding ourselves in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. In this battle, we cannot rely on our own righteousness, as we are weak and imperfect. Instead, we must continually trust in Christ’s righteousness, which is the only basis for our salvation and deliverance.
From the very start of our spiritual journey, we must trust in Christ’s righteousness. It’s not just when we are converted, but throughout our entire Christian life. When the enemy accuses us, telling us we don’t deserve to be saved, we can respond, “It is true that I am a sinner, but through Christ’s righteousness, I am forgiven and will be with Him forever.”
The Righteousness of Christ
Understanding the righteousness of Christ is foundational to standing firm in our spiritual battle. We must acknowledge that we are weak and sinful, but Christ is our strength. This trust in Christ’s righteousness does not stop at our conversion; it must continue throughout our entire walk with God.
- Relying on Christ’s righteousness: Our confidence is not based on our own deeds, but on Christ’s finished work on the cross.
- The enemy cannot defeat us: No matter how the enemy tries to attack, we have the ultimate defense through Christ’s righteousness.
When the devil tries to accuse us, we have an answer: “Yes, I am a sinner, but I am saved by grace. It is not my own righteousness, but the righteousness of Jesus Christ, that gives me confidence to stand before God.” This confidence is not based on our merit but on Christ’s work on the cross. By depending on His righteousness, we rise again, even after the enemy seeks to bring us down.
Your Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace
A Roman soldier’s boots were designed to protect his feet during battle and while marching. In spiritual terms, these boots represent the preparation of the gospel of peace.
- Gospel of peace: We are at peace with God through Christ’s work on the cross, which enables us to stand firm in the face of challenges.
- Peace as a foundation: The gospel gives us peace with God, and this peace empowers us to march forward, no matter the obstacles.
What does it mean to have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace? The gospel tells us that, as children of God, we are no longer enemies of God. Our sins are forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice, and we are at peace with God. This peace is what sustains us as we march forward in the journey of life and face spiritual conflict.
When we understand and hold firmly to the gospel of peace, we are equipped to face life’s challenges. We can march forward confidently, knowing that we are forgiven and that God is pleased with us for Christ’s sake. This peace gives us the strength to stand firm in battle and to keep moving forward toward our ultimate goal: heaven.
The Importance of the Gospel of Peace
The gospel of peace is the foundation of our spiritual armor. We are not called to depend on our own efforts or righteousness. Christ has done it all for us. His death on the cross paid the price for our sins, and through Him, we are reconciled to God. This is the preparation of the gospel of peace: knowing that, despite our shortcomings, we are loved and accepted by God for Christ’s sake.
- Gospel gives us confidence: As we stand in the peace that Christ offers, we can march forward with assurance.
- Foundation of our armor: This peace undergirds every part of our spiritual preparation.
When we hold onto this peace, it becomes our strength in both the march and the battle. It gives us the confidence to stand firm when the enemy attacks, knowing that we are secure in Christ.
This post is inspired by the book Counsel to Christians, G.M, which provides timeless wisdom on how to withstand spiritual challenges and remain steadfast in our faith.
