I've loved studying the armour of God Scriptures in Ephesians 6 this year. These verses are like nuggets of gold as the Apostle Paul lays out his instruction for the Christian as we face spiritual warfare.
Each month, I've taken a look at the individual items of armour listed by Paul and focused on how they equip, enable, protect and defend the Christian soldier. For August, I've removed the "points for reflection and insight" sections and combined the poetry verses to create one poem.
I pray you find this writing encouraging and uplifting as we go into a new week. Whatever you're facing today, greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. Armour up, dear Christian! Our Saviour has the victory!
Ephesians 6:10-18Each month, I've taken a look at the individual items of armour listed by Paul and focused on how they equip, enable, protect and defend the Christian soldier. For August, I've removed the "points for reflection and insight" sections and combined the poetry verses to create one poem.
I pray you find this writing encouraging and uplifting as we go into a new week. Whatever you're facing today, greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. Armour up, dear Christian! Our Saviour has the victory!
The Whole Armour of God
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Brethren, we are in a battle. We do not have time to waste.
Clocks are ticking loudly now, and we must armour up, post-haste.
First, we must be strong in Jesus and the power of His might.
Foolish is the one who thinks their strength could ever win this fight.
Not against the flesh, we wrestle, though the flesh can bring us woe.
Brethren, we engage in warfare with a fiercer, darker foe.
One who seeks to bring destruction, for he knows his end will come.
How do we defeat the darkness? Seek the light of Christ, the Son!
Do not let the devil bully nor beguile your heart and mind.
Whether it be force or fraud, he seeks to ruin all mankind.
God forbid his lies take root in those who wear the Kingdom crown.
Brethren, stand upon the truth and tear those wicked strongholds down!
Armour up, and set your mind on things which are beyond reproof.
Get yourself prepared for war and buckle up the belt of truth.
Gird your waist and listen not to any of the devil’s lies.
Falsehood brings no victory! So Christian, do not compromise.
Truth is not some mere adornment, twisted by the devil’s hand.
Truth is the unchanging rock and solid ground on which we stand.
Truth will hold all else secure, it’s vital for our strength of core.
Truth remains unwavering and casts deception to the floor!
Brethren, do not play with fire. Read God’s Word and bow the knee.
Do not undermine the Gospel; only truth will set us free!
Point the lost to our Messiah, share our Saviour sacrificed.
Stand upon the truth of God and tell the world of Jesus Christ!
Armour up, and don protection, confident this will suffice.
Clad your breast with righteousness; the kind that’s only found in Christ.
Don’t rely on earthly wisdom, leave all pride upon the shelf.
Do not boast in wealth or works! This righteousness won’t come from self!
Christian, see the gift before you, one you neither earned nor bought.
Shelter, now, your heart behind the battle that our Saviour fought!
Fortify your very being through Messiah’s dying breath.
Guard your mortal frame behind the armour forged through Jesus’ death!
Vanquishing both sin and grave; His victory was sorely won.
Stand upon this solid ground, shielded by God’s only Son!
Let the finished work of Jesus be our boast and strength of arm.
Trust in Christ, our Lord, whose righteousness will keep us safe from harm!
Armour up, and hold position; bravery need never cease.
Fit your feet with readiness that comes from knowing Jesus’ peace.
Peace that gives a firm foundation, peace that helps us keep on track.
Steadfast, we remain sure-footed, able to endure attack.
Those who know the Gospel’s comfort do not slip when hardships come;
Here we have a warrior who finds their place in Christ, the Son!
Stable through temptations’ trials, anchored through life’s highs and lows.
Rugged paths won’t wear away the inner peace the Christian knows.
Shod with shoes of great endurance, balanced through each circumstance.
Picture now the Christian army, waiting orders to advance!
Here we stand, alert and ready, with the Gospel to proclaim.
Soldiers boldly marching forth to conquer ground in Jesus’ name!
Armour up, and stand behind your faith in Christ, the Risen Son.
Raise your shield and quench the fiery darts sent by the evil one!
Recognise his wicked schemes, protect yourself, and do not yield.
Trust your Saviour’s promises! Have courage, and take up your shield!
You will find no surer shelter guarding body, heart and mind.
This is not a feeble hope but solid door to hide behind!
Brethren, raise it strong and steady, for its strength won’t come to end.
Safe behind God’s barrier—a sanctuary when darts descend.
Give no place to dark temptations; lend no ear to fear or doubt.
Lies will neither pierce nor burn as faith declares those flames put out!
Dwell on what the Scriptures say and douse those arrows launched from hell.
Christian, look to El Shaddai! The shield of faith will guard you well.
Armour up and screen yourself from wicked blows of every kind;
The helmet of salvation will protect the thoughts within your mind.
Shield against discouragement—a weapon to immobilise
The child of God with disbelief! So lend no ear to Satan’s lies.
Brethren, capture every thought and test its source to surely see
If it be found in Jesus Christ; for at His name we bow the knee!
Choose the joy available and leave all dark despair behind,
For battles can be won or lost, depending on our state of mind!
Focus not on earthly struggles; live in hope and don’t retreat.
Rejoice, for our salvation is inscribed upon Christ’s hands and feet!
A promise for eternity! The victory is safely won!
We persevere in confidence, all thanks to what our Saviour’s done!
Armour up, and grasp the hilt—the Spirit gives us all a Sword;
A mighty weapon of offence! Behold, it is the Word of God.
Inspiration straight from Scripture cuts through lies and falsehoods well.
Devastate the devil’s plans and all the forces sent from Hell!
Trust the Sword’s authority; this weapon is divine in power.
Decimate the enemy and wield its strength this very hour!
Drive the blade effectively, fight with courage, do not doubt.
Christian, use it skilfully, and know this weapon inside out!
Meditate on Scriptures, daily. May we not be found at fault.
In the midst of heated battle we can launch our own assault!
Laying open every motive, piercing evil at the core.
Rescue souls from Satan’s grip! Now wield the Sword and watch it soar!
Armour up, and call on God! The Lord will surely meet you there.
Put your armour straight to work, and battle through the power of prayer!
Brethren, may we never be the soldier who is doomed to fall,
All because we failed to use the weapon that connects them all!
Bring requests before God’s throne, on all occasions, every day.
Whisper, shout, stand or kneel. The vital thing is we must pray!
Utilise the strength it brings, rely on God and not on self.
Prayerless soldiers meet defeat; so leave all pride upon the shelf!
Prayer is what unites our armour, cutting through both time and space.
Prayer is what the devil fears and sends him fleeing in disgrace!
Prayer reveals the truth to sinners, prayer attacks and wages war.
Prayer is not our last resort, so start with prayer, then pray some more!
Christian, be alert and sober, battle on behalf of others.
Serve our sisters faithfully; pray for them and all our brothers.
Boldly making known the Gospel, look to Christ and don’t give up.
Conquer in the name of Jesus! Warriors, let’s armour up!
1 Corinthians 15:57
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
