The Christian life is not a playground, it is a battleground.
The apostle Paul the Apostle wrote to the church in Ephesus reminding them that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. The real battles are spiritual. The pressure, the temptation, the discouragement, the sudden heaviness — often there is more happening than what the eyes can see.
Ephesians 6: 10 – 18 (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
In Epistle to the Ephesians 6:10 –18, we are told to “put on the whole armour of God.” Not some of it. All of it.
- The Belt of Truth : Truth holds everything together. When lies whisper, “You’re not enough,” truth answers with God’s Word. When confusion rises, truth stabilizes the heart. A believer without truth is vulnerable.
- The Breastplate of Righteousness : Not self-righteousness — but the righteousness given through Christ. When the enemy accuses, this breastplate protects your heart. You stand not in your perfection, but in His.
3. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: We stand firm because we stand in peace. The gospel reminds us that we are reconciled to God. Even in chaos, we are steady.
4. The Shield of Faith: Faith extinguishes fiery darts — doubt, fear, anxiety, condemnation. The darts will come. But faith says, “God is still faithful.”
5. The Helmet of Salvation: The mind is a battlefield. Salvation guards your thoughts. You are redeemed. You are secure. You belong to Christ.
6. The Sword of the Spirit: This is the Word of God. It is not decorative — it is defensive and offensive. When Jesus Christ was tempted in the wilderness, He answered with Scripture. The Word silences deception.
And after listing the armour, Paul says something powerful: “Praying always.” Prayer is how we wear the armour daily. God’s armour is not for display. It is for daily warfare. You do not put it on once a year at a conference. You put it on every morning — in prayer, in the Word, in surrender.
You are not fighting for victory. You are fighting from victory.
Christ has already overcome. The armour simply helps you stand in what He has finished.