If you read my last post, your eyes are wide open to the brutal alien assault happening on Earth. Not aliens in the sense of little green men. Worse than that.
I’m talking about real, active spiritual warfare, and it’s happening all around you.
Satan is more dangerous than any extraterrestrial our imagination could ever dream up because he can attack without our knowing it. You might be in the midst of a fierce battle right now and not realize it. Which is why it’s important to be prepared.
This is where the Armor of God comes in. Unfortunately, armor and weapons are no good if you have no idea how to use them. So here’s your promised crash course in spiritual warfare for teens: Armor of God 101.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
In This Article
What is the Armor of God?
First, read my post Aliens on Earth if you haven’t already, along with Ephesians 6:10-18, the famous Armor of God passage. Then, let’s take a look at each item and how to use it.
1) Belt of Truth: Keep Your Pants Up and Your Weapons Close
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist . . .” Ephesians 6:14
As far as armor goes, the belt is one of the more unglamorous pieces, yet its importance cannot be ignored. Not only does it keep your pants from falling down, but its central location on the body makes it the ideal place to hang your weapons. Perhaps this is why God decided to start here.
To fully utilize the belt of truth, you must understand that truth is exclusive. This means one thing is right and everything else is a lie. There cannot be two truths.
Truth is exclusive. There cannot be two truths.
Either Jesus died for our sins or he didn’t.
Either God is love or he isn’t.
Your salvation comes through Christ or it doesn’t.
There’s no on-the-fence when it comes truth.
If you don’t believe the truth, all that’s left to believe are the lies.
What is your true identity? Is it in your career or family? Your interests or ethnicity? Your sexuality? For the Christian, your identity is in Christ. If you believe it comes from anywhere else, you’ve just fallen for one of Satan’s favorite lies.
Don’t be caught with your pants around your ankles! Fight lies with the truth.
How to put on the Belt of Truth:
- Pray alongside God’s Word.
- Study and memorize scripture.
- Surround yourself with others who seek the truth (a.k.a. Christian friends and mentors).
2) Breastplate of Righteousness: Protection for the Heart
“. . . with the breastplate of righteousness in place . . .” Ephesians 6:14
Righteousness, a word adored by Christians everywhere. But what does it mean?
The definition of righteous is “morally right or justifiable.” Therefore, righteousness is the quality of being right and justified—faultless. On our own, you and I are not faultless. I bet you could list ten wrong thoughts or actions you’ve accomplished just this morning. But don’t bother, because Jesus—the only human to live a truly faultless life—gave us his righteousness. (See 2 Corinthians 5:21.) Like a coat that can be taken off one person and draped over the shoulders of another, he passed it on to you.
Which leads to a second kind of righteousness: the works of a Christian in response to God’s gift. When you grasp how deep and broad God’s love is—when you understand how soiled you were before Jesus made you clean—you want to show your gratitude to God by carrying out your earthly work in his name. His love for you leads you to choose a life of holiness.
Like a bulletproof vest, the breastplate of righteousness protects your heart. Satan would entangle your heart in sin were it not for Christ’s righteousness.
How to put on the Breastplate of Righteousness :
- Get rid of your pet sins! See my post about Self-Examination for Christian Teens.
- Soak in God’s word through daily reading, Bible study, and regular worship.
3) Footwear: Ready to March Into Battle
“. . . with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:15
Footwear as armor? Seriously? Before you glaze over this section in anticipation of the fun stuff (the shield!), imagine donning the most advanced armor of the day—bulletproof vest, tactical belt, fatigues, helmet, the works—then walking onto the battlefield barefoot.
Yeah, not cool.
Wars are rarely fought on AstroTurf. Burning hot sand, jagged rocks, six inches of snow . . . Wherever he finds himself, a warrior needs excellent footwear or he might as well go home.
So it is with the Christian warrior, and God offers footwear in his armory.
The Christian’s footwear isn’t a pair of sleek combat boots, but the “readiness that comes from the gospel of peace”—the good news of salvation through Christ. Not only have you been made clean through Christ, you now have unity with God.
Think about it. The most powerful Being in existence loves you and knows you. Nothing will ever bring you as much peace as that. It’s what makes you eager to fight. When your feet are ready and you’re standing on the firm ground of the gospel, you want to spread the good news and win more warriors for Christ.
How to Fit Your Feet With Readiness
- Spend time studying the gospel—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—and get to know Jesus for who he truly is.
- Seek security in His works, not your own. Those who stand firmly on the gospel are less likely to fall prey to worry or anxiety and thus be robbed of peace.
4) Shield of Faith: Block the Flaming Arrows
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16
Fun fact: Roman shields during Biblical times were covered with animal hide that could be soaked before battle, giving them another defense against flaming arrows.
You can’t just put your faith in any old thing and call it good. Money, friends, good works, talents and abilities, your leaders . . . These things might ward off insecurity for a time. They won’t, however, stop Satan’s flaming arrows—arrows aimed right at your core. When it comes to death, illness, financial chaos, war, social upheaval, or pandemics, only the shield of faith in Christ will do.
But for that extra layer of protection, you must regularly dip your faith in the Word of God. Too many Christians pick up their shield but do nothing to strengthen it.
“Daily Bible reading and weekly church attendance? Forget it, I don’t have time for that. “
If that’s how you feel, you’ve just resorted to picking up a hunk of scrap metal, expecting it to protect you. Maybe it will, but most likely not.
Faith comes through hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Dip your faith in his Word and don’t let it dry out!
How to Take up the Shield of Faith
- Read your Bible every day. And take advantage of the Bible studies offered by your church or another Christian organization.
- Go to church! This is not optional. Think of it as dipping your shield in water.
- Pray for God to strengthen your faith.
5) Helmet of Salvation: Guard Your Mind
“Take the helmet of salvation …” Ephesians 6:17
The helmet just might be one of the most recognizable pieces of armor. Plan on dressing like a soldier next Halloween? Don’t forget the helmet or nobody will know who you are.
For the Christian, salvation comes from Jesus’ death and resurrection. He offered full payment for our sin, sort of like a father paying off his son’s huge credit card debt. This is basic knowledge from Christianity 101. But why wear this on your head?
Think about what gets you in trouble the most. Is it your hands, which can’t help but smack your little brother every time he comes near? Your feet, which carry you places you know you shouldn’t be? Your tongue?
In truth, sin from any of these parts starts somewhere else: the mind. You act because you think. You sin because you think sinful thoughts.
Given this, it makes perfect sense to put salvation on your head and allow the Lord to work it into every part of your thoughts. The mind is a battlefield. Taking back your mind from Satan is akin to conquering a key stronghold for the enemy.
How to Put on the Helmet of Salvation
- Wash your mind with God’s word every single day. (Noticing a theme here? You need to study your Bible!)
- Follow the advice in Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Also, Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Focus on godly pursuits, not pursuits that gratify your sinful flesh.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
6) Sword of the Spirit: Both Offense and Defense
“… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17
As long as we’re talking about Halloween, what’s a pirate, or a knight, or a samurai costume without a sword? The sword holds a very prominent place in the world of armor, and for good reason too. The sword is the only piece of armor that is both defensive and offensive. A sword in the hands of someone well-trained can block blows from an enemy, then strike him down.
So, too, can the word of God.
Consider when Satan tempted Jesus in Luke 4. Each time, Jesus responded with scripture, thus blocking his blows. That same word cuts Satan’s lies apart and releases those held prisoner by his deceit. The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).
How to Pick up the Sword of the Spirit
- I’ll say it again: Pick up your Bible! Really study it. Just like it takes training to become skilled with a sword, so you need to put in some time to really know God’s word and apply it effectively.
7) Prayer: Communication With the Commander
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:18
Don’t race into battle without the walkie-talkie that connects you to your commander! Without it, you won’t even know where the battle is or the manner in which you must fight.
Prayer is the critical line of communication between you and God, your commander. Let him help you when you’re struggling to fit into the other parts of your armor.
Onward Christian Soldier!
Never forget you are at war! Thanks be to God, he gives you all you need to succeed in battle.
Looking forward to Armor of God 102! Amazing what God gives us through his Word to walk with him through this world today. Beautifully written, Lauren. Thank you!
Thank you. I, like Marcia, look forward to Armor of God 102. As I was reading this one I thought to myself, “How does she do it?” Praise God that he has blessed us with you and you with such wonderful talents. Keep writing and sharing.
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