Bible Studies: Our Spiritual Weapons and Armor – Part 1

The Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

“Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience.”

1. What special power do our weapons have?

2. What do they demolish?

3. What will they punish?

The Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor 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 armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

4. Whose strength must we rely on?

5. What should we put on?

In discussing the Christian’s armor, Paul had in mind the massive armor of the Roman soldier, which completely covered his body. Roman soldiers even slept in their armor.

6. Why must we put it on?

7. Who is our struggle against?

The Scripture: Ephesians 6:14-18

“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.”

8. List the Christian’s armor.

We want to look carefully at this armor and these weapons now.

The Belt of Truth

In contrast to the heavy metal covering the Roman soldier’s lower body, the Christian’s loins are to be covered with the belt of truth – the truth of Jesus Christ. The loins speak of our Christian walk. One purpose of the belt or “girdle” was to strengthen the loins for strenuous activity. Another purpose was to protect such parts of the abdomen as were not already protected by other protective coverings. So truth – the truth of Jesus Christ – becomes a protection from the blows of the enemy.

The Hebrew word for “truth” means “to be permanent and established.” The Greek word denotes veracity, reality, sincerity, accuracy, integrity, truthfulness, dependability, and propriety. It is something on which a person may confidently stake his life.

The Bible has much to tell us about truth.

The Scripture: Psalm 40:11

“Do not withhold Your mercy from me, O Lord; may Your love and Your truth always protect me.”

9. What does the psalmist say truth will do?

The Scripture: John 14:6

“Jesus [said], ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’”

10. What does Jesus say He is?

The Scripture: John 14:16-17

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (the Holy Spirit) to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.”

11. Who is the other Comforter?

12. Who is He?

The Breastplate of Righteousness

The breastplate covered the soldier’s breast or chest. In this area are the heart and lungs, the organs with which we feel and breathe.

Righteousness is uprightness and right standing with the Lord, everything in conformity to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action.

What does the Bible tell us about our righteousness?

The Scripture: Isaiah: 64:6

“All our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

13. To what does the prophet compare our own righteousness?

The Christian who trusts in his own righteousness is foolish indeed.

14. What do our sins do?

The Scripture: James 5:16

“The prayer of a righteous man is effective.”

15. How does James describe the prayer of a righteous man?

The Scripture: 1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, He (Jesus) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from unrighteousness.”

16. What is the secret to freeing us from unrighteousness?

The Gospel of Peace

Peace is a state of rest, quietness, and calmness, an absence of strife; tranquility. It includes harmonious relationships between God and men, men and men, families, and nations. Jesus as the Prince of Peace gives peace to those who call upon Him for personal salvation.

Roman military sandals were made of a very strong leather. The Amplified Bible translates v. 15 as “And having shod your feet in preparation (to face the enemy with firm-footed stability, the promptness and readiness produced by the good news) of the Gospel of Peace.”

To enable the soldier to have sure footing, the soles were studded with hobnails.

17. What is the next piece of equipment?

The Scripture: John 14:27

“Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

18. What does Jesus give us?

19. How does He describe His peace?

The Scripture: Colossians 1:19-20

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Him (Jesus), and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.”

20. How does God make peace?

In the next section of this study, we will continue looking at the pieces of equipment worn by the spiritual warrior.