Have you ever seen a suit of metal armor in a mansion or museum? I find them to be very interesting. Medieval armor was made of metal plates and included coverings for the whole body. I would imagine that wearing such armor would have been unwieldy and exhausting. But it also reminds us that the armor was needed for those soldiers. They wore it because an enemy had attacked them before and they saw the value in it. Keep this in mind as we take a look at the armor God provides for believers to face their spiritual enemies.
- What does it say? (Eph. 6:10-13)
Finally, you all should be strengthened in the Lord and in the power of His might. You all should clothe yourselves with the complete suit of God’s armor so that you all will be able to stand against the crafty schemes of the false accuser. Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, the world powers of this darkness, and the spiritual evil in the heavens. Because of this, you all should take up the full suit of God’s armor so that you all may be able to resist in the evil day and, having done everything, to stand. - What does it mean?
After teaching believers how to act as husbands, wives, children, masters, and servants, Paul brought a behind-the-scenes look at what every believer needs to know and have to stand against evil every day. Thankfully, the Lord provides exactly what we need to face the opposition.
The Lord supplied strength for believers (Eph. 6:10).
After reading the preceding verses, the believers in Ephesus might have been tempted to think that living the Christian life was nearly impossible. Before that thought could become embedded, Paul called on every believer to be empowered in the Lord and in His strength. In other words, it was not up to the early believers to be strong enough for every task. They were to get the strength they needed from the Lord and to rely completely on His strength. The empowerment to live the Christian life is found in the Lord Himself. He supplies this strength to those who need it and has more than enough to meet every need.
The Lord supplied armor for believers (Eph. 6:11).
Another aspect of God’s provision is found in the armor that He provides. The armor mentioned by Paul is not a single piece of armor like a breastplate but “a complete suit of armor, both offensive and defensive.”1 Imagine a soldier walking into an armory and clothing himself with a complete suit of armor along with all the weapons he needed. This is what Paul called the Ephesian believers to do. They were to clothes themselves from head to foot with the whole suit of God’s armor so that they would be able to stand against the enemy. While each piece of the armor will be described in detail later in the passage, it is clear that every believer needs the whole suit of armor to stand against evil.
The Lord supplied insight for believers (Eph. 6:11b-12).
At the end of verse 12 and in verse 13, Paul explained why the believers in Ephesus would need the armor of God. The Lord supplied the whole suit of armor because of the wicked beings that would be attacking them. The first was the devil. The devil is referred to as the διάβολος (diabolos). We get our English word diabolical from it. It refers to someone who is a “slanderer… a treacherous informer, traitor.”2 In other words, the devil was known as someone who would maliciously slander both God and the believers in Ephesus. Along with his schemes, there was an army of evil spiritual beings who would wrestle with the Christians attempting to turn the believers away from good. This insight was provided by the Lord to show the terrible schemes of their opponents and their need for God’s strength and protection.
The Lord supplied motivation for believers (Eph. 6:13).
Verse 13 begins with “because of this.” Because of these known opponents, Paul told the Ephesian believers to pick up the complete suit of God’s armor. Think of a soldier who is thinking about leaving the castle with his armor still in the closet. Paul’s description of the evil beings was motivation for the Ephesian believers to pick up the armor and put it on. If they did use God’s armor, they would be able to withstand the army of evil beings that rose against them. Without it, they would not be able to stand. The Lord used these descriptive terms to motivate the believers to do what they needed to do and that included putting on the armor provided by God. - How does it apply?
Are you aware of the danger?
Paul’s insight into the behind-the-scenes spiritual battle is eye opening. While walking through life, it is not always apparent that there is anything bad going on especially when the weather is good and people are friendly. But behind the scenes, there is a terrible battle going on and every believer is mixed up in it somehow. Are you aware of what is going on? Or better yet, do you believe that it is going on? We need to believe what God has revealed and plan to face it.
Are you strong enough by yourself?
Paul made it clear that believers are to rely on God’s strength and to clothe themselves with His armor. He made it clear that these things are needed. But how often do you find yourself relying on your own strength to face the danger? “I can do it myself” is funny when a little child says it. But it is not appropriate for believers. The devil is limited in power but remember what he did to Eve and Job. He is a slanderer and is constantly trying to make God look bad and to harm believers. Are you strong enough to stand against him?
Are you currently using what God has provided?
Paul gave the believers two things to do to be able to stand against evil. The first was to be empowered by God’s strength. God provides His strength when we seek it. The second was the armor of God. This full suit of armor with weapons is needed to ward off the attacks of the wicked one. The big question is this. Are you currently using what God has provided? Without it, you will not be able to stand against the evil beings who want to destroy you.
Conclusion
It is a sobering experience to think about the danger we face every day. The devil and his evil companions are constantly seeking to thwart God’s plans. And we are in the middle of the battle. But it is also a helpful experience to know that we are not alone. God has provided all that we need. With His strength and His armor, we will be able to survive. So, be on guard but rest in what God has provided. And if you are interested, read ahead to see what the whole suit of God’s armor is made of so that you can be ready today.
Footnotes
- “πανοπλία” as viewed at https://www.billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/panoplia on 2/25/2026. ↩︎
- “διάβολος” as viewed at https://www.billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/diabolos on 2/25/2026. ↩︎