From Ephesians 6
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of His might. v 10
Put on the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. v 11
Being strong in the Lord is a process.
It is not a fleshly armour, but a spiritual armour.
It is action in the Word of God.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, v 14
The loins symbolize our reproductive organs:
Produce the truth of the gospel. Jesus is the truth.
and having on the breastplate of righteousness; v 14
A breastplate is a protection.
When we walk in righteousness, we are protected by God.
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,
and His ears are open unto their cry. Psalm 34:15
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; v 15
Jesus was kind to the unthankful and evil and the goodness of God is what leads people to repentance. That peace is to bring peace between humans and God. We are to share with others that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness
and forbearance and longsuffering;
not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:4
Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. v 16
The armour is not about our power and our strength. It is the power and strength of the Lord within us. The power and strength belongs to Him.
Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
And take the helmet of salvation, v 17
The hope of salvation. Would a soldier fight without the hope of victory? This represents our faith in Jesus, that He will accept us through the redemption of His blood sacrifice and it is with that assurance that we are humble before Him, willing to stand up for Him as we are ridiculed and separated from this world while we still live in it.
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: v 17
The word, once it becomes a part of us, can be used as He leads, with His Holy Spirit to divide the soul and the spirit and separate truth from error.
For the word of God is alive and powerful.
It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword,
cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.
It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 NLT
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. v 18
Always in communion with the Lord in prayer.