⁴ (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) – 2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV

The phrase “Weapons of our Warfare,” as written by Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians, resonates within my heart as I reflect on life’s hardships and struggles. The chaos in our world, which constantly destroys many lives, proves that we are in a spiritual warfare. In 1 Peter 5:8, we learn that we are engaged with the enemy, the accuser of the brethren, who roams like a lion, always seeking someone to devour. Each day, as believers, we stand against this adversary, whose aim is to steal, kill, and destroy us (John 10:10). But here’s the glorious news: in Christ Jesus, we are overcomers. Jesus has triumphed over the enemy, and through Him, we too are empowered to be victorious (1 John 5:4).

In today’s devotion, we focus on “Weapons of our Warfare.” These weapons have been given to us in Christ to overcome the opposition and oppression from the enemy. While the term “weapons” might evoke images of violence in the secular world, these weapons are gentle yet powerful tools for building God’s Kingdom and devastating to the works of the enemy. Beloved, we are called to wage war against the enemy with grace and strength through Jesus Christ.

Let’s turn to Ephesians 6:12-18, where Paul writes:

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:12-18)

Apostle Paul clearly states in Ephesians 6:12-18 that we are not wrestling against physical beings made of flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. For this reason, we must always gear up not physically, but spiritually, by putting on the whole armor of God. The armor of God is how we clothe our spirits to stand strong and conquer the enemy who seeks to destroy us. Using the imagery of a Roman soldier’s armor, Paul describes the armor of God as follows:

Gird your waist with truth

God’s truth is the anchor of our soul; it is the compass that directs our lives. In God’s truth, we find promises that strengthen our faith and keep our hope alive. God’s truth is the light that allows us to navigate this dark world and overcome the darkness attempting to encroach upon us. Jesus told His disciples that they have been sanctified by the truth. The Word of God is the key to knowing, loving, and serving God, and Paul highlights this as the first piece of armor we need to wear. It holds all the other pieces together and enables us to stand against the enemy.

Put on the breastplate of righteousness

The righteousness of Jesus Christ reflects His character and nature. To put on the righteousness of Jesus is to believe, accept, and walk in Him as your Lord and Savior, who died for you to redeem and renew you as a child of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). We become the righteousness of God through Christ, and we are called to do the works of righteousness, reflecting the nature of Christ. It is our faith in being the righteousness of God that guards against the condemnation of the enemy and keeps us grounded in our identity as God’s righteousness in Christ.

Shod your feet prepared with the Gospel of Peace

The sandals worn by Roman soldiers were designed to be resilient, allowing them to walk and run for long distances during battle. To shod your feet with the Gospel of peace means to remain rooted in the message of Jesus Christ, which brings us salvation and reconciliation with God. This core truth should be deeply embedded in your heart, guiding you throughout your life as you bear witness to this Gospel through your words and actions, leading others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. As believers, we should always be ready to share our faith (1 Peter 3:15). The extent of your journey in faith will stem from your feet being firmly planted in the truth of the Gospel.

Taking the Shield of Faith

The Shield of Faith is what believers wield to protect themselves from the deception, doubts, and fears that the world, flesh, and enemy will bring our way. Our faith in God’s Word—the ultimate truth—prevents us from falling prey to these attacks.

Take the Helmet of Salvation

The helmet of salvation protects our minds from the deceptions of the enemy. By wearing the helmet of salvation, we also recognize our identity as children of God.

Take the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God)

Taking up the sword of the Spirit involves activating God’s Word in our lives. It means applying Scripture in every area of our lives, allowing God’s Word to guide our decisions, set our standards, and direct all our actions. By wielding the sword of the Spirit, we can nullify the enemy’s plans to distort and distract us. We let God’s Word serve as our guiding light, shaping everything we think, say, and do, which effectively neutralizes the enemy’s power over us as believers.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,and continuous prayer

Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of prayer, reminding us to always pray and never give up (Luke 18:1). Prayer serves as a key lifeline for believers, drawing us closer to God. He desires to hear our prayers at all times, ready to respond to our needs and concerns. When we engage in prayer, we align ourselves with God’s will, becoming partners in manifesting His intentions on earth. Through prayer, our faith is ignited with zeal and passion, compelling us to seek out and fulfill God’s purpose. It nurtures a mindset focused on God, allowing us to hear His voice and witness His power at work. As we pray, we actively participate in destroying the enemy’s schemes and ushering in God’s will. Therefore, it is vital that we embrace a life of prayer, for in doing so, we open ourselves to God’s transformative presence and power in the earth.

A careful examination of the armor of God reveals that it represents putting on Christ as our new nature. Everything involved in this armor signifies the new life we receive in Christ. In essence, Paul urges us to immerse ourselves in Christ as our armor. Additionally, in Galatians 5:22-23, we see that we can use the fruits of the Spirit as weapons to combat the enemy:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

The Spirit of God, at work in those who embrace Christ, produces these fruits. The enemy falters before anyone who embodies Christ and displays the fruit of the Spirit. Hold this truth dear one: “You are powerful in the eyes of the enemy when you put on Christ and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.” Though wearing Christ and demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit may appear weak to the world, you become an indomitable force against the enemy—pulling down strongholds and taking every thought captive in obedience to Jesus Christ. Do not underestimate the power of Christ in you. When life’s storms rage, continue to put on Christ, live out His character, and produce the fruit of the Spirit. God’s faithfulness will be evident in your life.

*“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28*

Stay blessed and always remember that Jesus Christ loves you dearly.