The Layers Of The Armor Of God
I've been doing more studying on Ephesians 6:10-18 "The Armor Of God" and I've discovered something that I had never really noticed before. You have to put on all those pieces of armor in the exact order in which they are listed, otherwise they won't work. Or perhaps a better way of saying it, it's impossible to put on the next piece listed without first putting on the piece listed before it.
You have no authority or understanding concerning how to use the Sword of the Spirit without first taking the Helmet of Salvation.
You can't take the Helmet of Salvation without first taking up The Shield of Faith.
You'll have no Shield of Faith to take up if you don't first shod your shoes with the Gospel of Peace.
And you can have no Peace without first putting on the Breastplate of Righteousness.
And you can't have any of the above without first girding your loins with the Belt (or Girdle) of Truth.
Here's the order in which Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God.
1. Belt of Truth.
2. Breastplate of Righteousness.
3. Shoes Shod With The Gospel Of Peace.
4. Shield of Faith.
5. Helmet of Salvation.
6. The Sword of the Spirit.
7. Effective and Powerful Intercessory Prayer.
Truth is the foundation. Without truth, we're in bondage to deception. With the truth, we have freedom. The application of righteousness, free from guilt comes from the accepted truth of the completed work of the cross. After that we walk a walk of voluntary obedience and/or confession when necessary. With that applied, then comes peace which only a continual walk close with the Lord can supply. Then with that, we can take up the shield of faith against anything that comes toward us! Nothing can stop us! Then, we take up the authority that comes from our adoption as sons and daughters of the living God (Helmet of Salvation) and pick up the Sword of the Spirit which is God's Word to defend against lies, and oppose demons. NOW!!! NOW!!! We can pray effectively without interference, and with perfect clarity, interceding on behalf of whoever needs it.
You have no authority or understanding concerning how to use the Sword of the Spirit without first taking the Helmet of Salvation.
You can't take the Helmet of Salvation without first taking up The Shield of Faith.
You'll have no Shield of Faith to take up if you don't first shod your shoes with the Gospel of Peace.
And you can have no Peace without first putting on the Breastplate of Righteousness.
And you can't have any of the above without first girding your loins with the Belt (or Girdle) of Truth.
Here's the order in which Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God.
1. Belt of Truth.
2. Breastplate of Righteousness.
3. Shoes Shod With The Gospel Of Peace.
4. Shield of Faith.
5. Helmet of Salvation.
6. The Sword of the Spirit.
7. Effective and Powerful Intercessory Prayer.
Truth is the foundation. Without truth, we're in bondage to deception. With the truth, we have freedom. The application of righteousness, free from guilt comes from the accepted truth of the completed work of the cross. After that we walk a walk of voluntary obedience and/or confession when necessary. With that applied, then comes peace which only a continual walk close with the Lord can supply. Then with that, we can take up the shield of faith against anything that comes toward us! Nothing can stop us! Then, we take up the authority that comes from our adoption as sons and daughters of the living God (Helmet of Salvation) and pick up the Sword of the Spirit which is God's Word to defend against lies, and oppose demons. NOW!!! NOW!!! We can pray effectively without interference, and with perfect clarity, interceding on behalf of whoever needs it.
