6 Ways to Apply the Armor of God

Everybody’s walk with God is unique, and each walk can come with its own unique set of challenges. The enemy has more methods of distracting us from God’s will in our current age than we can possibly comprehend, which is why it is important to have plans on how to deal with these interferences. In Ephesians 6:10-18 we are introduced to the “Armor of God” and the significance of each piece which represents a way that Christ works in us when we put our faith in Him. Here are 6 ways to apply each piece of the Armor of God to remain focused on the path that He has for you.

1. Remember that truth comes from His word, not the world

It is difficult to not feel bombarded with information nowadays. More news outlets, journals, forums, and social media platforms than we can keep track of are endlessly updating us on what is happening and why we should care. While this is not always a bad thing, as it is important to be up-to-date on current events, much of what the world tells us comes from a perspective that is meant to make us more obedient to its own standards rather than the standards of the Kingdom. It is essential that we as Christians remember that the Lord’s truth overrules whatever people try to convince us of in regards to how we should live, think, and act. With the same purpose as the Belt of Truth, 1 John 4:6 says, “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.”

2. Prioritize His righteousness over your will

We all have our own desires in life. While there is nothing wrong with enjoying what we find pleasing, as long as it is in accordance with God’s will for us and does not disobey His commands, we need to always keep in mind that our personal wants should never take priority over what He calls us to do. We can spend time trying to figure out if our desires are ultimately good, but that curiosity is irrelevant when it comes to God’s will for us. The Breastplate of Righteousness correlates with Matthew 6:33 which states, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

3. Ask for His peace which transcends all circumstances

The world often throws inconveniences in our direction at a faster rate than we are prepared to deal with. When we are caught off guard or overwhelmed by the trials that come to us, we will likely fail to endure them if we choose to rely on our own strength. Our ability to comprehend our circumstances is limited, and will never provide us with a full picture of what is to come. Because of that, we need to ask God to fill us with His peace that is capable of transcending any and all contexts. Even when we are surrounded by uncertainty, His peace will meet us where we are. Similarly to the purpose of the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, Philippians 4:7 reminds us, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

4. Find ways to represent and be bold in your faith

When we are caught up in the more mundane affairs of life, we can possibly feel a slight disconnect with our faith, as going through the motions can make it harder to feel as though Christ is working through us. While this does not automatically make us more inclined to live in sin and pursue things that are not of God, it can lessen our urgency to make our faith known to those around us so that they may know the source of the love, joy, and peace that dwells within us. There are a variety of ways that individuals could choose to represent their faith based on their own preferences, such as social media posts, sharing what you’ve read from Scripture today, and asking others how you can pray for them. Another simple way to start would be to apply your faith to what you wear, effectively making you a billboard for Christ. If that is a method that appeals to you personally, we at ThankGod.com have you covered for quality Christian apparel! Coinciding with the Shield of Faith, 1 Thessalonians 1:3 tells us, “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

5. Know that your salvation comes through Him alone

Because of the countless relationships that we establish with people of the world as well as many things in it, it can be easy to fall for the illusion that we must win the approval of each and every one. While it can feel fulfilling to receive praise from the world and earn the support of those we engage with, we cannot allow that intoxicating feeling to become our primary motivator. No amount of earthly approval will save us, despite what the world tries to tell us about fame and fortune being what we should strive for. Christ is the only thing by which we are saved, and we must honor that by serving His will rather than our own. In accordance with the Helmet of Salvation, Acts 4:12 says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

6. Call on His Spirit to fight your battles

Similarly to how we must rely on God’s peace to calm us in overwhelming situations, we must ask His Spirit to take on the battles that we cannot fight on our own. This does not mean completely giving up and simply hoping for the best, but allowing ourselves to be humbled by giving God control and trusting that He will make a way that we might not be able to see at the moment. We will never be perfect and life will always hit us with things that we are not prepared for, which is why we must always be of heart and mind to let the Holy Spirit take the reins for us when we lack strength ourselves. In a way that lines up with the Sword of the Spirit, Deuteronomy 20:4 says, “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

How to go forward

Because everyone has their own unique walk with God, everyone will have their own spiritual strengths and weaknesses that they will navigate while on the path that He has planned for them. These examples of how to apply the Armor of God have hopefully made it clearer as to how we can honor Him further in each area, and keep ourselves in check when we show signs of struggling.