Why Does God Calls It Armour?
Armour is not aesthetic. It is protection, preparation, and the foundation God gives us for visible and invisible battles.
The idea of armour readily conjures images of medieval knights wielding swords, slaying dragons and rescuing maidens, or Ancient Roman soldiers moving in formation, conquering distant lands.
But armour is not a necessity of a bygone era or merely tools for the modern military.
Women understand armour. The ubiquitous feminine instinct to self-affirm - curl, pin, tuck and tweeze - in anticipation for whatever lies ahead.
What’s your go-to?
A bold red lip, high heels, or positive affirmations.
They all serve the same role: armour to battle the giants of the day.
It’s easy to reduce this to vanity, but in truth, armour is purposeful. It’s protection and preparedness.
Armour is not about performance, but survival. It’s a tool to face threats that exist.
We understand - and act upon - the need for readiness in visible physical and mental challenges, but what about the invisible challenges?
The spiritual battles.
For this, we need the armour of God.
What is the Armour of God?
In Ephesians 6:11-18, Paul writes:
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
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, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints...”
Fuelled by divine inspiration, it is likely Paul chose the imagery of armour because of the Roman military presence of the time.
The disciplined soldiers and recognisable armour would have been immediately familiar to Ephesus church.
This passage tells us that the armour of God consists of the:
Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shoes of the Gospel of Peace,
Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, and Sword of the Spirit - with Prayer woven throughout as our constant companion.
The vivid imagery is more than a mere metaphor.
It’s a practical framework for believers to implement and adopt.
Each component is a piece of personal equipment designed to brace and fortify us for the calamities of life.
We’ll be delving into the detail of each armour component in upcoming essays and videos.
Why Do We Need to Be Armoured?
Jesus provided three clear reasons why the concept of armour is key to survival and not just literary flair.
First, Jesus makes the agenda of the enemy clear. In John 10:10, He says:
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Steal, kill and destroy - that is the objective of Satan, a focused mission with defined targets.
The warfare is real, and neither a positive mindset, flawless lip, nor curated wardrobe will suffice to engage with the enemy.
This is why Paul plainly states in Ephesians 6:12 that
“we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Second, Jesus warns that hardship is inevitable. In John 16:33, He says:
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
“Ye shall have tribulation”. In essence, hardships and woes are inevitable.
The spiritual warfare, the campaigns of the enemy to execute his steal, kill and destroy commission, manifests in the battles we encounter and endure in life.
Third, Jesus commands His followers to be prepared and vigilant. In Matthew 26:41, He says:
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Watch and pray are explicit directives to be proactive and on the defence. Our faith is an action exercised daily.
Jesus’ instructions stress the importance of why the armour of God is essential for His believers.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul introduced a metaphor that translates into practical guidance accessible to all.
Why Liorah Begins Here
Marking the beginning of Liorah with the armour of God is deliberate because foundations matter.
The heart of Liorah is a desire to help women be truly rooted in God; established on firm ground, so that they may stand strong through the many stages and phases of life we encounter as women.
And through the spiritual seasons we experience as children of God.
Before we speak about becoming, loving, building, or navigating culture, we must first be grounded.
Armour is not an accessory; it is essential as a firm foundation is what allows us to stand.
Watch the companion video for this piece of armour.