Put on God’s Armor!

Imagine someone gives you a set of authentic Roman armor and weaponry from the first century. Then you are told to put it on and immediately rushed off to the frontline of a battle. A first thought would be, Hold on! What’s happening?!

When your mind clears, more thoughts would race in: I don’t know anything about Roman warfare. I’ve never used a sword. What am I supposed to do with this huge shield? If I must fight, I need training!

Of course, this scenario is patently silly. Yet the apostle Paul did tell Christians to don spiritual armor in Ephesians 6: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (vs. 11).

Old-style armor and weapons are unfamiliar in this modern world, so the richness of Paul’s analogy can be lost on us. Thankfully, we have historical records that provide precious details to improve our skill in spiritual battle.

Most everyone knows about basic training in the military today. Recruits are sent to a boot camp and mentally and physically prepared for warfare. A similar program was used for Roman soldiers in New Testament times. There was rigorous testing even before new recruits could hold weapons.

A 1921 article in The Classical Journal shows the importance of this training: “The Romans recognized the fact that fear with resultant panic is one of the greatest dangers to an army. To banish fear they relied on the confidence that comes with the consciousness of skill.”

Fifth-century military historian Flavius Vegetius Renatus expanded on this: “For knowledge of the game of war leads to boldness in conflict. No one ever feared to do a thing that he was confident he had learned to do well.”

Christians are no different. If we have extensive knowledge of spiritual combat and tactics, we too can be bold in the face of adversity.

The Classical Journal explained how the Romans trained their recruits: “(1) recruits must be skillfully selected; (2) they must learn to use and care for their arms; (3) they must be brought to the highest point of physical robustness by daily exercises; (4) they must as far as possible be taught every situation that can arise in battle and how to meet it; (5) they must learn to obey orders and not to shirk work.”

There are quite a few parallels with Christianity to unpack here. The Father “skillfully selected” and knew that you had the making of a spiritual soldier (I Pet. 2:9). Number 3 involves becoming and remaining fit—and Number 4 relates to the fact God places everyone in the Church where He chooses (I Cor. 12:18).

But notice Number 2. Have you thought much about learning to use your armor and weaponry? To take care of it? What does that entail?

Basic Training

A look at Roman training can provide a helpful picture. The Classical Journal explained that “before candidates…were to be permitted to begin the training in arms, they were to be taught to labor, to run long distances, to carry loads, to bear sun and dust, to put up with short rations of country fare, and to alternate living for periods under the open sky and in tents.”

Christianity takes some getting used to. You must get used to being set apart from the world. There are different doctrines and traditions. And it takes time to build up spiritual muscles using the tools of growth: Bible study, prayer, fasting, meditation and exercising the Holy Spirit. It is also crucial to have a solid foundation by proving the basic doctrines of God’s Way. All this before you can handle “combat.”

Even after a Roman soldier wrapped up his official training, he still had to work to remain fit. If there is anywhere in our Christian vocation where we have become flabby or out of shape—such as skimping on prayer and study—we must make changes!

For Romans, basic training occurred daily for four months. Before ever being handed a weapon, recruits had to learn marching skills.

Once conditioning was completed, recruits went through weaponry training. They trained with wooden “dummy” swords and shields to prevent life-threatening injury. They performed mock fights in which one party tried to dislodge another with shields.

Their wooden weapons were twice as heavy as the real ones, so that it would be much easier to use the real weapon.

Using the tool of meditation, you can also put on mock “battles.” Imagine scenarios you might encounter. How would you handle your employer telling you to work on the Sabbath? What would you do if a family member challenged you on a doctrine of God? How would you address someone yelling at you in a parking lot in a fit of road rage?

Push yourself with difficult, “twice-as-heavy” situations. For example, what would you do if your best friend left the Church?

Make these examples live in your mind! Come up with Bible passages to help you get through. You can also learn by actual events in your life. Perhaps you did not handle them perfectly. Meditation can also help here in that you can review what happened and how you could have handled the situations better.

The Armory

The basics of Christianity produce spiritual muscles and fitness that allow you to use the gospel armor. Again, the example of physical Roman soldiers provides many spiritual lessons.

Read all of the passage in Ephesians 6: “Wherefore take unto you 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 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 you 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” (vs. 13-17).

The following is a guidebook on the equipment in your spiritual armory according to Ephesians 6. Note that Paul, who was a Roman citizen and lived in the Roman-occupied world, would have most likely been referring to the equipment worn by legionary soldiers, who patrolled all throughout Judea’s cities and country roads.

Belt: The cingulum was a leather belt worn around the waist that ensured all the armor remained in place. In front was an apron of leather straps decorated with metal discs.

This item not only protected the loins itself, the belts of hundreds of soldiers marching may have frightened the enemy by making an intimidating sound. For Christians there is power in numbers as well.

Also, notice that the sword was kept on the cingulum. Having God’s truth as a belt keeps us ready for combat. We can wield the sword of the Word, but it must be backed up by the bedrock truths of the Bible.

God’s truth is what allows us to make killing blows with our sword—instead of swinging it around wildly and potentially hurting ourselves and others.

Body armor: The breastplate was made from overlapping iron plates held together by leather straps and brass clasps. It was cumbersome, so a tunic was worn underneath to provide a cushion, but the piece was necessary to protect the vital organs and stop arrows and sword blows.

For those living God’s Way, righteousness—keeping God’s Law—protects us. Notice Psalm 5: “For You, Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor will You compass him as with a shield” (vs. 12).

Footwear: Roman soldiers wore heavy sandals called caligae, from the Latin callus meaning hard. They were made of leather with iron studs hammered into the soles to provide traction as well as the terrifying sound of a marching army.

The footwear was not cumbersome, but rather provided ease of travel through all kinds of terrain. This was particularly the case in the warm Mediterranean climate. Yet it also was well ventilated, preventing diseases like trench foot, and the multiple leather straps made it easy to run despite wearing heavy equipment.

We must put on a different kind of sandal: the “preparation of the gospel of peace.” Keeping our hearts in God’s Work is essential to winning spiritual battles. Everything we do should be ensuring we are preparing ourselves for and heading toward the Kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33). And though we must carry a hefty burden of spiritual equipment, our zeal for the good news of coming peace should make our Christian pace that of a run (I Cor. 9:24-26; Heb. 12:1).

Shield: Thureos is the word translated shield in Ephesians 6:16, and it refers to a “large shield (as door shaped).” The Romans called this item a scutum and it was roughly 41 inches high and 16 inches wide.

These semi-cylindrical shields were used as a defensive measure—the rounded shape ensured arrows and spears glanced off them to the left or right.

Yet they were most effective in a group formation. A tortoise shell could be made that protected everyone in the group.

Similarly, strong faith that God will deliver on His promises will shield us. All brethren are in an army together, which means faith can be stronger when it is spread across a group.

Be sure to share your faith-building stories with others, including any blessings or miracles that occurred in your life.

The scutum was also an effective weapon. It had an iron bulge in the center that was used to batter enemies or knock them off their feet.

Your faith can also be an offensive weapon of sorts. Allow God’s past deliverances to strengthen your defenses—and push back any wrong thoughts or attitudes that may occur when trials enter your life.

Notice that Paul said to take the shield of faith “above all.” Ask God regularly for more of the gift of faith!

Helmet: This item, which had special guards over the cheeks and neck, was designed to protect vascular regions that, if cut, would mean significant blood loss and a quick death. Made of metal, it also protects from blows to the cranium.

Helmets protect soldiers’ brains. Salvation protects us. Knowing that we are qualifying to be a part of the God Family is the ultimate protection for our minds.

Keep salvation firmly fixed in your mind. Do not allow tumultuous events to knock you around and foul up your thinking.

Remember God’s part in our salvation. Hebrews 2 calls Jesus the captain of our salvation to bring “many sons unto glory” (vs. 10). He is a commanding officer in God’s army and is uniquely positioned to come to your aid in times of temptation.

Verse 18 states: “For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to succor [help] them that are tempted.”

Sword: The gladius was a light double-edged blade, 18 inches long with a sharp point. Because it was relatively short, it was best used for quick movements like stabbing and thrusting rather than slashing.

The Classical Journal stated: “It may be noted also that Romans taught their soldiers to thrust rather than to cut with the sword. They saw that a cut, though delivered with considerable force, was not likely to reach a vital point, for the vital parts of the body were protected both by the armor and by bones, while a thrust, though entering the body but two inches, was likely to find a vital spot. They saw also that when the right arm was raised to deliver a slashing cut, the right side beneath the uplifted arm was exposed to attack, while a thrust can be started and executed without uncovering the body for the attacker.”

Similarly, spiritual battles should not be an Errol Flynn fencing match with swords clanging and fancy footwork. They are about a quick kill.

Notice that this is what Jesus did when tempted by Satan. With each temptation, He thrust back with one verse from Scripture. After one verbal blow from Christ, the devil quickly went on to the next enticement.

The gladius was also a defensive weapon. The journal stated: “It should be added also that the Roman soldier was taught to parry and turn aside a coming missile or a sword thrust by oblique strokes with his sword.”

We can use Bible verses to defend ourselves. We can shore up our mental defenses by replacing wrong thoughts with God’s words.

Sometimes we need to use God’s Word on ourselves. The Bible is described as living, quick, more powerful than any two-edged sword, and capable of cutting to the marrow of bone. Allow its judgment to “cut to the chase” when it comes to your own thoughts (Heb. 4:12). Let it be a clear and decisive guide for your actions.

Life of a Soldier

Roman training was not a simple transition from civilian life—it involved an entirely new life and environment.

It was crucial that, by the end of the preparation phase, the soldier could perform immense physical feats.

Many Roman soldiers would sign up for 25 years of service. They often left behind family and friends and lived in nations that were not their own.

Sound familiar? It should, yet, we sign up for a lifetime of service.

The apostle Paul summarized Christianity in II Timothy 2:3-4 by stating: “You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier.”

Put on the whole armor of God. Train yourself to use it. March together with your fellow soldiers so that, as stated in I Thessalonians 5:23, “your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”