How does one put on the armor of God? That's a very good question I have wondered about myself. Let’s go through these 9 verses in Ephesians to try to analyze and discern the possible meaning of this passage and the different armor pieces and how we can apply it to our life.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
This part here I take as encouragement to not give up in trials, to stand in Yeshua, perhaps even walking in the miraculous as He did.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
This is showing us the main purpose of the armor, being to stand against the devil. That we need the full armor, everything covered so we don't have weak or vulnerable areas.
12 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.
This is indicating the nature or source of our battles; we should look for spiritual analogies to the armor parts mentioned below.
13 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.
Again, stressing the importance for complete coverage, and standing your ground, not giving way to the enemy.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Loins, being the central or core area, perhaps indicating that our core should be grounded in truth. His Word is truth... a reference to His word, which is a reference to Yeshua. Breastplate, to protect the heart... having a heart of righteousness. Abraham believed in the Lord and it was counted to him for righteousness. Yeshua is our righteousness.
From strongs: 1b) integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Feet shod, indicating action, perhaps advancement, preparation, being ready. Having the message of Yeshua and His Kingdom of peace.
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
The shield of faith, to protect against the fiery darts or words and thoughts of the wicked. This could as well be words from other people or thoughts from our own mind. The enemy’s fiery darts plant doubts in our mind to undermine our faith in Yeshua and His promises. We need to hold on to the shield of faith, even though it may seem we are losing the battle in the physical.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The helmet, to protect the head and mind... of salvation, the meaning of Yeshua and what He represents. The sword, the only offensive weapon mentioned, also symbolizing the tongue. Here we are told the word of God is the reference. So we are to speak the word of God; Also again a reference to Yeshua, the Word.
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
We are instructed to pray with our whole being, and pray for all members of the body.
Why should we always be well covered with the armor of God? Because the enemy never sleeps! He is waiting for us to let our guard down or lay down a piece of our armor. We are always at war with our selfish nature and the evil powers (verse 12).
It seems to me that the armor of God in a nutshell is Yeshua. So we should strive to be in Him and to have His character, to follow Him and seek Him with our whole heart.
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.