A Note from Michael Gossett
Battle Ready: Clothed in Christ
Paul’s final words in Ephesians are not the musings of a tired apostle. They are the rallying cry of a seasoned shepherd who knows the dangers that face the flock. When he tells believers to “take up the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:13), he is not spinning out a clever metaphor. He is reaching deep into Israel’s Scriptures, where God Himself is pictured as the Divine Warrior who arms Himself for battle.
Isaiah had spoken of this Warrior: “He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head” (Isaiah 59:17). The Messiah would be clothed with “righteousness as the belt around His waist” (Isaiah 11:5). He would bring “good news of peace” to His people (Isaiah 52:7). Paul takes these ancient promises and places them in the hands of the church. What once belonged to God alone, what Christ Himself wore as He defeated sin and death, now belongs to all who are united to Him.
This is not moral self-help. This is not a call to somehow put together our own defenses. This is Christ Himself clothing His people. Paul had already said it plainly: “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). The armor is not a list of abstract virtues—it is the very life of Christ, shared with us by grace.
The Belt of Truth
Paul begins with the soldier’s belt: “Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist” (Ephesians 6:14). The Roman cingulum was not a fashion piece. It actually had real purpose and real meaning. The belt held the soldier’s tunic together, supported his breastplate, and secured his sword. Without it, the rest of the armor sagged and slipped in battle. It is the one piece that holds all things together.
Truth functions this way in the Christian life. It fastens everything together. The word Paul uses here is not simply sincerity, but objective reality—the truth of God’s revelation. God Himself is called “the God of truth” (Deut. 32:4). Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The Spirit is “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17). Truth is not subjective preference, nor cultural consensus. It is the self-disclosure of God, supremely in Christ and in His Word.
When believers loosen the belt of truth—when Scripture is neglected, doctrine minimized, or Christ eclipsed—the rest of the armor falters. Satan’s first strategy in the garden was to twist God’s Word: “Did God really say…?” (Gen. 3:1). His schemes are the same today. He thrives where truth is untied. But when the belt of truth is fastened—when the Word of God is read, preached, believed, and lived—the rest of the armor holds firm.
The church has always known this. Athanasius, standing against the Arian heresy in the fourth century, fastened himself with truth when nearly the entire empire opposed him. “Athanasius contra mundum”—Athanasius against the world—was not pride, but resolve to stand where truth held him. Without truth, we unravel. With truth, we stand.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
Paul continues: “with righteousness like armor on your chest” (v. 14). The Roman breastplate (thorax) covered the soldier’s heart and lungs. Without it, the most vital organs were vulnerable.
In Isaiah 59:17, God Himself put on righteousness as His breastplate. In Ephesians 6, the believer wears what Christ has already worn. But what does this mean?
Paul consistently uses “righteousness” in two ways. First, there is the righteousness imputed to us in justification. In Christ, our sins are counted to Him, and His righteousness is counted to us (2 Cor. 5:21). This means the breastplate silences Satan’s accusations. When the accuser hisses, “You are guilty,” the breastplate replies, “Christ is my righteousness.” No condemnation can penetrate the righteousness of Christ.
Second, there is the righteousness imparted to us in sanctification. Holiness of life guards the believer from self-inflicted wounds. A Christian who tolerates sin is like a soldier who drills holes in his own armor. The breastplate is not only Christ’s imputed righteousness covering our standing, but His imparted righteousness shaping our living. Justification secures us; sanctification protects us.
The Puritans wrote entire volumes on this. Thomas Brooks said, “A holy life is the only excellent means to keep off temptations.” When you walk in obedience, you fortify yourself against Satan’s attacks. The breastplate is not optional. It is Christ Himself clothing you, and Christ Himself conforming you.
The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Next Paul turns to footwear: “and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace” (v. 15). Roman soldiers wore caligae—sturdy sandals with hobnailed soles that provided grip on rough terrain and stability in combat. A soldier without proper shoes would easily slip in battle.
For the believer, the gospel of peace provides footing. Peace here is not inner serenity, but true reconciliation with God. “Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). The war between God and the sinner is over. The gospel secures the ground beneath our feet.
But this peace also produces readiness. Isaiah 52:7 declares: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation.” Those who have received peace with God are sent to proclaim peace to the world. The Christian stands firm and moves forward because his footing is sure.
Think of the apostles in Acts. Their peace with God made them bold before councils, courts, and even angry mobs in the city square. Their readiness carried the gospel from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. The hobnailed sandals of the gospel kept them from slipping. And they are the same sandals you wear when you share Christ with your neighbor, your coworker, or the nations.
The Shield of Faith
Paul continues: “In every situation take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (v. 16).
The shield (thureos) was massive—four feet tall, rectangular, layered with wood and leather, often soaked in water before battle so that flaming arrows would be extinguished. Soldiers interlocked them to form a wall, advancing together under protection.
Faith is this shield. Not vague optimism or wishful thinking, but active trust in God’s promises. Faith clings to God when lies and accusations fly. Satan shoots arrows of doubt, fear, temptation, and despair. Faith extinguishes them.
Notice Paul’s promise: “you can extinguish all the flaming arrows.” Not some, not most—all. Faith, however small, when placed in the faithful God, renders Satan’s arrows useless.
But the image also reminds us that faith is not solitary. Just as shields were interlocked, so believers strengthen one another by shared faith. A lone shield protects one body; a wall of shields protects the whole unit. This is why the church gathers. This is why encouragement matters. Faith is fortified in fellowship.
Hebrews 11 is a long story of shields held high—Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Gideon, and David. They quenched the enemy’s arrows because they trusted the promises of God. And by faith, so do we.
The Helmet of Salvation
Paul writes: “Take the helmet of salvation” (v. 17). The Roman helmet (perikephalaia) was made of iron or bronze, often padded inside, sometimes adorned with a crest. Its purpose was clear: to guard against crushing blows to the head.
Salvation is that helmet. In Paul’s theology, salvation has three tenses: we have been saved (justification), we are being saved (sanctification), and we will be saved (glorification). The helmet reminds us of the whole sweep of God’s saving work.
When despair presses in, the helmet guards us with the assurance of justification. When weariness weighs us down, the helmet steadies us with the promise of sanctification. When the future feels uncertain, the helmet lifts our eyes to the hope of glorification.
Isaiah had pictured the Lord Himself donning “a helmet of salvation” (59:17). Now His people wear it too. Hope is protection. Assurance is armor. Salvation covers the mind so that we do not yield to despair.
John Owen once wrote, “The greatest privilege of believers is that they shall never perish.” The helmet reminds us that the God who saved us will keep us to the end.
The Sword of the Spirit
Finally, Paul names the only offensive weapon in the list: “the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God” (v. 17). The Roman machaira was a short, double-edged sword used in close combat. Precision mattered.
Paul specifies that this sword is “the word of God.” Interestingly, he uses rhema rather than logos—a term that emphasizes the spoken word. This points to Scripture proclaimed, prayed, and applied in the moment of need.
Jesus Himself wielded this sword in the wilderness. Each temptation of Satan was met with “It is written” (Matthew 4:1-11). The Spirit who inspired the Word also empowers it through the believer. Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word as “living and effective, sharper than any double-edged sword.”
The Reformation advanced not by political might but by this sword unsheathed. Luther declared, “The Word did everything.” The Puritans saw preaching as wielding the Spirit’s sword against unbelief and sin. Today, when Scripture is read, believed, preached, and prayed, the Spirit thrusts the sword into the heart of darkness. This is exactly why our church is fully committed to the Word of God being preached corporately, prayed corporately every Wednesday, applied in Connect Groups, and lived privately.
Clothed with Christ
The armor of God is not ultimately about Roman soldiers or military imagery. It is about Christ Himself. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word—each is fulfilled in Him. To put on the armor is to put on Christ.
This means the Christian life is not lived by mustering your own strength but by clothing yourself daily in what Christ has already accomplished. You fasten truth because He is true. You wear righteousness because He has made you righteous. You walk in peace because He is your peace. You raise faith because He is faithful. You guard your mind with salvation because He has saved you and will save you. You wield the Word because His Spirit wields it through you.
The evil day will come. The arrows will fly. The darkness will press in. But clothed in Christ, you will stand. For the armor is not fragile. It is not handmade by you. It is the armor of God Himself—worn by the Divine Warrior, given to His saints.
So take it up. Fasten it on. And stand, knowing that the battle is real, but the victory is already Christ’s.
This Sunday at Green Acres
This Sunday at Green Acres, we’re opening God’s Word to Luke 6:43-49 in a messaged titled, “Firm Foundation.”
Every one of us is building a life. The question is: what are we building it on? Jesus tells us that storms will come—loss, temptation, suffering, and ultimately the judgment of God. And when they do, only a life built on Him will stand. The problem is, we need to know how to build this life and to know whether or not what is being built will stand.
I want you to be a part of worship this Sunday because nothing matters more than making sure your life is built on the foundation that never fails. We’ll gather to sing, pray, hear the Word, and to remind one another that Christ alone is our solid Rock.
Bring a friend and come discover our “Firm Foundation” at 9:30 or 11:00 at the Tyler Campus or Flint Campus, and 11:00 in Español.
We also have Connect Groups, which are essential for your growth in Christ, that meet at 8:00 am, 9:30 am, and 11:00 am. Come and join us!
You are loved and prayed for!
Michael Gossett