Now that we’ve established the baseline parameters of our epic struggle against Satan let’s identify the protection at our disposal. The Apostle Paul used the analogy of the Roman soldier to describe the believer’s armor. In the book of Ephesians Paul has identified six pieces of armor God provides to His children so they can withstand the onslaughts of Satan and his demons. The first three pieces of armor are permanent and the believer is never to be without them. The last three pieces of armor are to be kept close at hand so they can be taken up when the actual fighting begins.
1. The belt of truth:
All Roman soldiers wore a heavy leather belt. The soldier’s loose outer garment was a tunic that was cinched up between the legs and tucked into the belt to prepare for hand-to-hand combat. This allowed for more freedom of movement. The equivalent of a belt for believers is the truth of God’s Word. The foundation of our defense against Satan is to know the contents of the Bible intimately. Satan knows the Bible so we need to know it too. We must study Scripture for knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Jesus used God’s Word to defeat Satan when He was tested for 40 days in the wilderness just prior to the start of His ministry. By following the example set by Jesus we can also use Scripture to defeat Satan. The study of God’s Word is basic for the believer and we must continue this study for the rest of our lives.
Ephesians 6: – Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth.
2 Timothy 2:4 – No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:2 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of god.