SPIRITUAL DEFENSIVE & OFFENSIVE WEAPONS

Christian’s preparation for spiritual warfare involves more than just biblical training and a disciplined life. The weapons with which soldiers are equipped are extremely important.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Defensive weapons

The blood of Jesus – The blood of Christ is a covering for our sins. It brings the purification that attests to the end of Satan’s lordship over our lives. He can no longer accuse us. The blood guarantees us the victory.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. (Revelation 12:11a)

The Word of God – God’s Word is truth. Satan attacks us with lies always trying to distort the truth, but the Word exposes his lies.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth (Ephesians 6:14a)

. . . and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17b)

The application of the Word frees us from all bondage. The Word of God protects us from all of Satan’s attacks, lies and deceit.

The breastplate of righteousness

Stand therefore . . . having put on the breastplate of righteousness. (Ephesians 6:14)

God’s righteousness is our breastplate and as such protects our heart from being condemned by our conscience (1 John 3:19-22). To “not have our heart condemn us” means to have a clear conscience (2 Timothy 1:3), a conscience without offense (Acts 24:16). Righteousness gives us confidence before God.

We can only belong to the Army of God with the garments of justice. John envisioned the Lord’s army in garments of fine white linen, which speaks of the righteousness of the saints (Revelation 19:7, 8; 11; 14).

The shield of faith

Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (Ephesians 6:16)

The helmet of salvation – our mind is a constant battlefield, but we have “the helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17).

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

The helmet protects the head. The word “salvation” here comes from the Greek “soteria“, which means physical and mental well-being. In the face of many attacks, we see the salvation of God. This represents the experience of deliverance. Isaiah 26:1, 3, 4 tells us that the salvation of God is our protection.

God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. (Isaiah 26:1)

The helmet protects our mind in times of attack because our hope rests on the salvation of God. This hope guards our minds in perfect peace, which is a great weapon of protection.

The preparation of the gospel of peace

And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Eph. 6:15).

The sandals represent the gospel. The preparation spoken of here is the habit of always watching and praying. Satan tries to make us complacent and content in any situation prioritizing the love of comfort. Ezekiel 16 speaks of the sins of Sodom, that reflect the love of the easy life (Ezekiel 16:49). When we shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the sins of Sodom will not be able to trap us.

Offensive weapons

The name of Jesus – This is the power of God granted to the believer with the purpose of edifying and expanding His kingdom. His name is a strong and powerful tower, a refuge and protection.

This name comes with such authority and power that it is above every name. Demons retreat at the mention of the name of Jesus. (Philippians 2:9-11; Mark 16:17, 18; John 16:23, 24)

The word of faith – Our faith in God is our defensive weapon against doubts. The faith of God is an offensive weapon (Mark 11:22). The word of faith means to speak with the faith of God.

To have the faith of God means to possess the type of faith that God has. Faith believes that the word that leaves our mouth will not return empty, but will fulfill the purpose for which it was sent (Isaiah 55:10, 11).

Jesus used the faith of God when He spoke to the fig tree (Mark 11:20). Jesus said, as sons of God, we must have the same kind of faith (Mark 11:22-24). We must speak orders such as “I command”, or “I cast out”, or “I bind”, with the word of faith.

There are many examples of the word of faith spoken in the Bible. Elisha commanded fire to fall from heaven (1 Kings 18:37, 38); Joshua commanded the sun to stop (Joshua 10:12, 13); Elisha said that it would not rain (1 Kings 17:1), and it didn’t. Jesus constantly used the word of faith.

The Word of God – The word of God is a sword, both offensive and defensive. With it, we attack the enemy in a precise manner. In order to use it well we must invest time studying it and memorizing it. Then, when it is time to attack, it will be easy.

Jesus used the Word of God to defeat Satan when he was tempted (Matthew 4:1-11). Therefore the sword must be used in the mouth (Revelation 1:16).

Praise and worship – God is enthroned through the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). The second chapter of Chronicles is a good illustration of how praise to God afflicted the adversary.

Through the praise and worship of the name of the Lord, not only do we knock down the walls of the enemy but we also break the chains over our own lives and of those who surround us. Praise opens the doors of the prisons and frees the captives (Acts 16:23; 25, 26).