The Whole Armor of God

by Lillian Daniel | published on Jul 26, 2024

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. – Ephesians 6:13-15 (NRSV) 

At the Art Institute in Chicago, I visit the enormous hallway filled with suits of armor, and I’m struck by two things. First, people were a lot smaller back then. I am five foot two, and I could never fit into the suits these men were wearing. And second, I am struck by how uncomfortable the suits look – torture to get into and torture to wear. But these suits would be their only protection in battle, up close and personal, with another human being.  

Today, our warfare seems more distant, but is that a good thing? For protection, we have tanks and drones, and we attack one another with bombs rather than swords. Those suits of armor remind me that one thing about war will never change: people are killing one another, and fighting for their own survival while they do it.  

I once had a parent complain to me that this passage from Ephesians was inappropriate for our children to study, since its military images appear to glorify war. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Paul takes the language of the warrior and turns it on its head, so that all the tools of war proclaim peace. You don’t put on real armor made of metal, but the spiritual armor of God to protect you when you boldly declare “the mystery of the gospel” (6:19).  

Prayer
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. (attributed to Saint Francis)

Lillian Daniel About the Author
Lillian Daniel serves as Conference Minister with the Michigan Conference UCC. She is the author of Tired of Apologizing for a Church I Don’t Belong To and When “Spiritual But Not Religious” Is Not Enough.