Originally Posted by
burgyeb
Defensive spiritual warfare guards or shields you against the attacks and schemes of the devil (the enemy). Defensive weaponry is also referred to as the Armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-18) The prophet Isaiah used similar terminology to describe the Lord's armor. (Isaiah 59:16-17) Isaiah also prophesied on the future Messianic Age, the Messiah, and on the symbolic clothing of the Messiah. (Isaiah 11:1-9)
Defensive Spiritual Weapons
[Ephesians 6:10-18]
"...Put on the full armor of God..." (Eph 6:10,11,13; Isaiah 59:17)
"so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes...struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world... (Eph 6:12)
"stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist." (Eph 6:14)
"...with the breastplate of righteousness in place..." (Eph 6:14; Isaiah 59:17)
"and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." (Eph 6:15)
"...take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." (Eph 6:16)
"Take the helmet of salvation..." (Eph 6:17; Isaiah 59:17)
"... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Eph 6:17)
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...(Eph 6:18)
The Apostle Paul had much time to study the armor worn by Roman soldiers, as he was chained to a Roman soldier day and night. He may have compared the soldier's armor to the armor of God, and realized the superiority of spiritual weapons. The armor of Ephesians 6:10-18 is the armor that believers are instructed to put on for spiritual warfare, and it has been provided by God.
The Lord's armor of Isaiah 59 was referred to as garments of vengeance. He put on these garments due to his displeasure with the lack of peace, justice, righteousness, truth, and honesty among his people (Isaiah 59:8-15) The one word that sums up these attributes is character.
"The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice...he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him." (Isaiah 59:15-16)
"He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak." (Isaiah 59:17)
The believer is to put on Jesus Christ....who is the Fullness of the Godhead. Spiritual warfare is not won by brute force, but the warriors character is their defense. The battle is spiritual and must be fought in God's strength, depending on God's word and on reliance on God through prayer.
The prophet Isaiah also speaks of the symbolic clothing of the Messiah. (Isaiah 11:1-9)
Terminology is similar to that found in Ephesians 6:10-18 and Isaiah 59:16-17) Will discuss in more detail.