Armored Up: Understanding Our Role in the Spiritual Battle
- The Chapel Ministry
- Sep 8
- 4 min read
What if we viewed our faith not as a weekend routine but as a daily battle? Pastor Jeremy Eastman reminded us this week that the Christian life is not a playground—it’s a battleground. From the moment we are born again into God’s kingdom, we are enlisted into a spiritual war that has been raging since the beginning of time.
But here’s the good news: we do not fight alone, and we do not fight unarmed. Christ Himself is our Commander, and He has equipped us with spiritual armor and weapons that are mighty in Him.
Christ Is Our Commander
At the center of our faith stands Jesus—not just as Savior, but as the Commander of the Lord’s army. In Ephesians 6, Paul urges us to “put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” We are not lone fighters; we are soldiers in His army, united under His authority.
Pastor Jeremy pointed us to Joshua 5:13–15, where Joshua encounters the commander of the Lord’s army. When Joshua asked if He was for Israel or for their enemies, the commander replied: “Neither. I am the commander of the army of the Lord.” This moment is powerful—it reminds us that God is not here to fit into our agendas. He is here to lead, and our role is to follow.
The Armor of God and the Power of Unity
Paul describes the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10–18:
The belt of truth
The breastplate of righteousness
The shoes of the gospel of peace
The shield of faith
The helmet of salvation
The sword of the Spirit
Each piece is essential. But Pastor Jeremy reminded us that no soldier is effective alone. Roman soldiers locked their shields together to form an unbreakable wall. In the same way, we must lock arms in prayer, worship, and fellowship. Unity makes the church unshakable.
A soldier fighting alone is vulnerable. But together, we become a powerful defense against the enemy’s schemes.
Living as Soldiers of Christ
Paul encourages us in 2 Timothy 2:3–5 to live as “good soldiers of Jesus Christ.” That means staying focused, not entangled in distractions, and keeping our eyes fixed on the mission.
Life is busy, and Pastor Jeremy shared how easy it is to get sidetracked by even good things that pull us away from God’s calling. But as Christ’s soldiers, we are called to remain focused on what matters most—pleasing our Commander and living out His mission.
Spiritual Weapons for a Spiritual Battle
The battle we fight is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers (Ephesians 6:12). That’s why Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 10:4 that our weapons are not physical, but spiritual—and mighty in God.
Pastor Jeremy highlighted some of the spiritual weapons available to us:
Prayer – Our direct line to the Commander, for strength and direction.
Truth – The foundation that holds everything else in place.
Righteousness – The breastplate that guards our hearts from condemnation.
Faith – The shield that extinguishes the fiery darts of fear and doubt.
Salvation – The helmet that protects our minds with eternal hope.
The Word of God – The sword of the Spirit, both our defense and our offense against the enemy.
But remember: soldiers don’t fight alone. We pray together, worship together, and serve together. We fight not for victory, but from victory—because Christ has already won.
Rhythms for Staying Armored
So how do we live this out each day? Here are some simple, steady rhythms to keep us strong in the Lord and His mighty power:
👉 Daily Scripture – Read Ephesians 6 this week. Each day, meditate on one piece of armor and ask God how to wear it in your life.
👉 Honest Prayer – Begin your day by asking God for strength and focus. Pray not only for yourself, but for your brothers and sisters in Christ.
👉 Community & Accountability – Link arms with another believer. Share your battles, pray for each other, and fight together.
👉 Whole-hearted Worship – Lift your voice and your life to God. Worship aligns our hearts with our Commander’s orders.
👉 Sacrificial Love – Live out the gospel by serving, forgiving, and standing with others. Love strengthens the army of Christ.
👉 Everyday Faithfulness – Stand firm in the small choices—refusing temptation, choosing kindness, speaking truth, offering encouragement.
A Prayer for This Week
Jesus, You are our Commander, and we belong to You. Teach us to put on Your armor each day. Strengthen us with truth, protect our hearts with righteousness, and steady our steps in peace. Fill us with faith, guard our minds with salvation, and equip us with Your Word. Make us a people who stand firm, fight together, and live with courage until the day You return. Amen.
Our Next Step—Together
Let’s be a church marked by strength in the Lord and unity in the Spirit. Not isolated. Not distracted. But fully armored, fully devoted, and fully alive in Christ.
👉 Pray daily for God’s strength and focus.
👉 Link arms with another believer in accountability.
👉 Read Ephesians 6 and meditate on one piece of armor each day.
We are not spectators—we are soldiers in Christ’s army.
And together, we stand.
🎥 Missed the message?
You can catch Pastor Jeremy’s full sermon here on YouTube: Watch Now
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