Put On Your Armour
By Ryan Dawson
“Men, remember to put your armour on!” That was the simple but powerful encouragement one of our Sequoia men offered this week as we gathered to strengthen and encourage one another. It wasn’t shouted. It wasn’t dramatic. It was brotherly, pastoral, and deeply needed.
We are blessed to live in Canada—a nation marked by peace, stability, and one of the highest standards of living in the world. And yet, those very blessings can lull us into forgetting an important truth: as followers of Jesus, we are a people at war.
Scripture is clear that the Christian life includes spiritual conflict. Jesus decisively defeated the powers of sin, death, and hell at the cross. The outcome of the battle is not in question—Christ has already won. And yet, until Jesus returns to set all things right, the enemy continues to resist, deceive, and discourage. We fight not for victory, but from victory—the victory Jesus secured through His death and resurrection.
In this battle, the enemy’s most common weapons are deception and discouragement. We are tempted to believe lies about God—that He isn’t good, but distant and indifferent. We are also tempted to believe lies about ourselves—that we are defined by our failures, fears, or limitations rather than by who we are in Christ. And when our focus drifts from our reigning King to our difficult circumstances, discouragement and despair can quietly take hold.
But we are not without hope. We serve a risen and reigning King, and “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Still, like a knight entering battle, we must be intentional. We must daily put on the armour God has already provided so that we can stand firm against the schemes of the enemy.
The Apostle Paul reminds us of this in Ephesians 6:10–18 (NLT):
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world…
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
Each of us is facing challenges in this season—pressures at work, relational strain, health concerns, uncertainty about the future. It’s important to remember that beneath what we can see is a spiritual battle for hearts, minds, and souls. And yet, we do not need to fear. The victory belongs to Jesus.
We are called to stand in the authority of Christ and to actively use the spiritual weapons He has given us. A friend once shared the following prayer with me, and I’ve found it to be a helpful way to “pray up” and consciously put on the armour of God each day.
May it strengthen you as you stand firm in Christ.
Fighting with you,
Ryan
Praying on the Armour of God
Heavenly Father,
Your warrior prepares for battle today. I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armour of God.
I put on the Belt of Truth. May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word and not be taken captive by the enemy’s lies.
I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness. Guard my heart from evil, and keep me pure and holy, protected by the blood of Jesus Christ.
I put on the Shoes of Peace. May I stand firm in the Good News of the gospel, and may Your peace shine through me to all I encounter.
I take up the Shield of Faith. Prepare me to extinguish every fiery dart of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.
I put on the Helmet of Salvation. Guard my mind, Lord, and keep my thoughts anchored in You so the enemy gains no foothold.
I take the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. May Your living Word be ready in my hands to expose lies and overcome temptation.
By faith, I have put on the whole armour of God. I am prepared to live this day in the victory of Jesus Christ.
In His mighty name,
Amen.
“Men, remember to put your armour on!” That was the simple but powerful encouragement one of our Sequoia men offered this week as we gathered to strengthen and encourage one another. It wasn’t shouted. It wasn’t dramatic. It was brotherly, pastoral, and deeply needed.
We are blessed to live in Canada—a nation marked by peace, stability, and one of the highest standards of living in the world. And yet, those very blessings can lull us into forgetting an important truth: as followers of Jesus, we are a people at war.
Scripture is clear that the Christian life includes spiritual conflict. Jesus decisively defeated the powers of sin, death, and hell at the cross. The outcome of the battle is not in question—Christ has already won. And yet, until Jesus returns to set all things right, the enemy continues to resist, deceive, and discourage. We fight not for victory, but from victory—the victory Jesus secured through His death and resurrection.
In this battle, the enemy’s most common weapons are deception and discouragement. We are tempted to believe lies about God—that He isn’t good, but distant and indifferent. We are also tempted to believe lies about ourselves—that we are defined by our failures, fears, or limitations rather than by who we are in Christ. And when our focus drifts from our reigning King to our difficult circumstances, discouragement and despair can quietly take hold.
But we are not without hope. We serve a risen and reigning King, and “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Still, like a knight entering battle, we must be intentional. We must daily put on the armour God has already provided so that we can stand firm against the schemes of the enemy.
The Apostle Paul reminds us of this in Ephesians 6:10–18 (NLT):
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world…
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
Each of us is facing challenges in this season—pressures at work, relational strain, health concerns, uncertainty about the future. It’s important to remember that beneath what we can see is a spiritual battle for hearts, minds, and souls. And yet, we do not need to fear. The victory belongs to Jesus.
We are called to stand in the authority of Christ and to actively use the spiritual weapons He has given us. A friend once shared the following prayer with me, and I’ve found it to be a helpful way to “pray up” and consciously put on the armour of God each day.
May it strengthen you as you stand firm in Christ.
Fighting with you,
Ryan
Praying on the Armour of God
Heavenly Father,
Your warrior prepares for battle today. I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armour of God.
I put on the Belt of Truth. May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word and not be taken captive by the enemy’s lies.
I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness. Guard my heart from evil, and keep me pure and holy, protected by the blood of Jesus Christ.
I put on the Shoes of Peace. May I stand firm in the Good News of the gospel, and may Your peace shine through me to all I encounter.
I take up the Shield of Faith. Prepare me to extinguish every fiery dart of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.
I put on the Helmet of Salvation. Guard my mind, Lord, and keep my thoughts anchored in You so the enemy gains no foothold.
I take the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. May Your living Word be ready in my hands to expose lies and overcome temptation.
By faith, I have put on the whole armour of God. I am prepared to live this day in the victory of Jesus Christ.
In His mighty name,
Amen.