The Shield, Helmet and Sword

What does it mean to put on the whole armor of God? In this sermon on Ephesians 6:16–17 titled "The Shield, Helmet, and Sword," Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues his exploration of what the apostle Paul calls the armor of God. Scripture tells the Christian to be strong in the Lord, and Dr. Lloyd-Jones maintains that the strength the Lord provides for His people is in putting on the armor of God, piece by piece with prayer. Christians need every piece of armor God provides, beginning with the integument and continuing with further protection. Christians add faith to their defense so as to quench the enflaming thoughts and ideas of the enemy—the shield. This is the capacity to take particular truths from God's word and apply them appropriately. Then they think on their final salvation and deliverance from sin—the helmet. This is the Christian's blessed hope and certainty in complete victory. Finally, they take up the ultimate defensive protection in the Spirit—the sword. God provides His word to defend against spiritual warfare in hand-to-hand combat. If it comes to such a point, they lean upon the phrase, "the Bible tells me so." This completes the full armor of God.