When Paul talks about the armor of God in Ephesians 6, he’s not asking us to picture ourselves suiting up with invisible gear like some kind of spiritual superhero. Paul has something far deeper in mind. The armor is not a mystical ritual or a mental exercise. It’s a picture of what it looks like to live each day in union with Christ.
Union with Christ is one of the most beautiful truths in the New Testament. It means that through faith, the believer is joined to Jesus in such a way that everything He has done, everything He gives, and everything He is becomes the source of our life. The Christian doesn’t stand in the battle alone; he stands in Jesus.
Let me break this down in a way that’s simple, biblical, and deeply encouraging.
1. Christ is not just with you. You are in Him.
Paul’s favorite phrase in Ephesians is “in Him.”
“In Him we have redemption.”
“In Him we were chosen.”
“In Him you also were sealed.”
Those aren’t poetic expressions. They’re describing a new spiritual reality.
Christ isn’t merely beside you cheering you on. You are united with Him. His life shapes your life. His power strengthens your weakness. His victory covers your struggle.
We don’t follow Jesus from a distance. We participate in all that He is.
2. The armor is really “Christ Himself” given to you.
Every piece of armor Paul lists is simply a different angle on who Jesus is and what He provides.
- Truth – Jesus is the truth.
- Righteousness – Jesus is our righteousness.
- Gospel peace – Jesus is our peace.
- Faith – Jesus is the faithful and trustworthy One.
- Salvation – Jesus is our Savior.
- The Word – Jesus is the Word made flesh.
Putting on the armor isn’t imagining a helmet and shield. It’s putting on Christ Himself (Romans 13:14).
That means the armor is relational, not mechanical. We don’t “gear up” by formulas. We draw near to Christ.
3. Union with Christ means His strength becomes your strength.
Spiritual warfare doesn’t begin with our effort.
It begins with His supply.
You aren’t trying to scrape together enough truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and hope to hold your life together. You receive those things as gifts from the One you are united with.
It’s like plugging a lamp into the outlet…the lamp shines, but the power isn’t coming from the lamp.
The Christian shines because he is connected to Christ.
4. Union with Christ means you fight in His victory, not yours.
Christ has already triumphed over rulers, authorities, and every spiritual power (Ephesians 1:20–23). The decisive battle has been won. The war is not about earning victory but standing in the One who already secured it.
You don’t fight for victory. You fight from victory.
Your enemy is real, but he is defeated. Your struggle is serious, but it’s not uncertain.
Because you are in Christ, His triumph shapes your fight.
5. Union with Christ is daily. So, the armor is daily.
Putting on the armor is not a one-time “spiritual moment.”
It’s a lifestyle of walking in the reality of Christ’s presence and power.
It looks like:
- Thinking with His truth.
- Resting in His righteousness.
- Walking in His peace.
- Trusting His promises.
- Anchoring your mind in His salvation.
- Using His Word with wisdom and humility.
This is the armor.
This is the Christian life lived in Christ.
The Big Picture
The armor of God is simply the gospel applied. And the gospel connects us to Christ Himself.
If you are in Christ, you are never unarmed, never unprotected, never alone. Every piece of armor is already yours in Him. The daily call is to remember it, live in it, and stand firm.
Stand in Christ…and stand strong.
Steven Bradshaw 