How to Fight Spiritual Warfare: Bible Notes on God’s Armor

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Some days and seasons of life feel like I’m surrounded by ploys of the enemy. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our battles aren’t against flesh and blood, but against the dark forces of this world. But God hasn’t left His children defenseless. Scripture shows us how to fight spiritual warfare with the armor of God.  

Knowing how to fight spiritual warfare means learning to put on the full armor of God with intention, faith, and perseverance.

Let’s walk through Ephesians 6:10–18 together and explore each piece of the armor with deeper meaning and real-life ways to wear it daily—so you can stand strong in Christ no matter what you’re facing.

How to Fight Spiritual Warfare: Bible Notes and Practical Tips

The Belt of Truth

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist… Ephesians 6:14 a

What it means:

The belt of truth is foundational—it holds everything else together. In spiritual warfare, truth anchors you in who God is, who you are in Him, and what is unchanging no matter how you feel. 

Cross-reference: 

 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. Isaiah 11:5

How to fight spiritual warfare with truth:

• Start each day in the Word. Even five minutes can focus your thoughts on God’s truth. The more we submerge ourselves in truth, the more we know it and can rely on it to keep us steadfast in Christ.
• Speak God’s Word out loud or over yourself in times of struggle. Scripture is our ultimate source of truth, and it’s important we keep it fresh in our minds (especially in times of warfare).
  
• When lies like “You’re not enough” arise, replace them with Scripture: “I am chosen and dearly loved” (Colossians 3:12).
  

Prayer: Lord, help me buckle on Your truth today. Guard my mind from lies and help me walk in the light of Your Word.

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The Breastplate of Righteousness

…with the breastplate of righteousness in place… Ephesians 6:14b

What it means:

This breastplate protects your heart—your identity, your emotions, your spiritual core. You don’t fight spiritual warfare in your own strength or worthiness. You fight clothed in Christ’s righteousness.

Cross-reference:

He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. Isaiah 59:17

How to fight spiritual warfare with Christ’s righteousness:

• Declare daily: “I am made right with God through Christ.” Remember that as a child of God, you are no longer a slave to old habits or thought patterns. You have a new identity in Christ.
• Don’t allow guilt or shame to linger—confess and walk forward in grace. While it’s tempting to hide from God when you go astray, you can confidently walk in God’s grace and trust that He has already forgiven even your deepest transgressions.
• Protect your heart from bitterness, unforgiveness, and sin that leave you exposed to attack. Even when it’s painful and difficult, trust that God can work in your heart to usher in forgiveness and grace to others.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You that I wear Your righteousness. Help me live with a clean heart and stand against anything that tries to steer me of course from pursuing you. Protect my heart against the ploys of the enemy that want to cause chaos and keep me distant from you.

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

…with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15

What it means:

God’s peace makes you immovable in battle, even when you’re surrounded by the enemy. When everything around you is chaotic, His peace steadies your steps and readies you to share His hope. While the enemy wants to cause turmoil and strife, God is a God of peace. Only He can provide peace in the storms of life!

Cross-reference:

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:15

How to fight spiritual warfare with God’s peace:

• Begin the day by asking God for His peace to transcend all of the messy moments that lay before you. Ask Him to bring scripture to mind when the chaos closes in and to help you find calm in Him, not your circumstances.
  
• Remember God’s faithfulness and how He’s provided in the past. I love to keep an anchor journal to remind me of the ways God has been faithful in my life and in the lives of His people.
  
• When fear rises, pause and pray, “Lord, lead me in Your peace. You are my refuge.” Take a few deep breaths and trust that He is with you in the storm.
  

Prayer: Lord, prepare my feet with Your peace. Help me stand firm and carry Your peace into every situation. You alone are the ultimate source of peace! When life gets messy and my burdens feel heavy, help me to cling to your peace as my ultimate source of hope.

 

The Shield of Faith

Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16

What it means:

Satan launches lies, fear, and doubts like flaming arrows. Your faith—your unwavering trust in God’s promises—puts those flames out. It’s through remembering who God is and the victory we have through Jesus that we are able to remain steadfast when the enemy launches an attack.

Cross-reference:

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”  Genesis 15:1

How to fight spiritual warfare with faith:

• Use Scripture as your defense: “God is my protector. He is with me. He is able.”
• Keep a prayer journal to remind you of answered prayers. This also serves as a simple way to pour your heart out to your Heavenly Father. He knows your struggles and is with you in the battle.
• Join with other believers in prayer and encouragement—faith is stronger together. A Christian community can be such a blessing to point you to God’s  truth and lift you up in prayer.

Prayer: Lord, I lift up my shield of faith. Help me trust You fully, even when I don’t see the way forward. You have given me what I need to stand firm and help to see you as the only way to do so.

The Helmet of Salvation

Take the helmet of salvation…Ephesians 6:17a

What it means:

The helmet guards your mind. Salvation isn’t just about your covering your past sins—it reconciles you to God.

Therefore, it should shape your daily mindset and be the cornerstone of all you do. Your relationship with your Heavenly Father should be the driving force behind every area of your life! As a child of God, you are saved, secure, and victorious in Christ!

Yet when you’re surrounded by the enemy, it can feel impossible to take your thoughts captive and focus on the Lord. By putting on the helmet of salvation, we are able to cultivate a Christ-centered mindset where we’re focused on God’s promises instead of our circumstances.

Cross-reference:

Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death. Psalm 68:20

How to fight spiritual warfare with the helmet of salvation:

• When anxious or negative thoughts creep in, remind yourself of your identity in Christ. Focus on what God has already done instead of the battle you’re facing.
• Set your mind on what is true, not on what-ifs. (See Philippians 4:8) The enemy uses fear, doubt, overwhelm, and stress to confuse God’s children. Choose to focus on the truth of God’s Word instead of the problem surrounding you.
• Use biblical affirmations to repeat truth to yourself and trust that God walks with you in the battle.

Prayer: 

Jesus, guard my mind today. I put on the helmet of salvation and choose to think thoughts that remind me of your truth, instead of succumbing to the lies of the enemy. Help me to remember that I belong to you and I already have the victory through Christ.

The Sword of the Spirit (God’s Word)

…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17b

What it means:

God’s Word is your weapon. It’s how Jesus fought the enemy in the wilderness, and it’s how you can fight too. Scripture cuts through lies, fear, and temptation like nothing else. It’s the only offensive weapon listed and the only one you’ll ever need.

Cross-reference:

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

How to fight spiritual warfare with God’s Word:

• Keep a verse close for the battle you’re facing. Speak it, write it, memorize it.
• Make scripture memorization part of your quiet time routine. Then, when fear or temptation strikes, say: “It is written…” just as Jesus did. Combat the enemy in a powerful way by quoting God’s Word.
• Make time in the Word a non-negotiable. It’s not a checklist or something to rush through each morning . Learn deep ways to engage with scripture and apply God’s Word to your life. James 1:22 reminds us,  “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Prayer:

God, let Your Word be alive in me. Remind me of Your truth when the battle feels impossible. Your Word is my anchor in the storm and the only weapon against the enemy I need.

Don’t Forget: Prayer Activates the Armor

… praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

Prayer ties it all together. It’s not a piece of armor—it’s how we engage the battle, hear God’s direction, and keep our spiritual armor fastened. Prayer is our lifeline to the Lord and we can call on Him at any moment.

How to fight spiritual warfare through prayer:

• Begin and end your day talking to God—honestly and openly. We don’t have to feign perfection or come to the Lord when we feel good enough. The grace and mercy poured out for us at the cross allows us to enter in His presence at any time.
• Pray Scripture aloud throughout the day. It strengthens your heart and silences the enemy. These ideas to pray-on-the-go are perfect for busy seasons, too.
• Keep a master prayer list- a list of people and situations to pray over. It keeps your heart aligned with God’s power and purposes.

This is the master prayer list and journal I love and use daily from the Rooted in the Gospel Bible Study Journal.

It’s a simple, but powerful way to keep my prayer life strong and keep me seeking the Lord.

Final Thoughts: You Can Fight Spiritual Warfare

Friend, learning how to fight spiritual warfare isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being prepared.

It’s about leaning on God, staying rooted in truth, and walking in daily surrender and dependence on Him.

When the battle rages, you don’t have to panic. You are equipped. You are not alone. You are clothed in the armor of a victorious King.

So each morning, take a few moments and pray through the armor. Say it out loud.

Stand tall. You are a warrior—not because of who you are, but because of whose you are.