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The Whole Armor of God: How Christ's Victory Strengthens Us for Spiritual Warfare
“A battle manual for every Christian.” —Sinclair B. Ferguson
The Christian life is a battle. We are in a daily struggle against the world, sin, and Satan.
But God didn’t leave us to fend for ourselves. He gave us his own armor—armor that Jesus has already worn on our behalf all the way to the cross. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is now at work inside of us. This book unpacks each of the pieces of spiritual armor Paul describes in Ephesians 6, inviting us to take up the armor each day, all while resting in the finished victory of Christ and the assurance that our strength for the battle comes from him.
The Christian life is a battle. We are in a daily struggle against the world, sin, and Satan.
But God didn’t leave us to fend for ourselves. He gave us his own armor—armor that Jesus has already worn on our behalf all the way to the cross. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is now at work inside of us. This book unpacks each of the pieces of spiritual armor Paul describes in Ephesians 6, inviting us to take up the armor each day, all while resting in the finished victory of Christ and the assurance that our strength for the battle comes from him.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2019
97 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
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July 25, 2019
First sentence: Over recent years, there have been many television shows aimed at helping people get properly dressed.
The book is a study of Ephesians 6:10-18.
Who should read The Whole Armor of God?! One might as well ask who should not read The Whole Armor of God?! It is just that good. And I do love it when MUST-READ books happen to fall around the 125 page mark. It should be read by believers of all ages and stages. It should be read by all believers because all believers wear the armor. This book is not for "super-Christians." Duguid reminds readers, "the choice is not whether you will be a Christian soldier or a Christian civilian but whether you will be a prepared Christian soldier or an unprepared one. And an unprepared soldier of flesh and blood will not be able to stand against the scale of the spiritual forces ranged against him or her."
The first chapter, "Dressed for Battle," covers the introductory verses that serve as the preface to the armor of God. Duguid wants his readers to have a proper big-picture perspective for understanding and applying the armor. It is essential that believers understand the SCALE OF OUR NEED; it is essential that believers comprehend the VASTNESS OF GOD'S PROVISION; it is essential that believers take seriously the CALL TO STAND. If you fail to take into account any of these three, then your understanding of the armor of God might be a little warped. And a misunderstanding could lead to misapplication.
I love the example he gives: "What many of us hear in these words [Ephesians 6:13-17] is a call to triumphant action, as if it is completely up to us to take on the devil and withstand his schemes. If we would just put on the whole armor of God, we should therefore constantly be able to stand firm against all of Satan’s schemes. God has done his part perfectly in making the armor available; now it is up to us to choose whether to use it. Meanwhile, God appears helpless in heaven, waiting to see how it all turns out. When this wrong understanding holds sway, Christians get sorted into one of two camps. Some choose to be radical disciples of Jesus and live an epic life by putting on that armor. Others, by their neglect, become those “loser” Christians who are regularly tripped up by the devil’s schemes, falling into sin daily, leaving God perpetually disappointed. In reality, many of us find ourselves daily in the second category: we are often unwilling and unable even to think clearly about the armor, let alone put it on...If sanctification were as simple as some suggest (“Just try harder to put on the armor!”), we would not fail and fall in the Christian life nearly as much as we do." (Emphasis mine)
Isn't it easy--even when you KNOW better--to fall into this mindset?! To shift the focus from Christ's wearing of the armor to OUR WEARING OF THE ARMOR. I think this is fairly common as well. Duguid writes, "An inevitable result of this self-focused perspective on our spiritual growth is that we become proud of ourselves and judgmental of others if we think that we are doing well in our struggle against sin and Satan. After all, we chose to put on God’s armor while they made poor choices."
The BIGGIE insight of chapter one is, "Our sanctification rests first and foremost on the finished work of Christ in our place. As we shall see, the armor of God is quite literally God’s armor—armor designed for and worn by God first and foremost. The armor God gives us to defend and protect us against Satan’s onslaught is the armor that he has already worn in the decisive battle on our behalf. We fight and stand firm against Satan only in the strength that comes from the victory that Christ has already won for us. That is why each of the various pieces of armor points us to Christ. The belt of truth is the belt that girds the messianic king in Isaiah 11:5. The breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation come from the divine warrior’s arsenal in Isaiah 59:17. The feet shod with gospel readiness are the feet of those who proclaim the arrival of Messiah’s kingdom in Isaiah 52:7. God himself is the shield of faith, as he describes himself in Genesis 15. The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is the weapon wielded by the promised servant of the Lord in Isaiah 49:2. What God clothes us with is nothing less than his own armor, the same armor that Christ has already worn on our behalf in his lifelong struggle with the mortal enemy of our souls, Satan himself. You are called to wear the armor of God not because that’s what Jesus would do if he found himself in a similar situation; you are called to wear God’s armor because that is what Jesus has already done, wearing God’s armor all the way to the cross."
This may just be the BIGGIE insight of the entire book. And it's a potential life-changer or game-changer. Hence why this book is a must-read in my opinion. Every believer needs to grasp these key truths about justification, sanctification, propitiation, and imputation. And these are the key doctrines being taught throughout the book AS Duguid unpacks Ephesians 6.
Every day believers can take joy from knowing that, "Your victory over sin belongs to Jesus, not you. Jesus’s struggle was the decisive one, not yours. His victory on the cross purchased your complete sanctification, your ultimate holiness before God. His Spirit is at work within you growing you at the rate that he intends toward his goal of your complete purity. Your sanctification is where he plans for it to be... Fight the good fight with all your might. Wrestle with all the energy that the Spirit gives you. But in the midst of that standing, fighting, and wrestling, don’t forget to rest in the finished victory of Christ and the assurance that the Spirit’s perfect sanctifying work in your life is what counts."
In the following chapters, "The Belt of Truth," "The Breastplate of Righteousness," "Gospel Boots," "The Shield of Faith," "The Helmet of Salvation," and "The Sword of the Spirit" Duguid unpacks spiritual truths one by one from the Ephesians passage. These chapters are packed with insight but also quite practical. I love that he teaches from the Old Testament and the New Testament, highlighting how Paul was using Old Testament texts and applying them in light of Christ. Believers not familiar with the Old Testament may not be aware of these connections and how they are among the OT passages that point to Christ.
The last chapter, "Praying Always," [Ephesians 6:18-20] focuses on prayer. "The armory needs to be under the control of the pilot; you and I need to be in close contact with God. And the means by which we stay in contact is prayer. Prayer is not so much another weapon that the Christian has been given as it is the means by which all of his or her weaponry is kept effective, under the control and guidance of God."
The book is a study of Ephesians 6:10-18.
Who should read The Whole Armor of God?! One might as well ask who should not read The Whole Armor of God?! It is just that good. And I do love it when MUST-READ books happen to fall around the 125 page mark. It should be read by believers of all ages and stages. It should be read by all believers because all believers wear the armor. This book is not for "super-Christians." Duguid reminds readers, "the choice is not whether you will be a Christian soldier or a Christian civilian but whether you will be a prepared Christian soldier or an unprepared one. And an unprepared soldier of flesh and blood will not be able to stand against the scale of the spiritual forces ranged against him or her."
The first chapter, "Dressed for Battle," covers the introductory verses that serve as the preface to the armor of God. Duguid wants his readers to have a proper big-picture perspective for understanding and applying the armor. It is essential that believers understand the SCALE OF OUR NEED; it is essential that believers comprehend the VASTNESS OF GOD'S PROVISION; it is essential that believers take seriously the CALL TO STAND. If you fail to take into account any of these three, then your understanding of the armor of God might be a little warped. And a misunderstanding could lead to misapplication.
I love the example he gives: "What many of us hear in these words [Ephesians 6:13-17] is a call to triumphant action, as if it is completely up to us to take on the devil and withstand his schemes. If we would just put on the whole armor of God, we should therefore constantly be able to stand firm against all of Satan’s schemes. God has done his part perfectly in making the armor available; now it is up to us to choose whether to use it. Meanwhile, God appears helpless in heaven, waiting to see how it all turns out. When this wrong understanding holds sway, Christians get sorted into one of two camps. Some choose to be radical disciples of Jesus and live an epic life by putting on that armor. Others, by their neglect, become those “loser” Christians who are regularly tripped up by the devil’s schemes, falling into sin daily, leaving God perpetually disappointed. In reality, many of us find ourselves daily in the second category: we are often unwilling and unable even to think clearly about the armor, let alone put it on...If sanctification were as simple as some suggest (“Just try harder to put on the armor!”), we would not fail and fall in the Christian life nearly as much as we do." (Emphasis mine)
Isn't it easy--even when you KNOW better--to fall into this mindset?! To shift the focus from Christ's wearing of the armor to OUR WEARING OF THE ARMOR. I think this is fairly common as well. Duguid writes, "An inevitable result of this self-focused perspective on our spiritual growth is that we become proud of ourselves and judgmental of others if we think that we are doing well in our struggle against sin and Satan. After all, we chose to put on God’s armor while they made poor choices."
The BIGGIE insight of chapter one is, "Our sanctification rests first and foremost on the finished work of Christ in our place. As we shall see, the armor of God is quite literally God’s armor—armor designed for and worn by God first and foremost. The armor God gives us to defend and protect us against Satan’s onslaught is the armor that he has already worn in the decisive battle on our behalf. We fight and stand firm against Satan only in the strength that comes from the victory that Christ has already won for us. That is why each of the various pieces of armor points us to Christ. The belt of truth is the belt that girds the messianic king in Isaiah 11:5. The breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation come from the divine warrior’s arsenal in Isaiah 59:17. The feet shod with gospel readiness are the feet of those who proclaim the arrival of Messiah’s kingdom in Isaiah 52:7. God himself is the shield of faith, as he describes himself in Genesis 15. The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is the weapon wielded by the promised servant of the Lord in Isaiah 49:2. What God clothes us with is nothing less than his own armor, the same armor that Christ has already worn on our behalf in his lifelong struggle with the mortal enemy of our souls, Satan himself. You are called to wear the armor of God not because that’s what Jesus would do if he found himself in a similar situation; you are called to wear God’s armor because that is what Jesus has already done, wearing God’s armor all the way to the cross."
This may just be the BIGGIE insight of the entire book. And it's a potential life-changer or game-changer. Hence why this book is a must-read in my opinion. Every believer needs to grasp these key truths about justification, sanctification, propitiation, and imputation. And these are the key doctrines being taught throughout the book AS Duguid unpacks Ephesians 6.
Every day believers can take joy from knowing that, "Your victory over sin belongs to Jesus, not you. Jesus’s struggle was the decisive one, not yours. His victory on the cross purchased your complete sanctification, your ultimate holiness before God. His Spirit is at work within you growing you at the rate that he intends toward his goal of your complete purity. Your sanctification is where he plans for it to be... Fight the good fight with all your might. Wrestle with all the energy that the Spirit gives you. But in the midst of that standing, fighting, and wrestling, don’t forget to rest in the finished victory of Christ and the assurance that the Spirit’s perfect sanctifying work in your life is what counts."
In the following chapters, "The Belt of Truth," "The Breastplate of Righteousness," "Gospel Boots," "The Shield of Faith," "The Helmet of Salvation," and "The Sword of the Spirit" Duguid unpacks spiritual truths one by one from the Ephesians passage. These chapters are packed with insight but also quite practical. I love that he teaches from the Old Testament and the New Testament, highlighting how Paul was using Old Testament texts and applying them in light of Christ. Believers not familiar with the Old Testament may not be aware of these connections and how they are among the OT passages that point to Christ.
The last chapter, "Praying Always," [Ephesians 6:18-20] focuses on prayer. "The armory needs to be under the control of the pilot; you and I need to be in close contact with God. And the means by which we stay in contact is prayer. Prayer is not so much another weapon that the Christian has been given as it is the means by which all of his or her weaponry is kept effective, under the control and guidance of God."
February 15, 2022
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood..."
Christian living is so full because it is a life lived in both the physical and spiritual realms. Dr Duguid and Westminster Theological Seminary gifted each student this book and I am thankful for this book that enables Ephesians 6:10-20 to come alive and to allow the armour (British English/Canadian spelling!) of God to become your personal armour when you read how Jesus wears it best, and then gifts each piece of the armour to you, His sister or brother in arms.
Christian living is so full because it is a life lived in both the physical and spiritual realms. Dr Duguid and Westminster Theological Seminary gifted each student this book and I am thankful for this book that enables Ephesians 6:10-20 to come alive and to allow the armour (British English/Canadian spelling!) of God to become your personal armour when you read how Jesus wears it best, and then gifts each piece of the armour to you, His sister or brother in arms.
May 19, 2025
Simply an incredible book. One that I will definitely be returning to. This is not a how to manual for the believer to fight his or her own battles. This is a book that points it’s readers to Christ, how He has gone before us and fought the battle me won and now gives us his own armor to wear to resist the evil one and to draw near to Him.
Highly recommend this book for your sanctification and encouragement in Christ and our Gods love for you.
Highly recommend this book for your sanctification and encouragement in Christ and our Gods love for you.
June 15, 2020
What a fantastic, brief study of the armor of God. Duguid makes plain the practical application of Ephesians 6 in a way that both introduces new believers and continues to build up mature ones. This book was refreshingly gospel-centered. I would recommend it to any Christian at any point in their life.
January 30, 2024
Encouraging and Christ-centred in every chapter. Will definitely return to this book in the future.
October 20, 2024
A super helpful easier-to-read book that connected so many dots for me!
December 18, 2023
A clear presentation of the whole armor of God that doesn’t just focus on Ephesians. Duguid draws connections primarily between Isaiah and Ephesians to give a full Biblical picture of this armor. The armor of God, the armor we are to wear, is Christ’s armor. It has blood stains on it because he wore it first to give those who believe in Him the right to be called children of God. A very worthwhile read. Highly recommended.
February 16, 2020
An excellent way to look at the familiar passage in Eph. 6: we have armor to put on because Gos has already placed it on Christ. Excellent reminders for a familiar but important passage, and also some challenging thoughts to prod me into greater watchfulness.
August 16, 2021
Such an amazing breakdown of Ephesians 6:10-19! I took my time so that I could savour and mull over the different pieces of armour God has given me. It's an easy recommend to Christian friends.
August 22, 2024
Read this to prepare for going through the armor of God with our K-7th grade kids during our school-time devotionals.
I expected to appreciate the study, but was particularly blessed by its unusual combination of depth and accessibility. It challenged and stimulated me as someone who’s been studying the Bible for 30 years, but is so accessibly written, it could also be a great encouragement to a high school student and/or brand new Christian. If my 7th grader was my youngest instead of my oldest, we’d do this book just as it is. With our current age range I’ll need to summarize some, but I feel well-prepared now and personally greatly encouraged by this study.
I expected to appreciate the study, but was particularly blessed by its unusual combination of depth and accessibility. It challenged and stimulated me as someone who’s been studying the Bible for 30 years, but is so accessibly written, it could also be a great encouragement to a high school student and/or brand new Christian. If my 7th grader was my youngest instead of my oldest, we’d do this book just as it is. With our current age range I’ll need to summarize some, but I feel well-prepared now and personally greatly encouraged by this study.
October 17, 2019
I received an ARC of this book from Crossway via NetGalley, this review is my personal opinion.
Great book, with clear information, well written and Biblical sound. An important subject I truly like how Ian M Duguid writes it. In a tone that I believe is looking to bring awakening and opening to the importance of using the Whole Armor of God and how that change is view in our Christian life. I like that this book, although has a very serious and profound theological theme it is also a personal and reachable book. The other thing I also liked was the section of questions in my case was a surprise and got me thinking about my answers. I think this book could be a great opportunity for a Bible study for individuals or groups. I recommend this book because I believe we all need to be clear, alert and know how to wear the armor of God and the spiritual war we daily live.
Grateful to Crossway for the ARC of this book.
Great book, with clear information, well written and Biblical sound. An important subject I truly like how Ian M Duguid writes it. In a tone that I believe is looking to bring awakening and opening to the importance of using the Whole Armor of God and how that change is view in our Christian life. I like that this book, although has a very serious and profound theological theme it is also a personal and reachable book. The other thing I also liked was the section of questions in my case was a surprise and got me thinking about my answers. I think this book could be a great opportunity for a Bible study for individuals or groups. I recommend this book because I believe we all need to be clear, alert and know how to wear the armor of God and the spiritual war we daily live.
Grateful to Crossway for the ARC of this book.
October 4, 2021
Nice little book on the battle of the Christian life, and about how Christ first wore the armour of God perfectly for us.
“If he can carry the weight of the sins of all his people - past, present and future - then he can certainly manage your personal collection.”
“If he can carry the weight of the sins of all his people - past, present and future - then he can certainly manage your personal collection.”
June 23, 2025
…adding to the imbalance in this wrestling match is the fact that although our opponents are not flesh and blood, we are. 1 Peter 5:8
The choice is not whether you will be a Christian soldier or a Christian civilian but whether you will be a prepared Christian soldier or an unprepared one.
Your victory over sin belongs to Jesus, not you. Jesus's struggle was the decisive one, not yours.
Westminster Confession of Faith:
The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave, for a season, his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and, to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon himself, and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends.
Nothing gives us more passion for the righteousness of Christ than a specific and growing awareness of our own brokenness.
A belt is no help to you hanging in your closet; you have to put it on. Similarly, truth is of no value to you hanging unused in God's Word. You need to put it on. You need to become adept at connecting the Bible to your life.
The measure of that time of study and prayer is not, "Did it leave me with a warm glow all over?" Rather, it is, "Did it equip me with truth? Is there some aspect of God's Word that I now understand better, which I can now use more effectively in my life?
G. K. Chesterton:
Men have always one of two things: either a complete and conscious philosophy or the unconscious acceptance of the broken bits of some incomplete and often discredited philosophy.
..Philosophy is merely thought that has been thought out. It is often a great bore. But man has no alternative, except between being influenced by thought that has been thought out and being influenced by thought that has not been thought out.
We sometimes turn our study of the Bible into an academic exercise, as if we were reading to get an A on a test rather than to equip our souls for mortal combat. At other times, we may recognize clearly how a Bible passage applies to other people, while completely missing what it has to say to confront and correct us.
Our weak grasp on the truth will never be enough to save us.
Even when I am trying to obey God, I regularly do, say, and think things that are either against what God tells me to do or not in line with what God tells me I ought to do, which is sin.
Luke 15:11-32
It wasn't love for his father but spiritual pride that led the elder brother to stay home. He was just as spiritually broken as his younger sibling; he was just better at hiding it.
For many of us, it is actually our own weakness and the profound spiritual brokenness that lead us to behave so obediently. We don't actually obey God out of love and gratitude but out of a self-centered and joyless desire to prove our own value. In the gospel, elder brothers can also receive a new and perfect righteousness that is given to them as a free gift in Christ.
The righteousness of Christ, painfully won for us at the cross, motivates us to strive hard toward an obedience that fits the new nature God is working in us.
When you see that the righteousness obtained for us on the cross gives us profound security in God's love and powerful motivation against sin, you can see why Paul describes righteousness as our breastplate in our fight against the devil.
Two of the chief lies that the devil wants us to believe, which are that God doesn't really love us and that sin doesn't really matter.
…the righteousness of God has been given to us in Christ. As we strap that righteousness on as our breastplate, it protects our heart against Satan's vicious lie that God cannot really find pleasure in us.
The Lord reigns! - Because that is true, you can know that whatever you have of those things, you have as a good gift from your Father. Whatever you lack of those things, you lack because a loving Father knows that it would be better for you not to have them right now. These things are not your identity. If you lose any or all of those blessings, you still have the one thing that really matters in this world if you have Christ. You therefore have the freedom to enjoy whatever measure of those good things God has given you, but you also have the freedom to live at peace without them, knowing that they don't define you and give you your sense of value. They are not your peace.
D. T. Niles | “Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread."
Jesus shows us a life lived at God's pace- never lazy or idle but never driven either, calmly communicating the good news of his own presence to all those whom his Father brought across his path. He did that for us so that we too could have peace with God— a message of good news for ourselves and to share with all those around us.
If Jesus has already defeated death and purchased your place in heaven, why would he not also be triumphant over all the lesser trials and difficulties that you face in your life?
Your hope of salvation thus protects you in the deepest, darkest valleys of your life by reminding you of God's power and his care for you. Of course, hope encourages you to hold lightly to the good things of this world as well, for these too we shall also leave behind one day. The highs as well as the lows in life are put in their proper perspective in the light of the all-surpassing glory of our salvation in Jesus Christ.
And if God calls us to serve faithfully in an area where there is little visible fruit for our efforts, hope reminds us that what we see is not what we get. If God has loved us enough to send Christ to the cross on our behalf, he will not waste a life lived in faithfulness to his call.
Hope also encourages us to resist sin, knowing that one day sin will be left behind. Romans 6:14
If our desire is simply to know and do what God has revealed in his Word, then there is nothing to debate. Whether we are going to get caught doesn't matter. Whether anyone sees us doesn't matter. Whether everyone is doing it doesn't matter. The issue is, what has God said? The Word of God is a sharp sword that drives away the devil.
In the midst of difficulties, we turn to the Word with a greater hunger, and it confronts us with a vision of the really important things in life. Matt 4:4, Ps 27:4
That's why, just as communication issues in marriage are usually diagnostic of deeper issues in the relationship, problems in prayer are not fundamentally a prayer issue; they are a relational issue. Why am I so slow to pray, and when I do come to pray, why do I find it so hard to focus my mind? It's not because I need to learn better techniques of prayer; it's because I'm not thinking and feeling rightly about who God is and who I am in Christ.
I'm not really praying "in the Spirit" to a Father who knows and dearly loves me; I'm acting as if I'm petitioning a distant deity who may or may not be concerned about me.
October 28, 2019
While the days of battling with sword and shield may be over, Scripture teaches us that there is a battle going on, and that we are a part of it. In Ephesians 6, we read about the call for the Christian to put on armor for the battle, “take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (6:11).
I have often read this and understood that the armor was my own, that it was my own strength to put it on and to walk in it. Iain Duguid, in his book “The Whole Armor of God: How Christ’s Victory Strengthens Us for Spiritual Warfare” reminds us that this armor is not our own.
“You are called to wear the armor of God not because that’s what Jesus would do if he found himself in a similar situation; you are called to wear God’s armor because that is what Jesus has already done, wearing God’s armor all the way to the cross.”
See, we fight the battle against the enemy with “the strength that we already have in the victory that Christ has already won for us.” The armor was worn first by Christ, it is his armor, and our sanctification rests in the work that He finished on the cross.
Of course this does not limit our role to mere bystanders, we continue the fight, to battle our sin daily, but our struggle is not hopeless, it rests confidently in the what Jesus has already done.
The book goes through each piece of the armor in Ephesians 6, reminding us how Christ has worn this armor for us, and the activities we engage in to make our armor effective. Lastly, he reminds us that the powerful reality of our armor is dependant on our walking in nearness to the Lord in prayer. He writes, “prayer is not so much another weapon that the Christian has been given as it is the means by which all of his or her weaponry is kept effective, under the control and guidance of God.”
I gave this book 5 stars! It’s written for the believer who wants to grow in their understanding of the armor of God and learn how to put it on.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I have often read this and understood that the armor was my own, that it was my own strength to put it on and to walk in it. Iain Duguid, in his book “The Whole Armor of God: How Christ’s Victory Strengthens Us for Spiritual Warfare” reminds us that this armor is not our own.
“You are called to wear the armor of God not because that’s what Jesus would do if he found himself in a similar situation; you are called to wear God’s armor because that is what Jesus has already done, wearing God’s armor all the way to the cross.”
See, we fight the battle against the enemy with “the strength that we already have in the victory that Christ has already won for us.” The armor was worn first by Christ, it is his armor, and our sanctification rests in the work that He finished on the cross.
Of course this does not limit our role to mere bystanders, we continue the fight, to battle our sin daily, but our struggle is not hopeless, it rests confidently in the what Jesus has already done.
The book goes through each piece of the armor in Ephesians 6, reminding us how Christ has worn this armor for us, and the activities we engage in to make our armor effective. Lastly, he reminds us that the powerful reality of our armor is dependant on our walking in nearness to the Lord in prayer. He writes, “prayer is not so much another weapon that the Christian has been given as it is the means by which all of his or her weaponry is kept effective, under the control and guidance of God.”
I gave this book 5 stars! It’s written for the believer who wants to grow in their understanding of the armor of God and learn how to put it on.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2019
This book begins with a full chapter explaining the armor of God, with details about Ephesus at the time Paul has written to them. The author makes a parallel to the popular fashion improvement television shows and goes on to explain why the armor of God is essential for fighting the enemy.
Each chapter then focuses on one part of the armor, ending with further reflection questions. The final chapter delves into prayer and how the Bible instructs us to pray. I would gladly welcome a book all about prayer from this author.
When I was first saved, Ephesians was the first book of the Bible I has the opportunity to study, so it is a topic that holds significance for me. I think this book is a fantastic introduction to what can be considered a difficult topic and can also be read by those who have studied at length. I appreciate the reflection questions included in each chapter, as they are thought provoking as an individual but would also be good to foster group discussion.
I received an ebook of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The powerful combination of the world, the flesh, and the devil is inevitably overwhelming, left to ourselves. This is why Paul doesn’t merely say, “Bring the armor of God along with you on the off chance that you might need it.” Rather, he says, “You will need it; so put it on.”
Each chapter then focuses on one part of the armor, ending with further reflection questions. The final chapter delves into prayer and how the Bible instructs us to pray. I would gladly welcome a book all about prayer from this author.
When I was first saved, Ephesians was the first book of the Bible I has the opportunity to study, so it is a topic that holds significance for me. I think this book is a fantastic introduction to what can be considered a difficult topic and can also be read by those who have studied at length. I appreciate the reflection questions included in each chapter, as they are thought provoking as an individual but would also be good to foster group discussion.
I received an ebook of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The powerful combination of the world, the flesh, and the devil is inevitably overwhelming, left to ourselves. This is why Paul doesn’t merely say, “Bring the armor of God along with you on the off chance that you might need it.” Rather, he says, “You will need it; so put it on.”
September 18, 2020
Simple, yet so informative. A short book that looks at how Christ has already worn and won the armor of God for us and how that leads us to stand strong against Satan and to grow in Christian maturity. I'd never really thought of this concept before and it was fascinating. The last two chapters on the Sword of the Spirit and prayer were particularly great.
March 19, 2021
A different take
I’ve got to admit, I thought this would be a boring read, but he approached the subject with a fresh view.
I’ve got to admit, I thought this would be a boring read, but he approached the subject with a fresh view.
July 30, 2019
★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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When I was in High School, it would've been easy to get the idea that the central defining pericope for the New Testament believer's life was Ephesians 6:10-18 -- thanks to Frank Peretti, Carmen, ETW, and the like. The idea was this is a call to arms -- notably with a stirring call to victory -- to stand against Satan's schemes and wrestle with the spiritual forces. It's a militant type of sanctification, and while well-intentioned, it's sloppy exegesis and ignores too many other things that Paul, Peter, other apostles, and the rest of Scripture tell us about the struggle of faith and the slow work of repentance. Of course, that was a long time ago, and many of those names would be unfamiliar to people (especially contemporary high schoolers), but the ideas are not. I know that Duguid is familiar with this because he talks about it in Chapter 1, which was pretty encouraging, because I'd mentally drafted this paragraph before I started the book.
After that dash of synchronicity, Duguid goes on to describe the armor Paul is actually describing in the passage -- the armor that God Himself wore into battle and now provides for His people to wear. The rest of the book is devoted to him showing how Christ's work and benefits are depicted through this armor. He spends a chapter per piece of armor: The Belt of Truth, The Breastplate of Righteousness, Gospel Boots, The Shield of Faith, The Helmet of Salvation, The Sword of the Spirit and Praying Always. He traces the use of the imagery throughout Scripture, showing Paul's lines of thought -- primarily through the Psalms and Prophets. These are not new ideas that Paul introduces to the Ephesians, but part of the warp and woof of redemptive history.
Yes, frequently Duguid calls his readers to use the armor in ways similar to the abuses I mentioned above (abuses might be too strong a word in some cases, but I think it fits the overall movement). But he does so while they're properly rooted, and done in faith. And that's always the last thing in his chapters.
Primarily, this book is an encouragement for the believer. I remember when I first encountered Reformed Theology what a revolutionary and wonderful thing it was to discover that the Gospel is for Christians, too. Duguid's main task is demonstrating how each part of the armor is Good News for those united to Christ by faith first and foremost. There are parts of this book that I'll go back to for further study on that point alone.
There are moments of evangelism for the non-believer as well. For the Gospel is to be indiscriminately proclaimed and this book reflects that as much as it argues for it.
Yes, I wish the book was about twice as long and a little more detailed and technical. But that's not the intention, nor the audience he's writing for, so I'm not complaining, just noting. Iain Duguid isn't William Gurnall and doesn't try to be (the book would be about six times as long if he was), but he does follow similar trajectories. Duguid writes crisply, clearly and effectively. So much so that it'd be easy to breeze through the book without giving it the thought its subject deserves. There's a lot of meat for reflection and consideration here, and the discriminating reader will take advantage of it -- hopefully, less-than-discriminating readers will, too.
I enjoyed this a lot, and will likely be giving copies as gifts, as well as returning to it myself. Recommended for all ages.
Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Crossway via NetGalley in exchange for this post -- thanks to both for this.
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
When I was in High School, it would've been easy to get the idea that the central defining pericope for the New Testament believer's life was Ephesians 6:10-18 -- thanks to Frank Peretti, Carmen, ETW, and the like. The idea was this is a call to arms -- notably with a stirring call to victory -- to stand against Satan's schemes and wrestle with the spiritual forces. It's a militant type of sanctification, and while well-intentioned, it's sloppy exegesis and ignores too many other things that Paul, Peter, other apostles, and the rest of Scripture tell us about the struggle of faith and the slow work of repentance. Of course, that was a long time ago, and many of those names would be unfamiliar to people (especially contemporary high schoolers), but the ideas are not. I know that Duguid is familiar with this because he talks about it in Chapter 1, which was pretty encouraging, because I'd mentally drafted this paragraph before I started the book.
After that dash of synchronicity, Duguid goes on to describe the armor Paul is actually describing in the passage -- the armor that God Himself wore into battle and now provides for His people to wear. The rest of the book is devoted to him showing how Christ's work and benefits are depicted through this armor. He spends a chapter per piece of armor: The Belt of Truth, The Breastplate of Righteousness, Gospel Boots, The Shield of Faith, The Helmet of Salvation, The Sword of the Spirit and Praying Always. He traces the use of the imagery throughout Scripture, showing Paul's lines of thought -- primarily through the Psalms and Prophets. These are not new ideas that Paul introduces to the Ephesians, but part of the warp and woof of redemptive history.
Yes, frequently Duguid calls his readers to use the armor in ways similar to the abuses I mentioned above (abuses might be too strong a word in some cases, but I think it fits the overall movement). But he does so while they're properly rooted, and done in faith. And that's always the last thing in his chapters.
Primarily, this book is an encouragement for the believer. I remember when I first encountered Reformed Theology what a revolutionary and wonderful thing it was to discover that the Gospel is for Christians, too. Duguid's main task is demonstrating how each part of the armor is Good News for those united to Christ by faith first and foremost. There are parts of this book that I'll go back to for further study on that point alone.
There are moments of evangelism for the non-believer as well. For the Gospel is to be indiscriminately proclaimed and this book reflects that as much as it argues for it.
Yes, I wish the book was about twice as long and a little more detailed and technical. But that's not the intention, nor the audience he's writing for, so I'm not complaining, just noting. Iain Duguid isn't William Gurnall and doesn't try to be (the book would be about six times as long if he was), but he does follow similar trajectories. Duguid writes crisply, clearly and effectively. So much so that it'd be easy to breeze through the book without giving it the thought its subject deserves. There's a lot of meat for reflection and consideration here, and the discriminating reader will take advantage of it -- hopefully, less-than-discriminating readers will, too.
I enjoyed this a lot, and will likely be giving copies as gifts, as well as returning to it myself. Recommended for all ages.
Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Crossway via NetGalley in exchange for this post -- thanks to both for this.
September 29, 2019
This is a great little book about an important topic. A topic that has been covered countless times by many people. In fact, I think it is a required sermon series for every preacher and Bible Study leader. In this book Duiguid is able to help us unpack and put on the armor. Spoiler Alert. The armor is not something we pull out a closet and put on. The armor is something Christ has Himself worn as our Savior. This is why the subtitle of the book is fittingly How Christ’s Victory Strengthens us for Spiritual Warfare.
Duiguid starts by painting a picture of our need for armor to face the spiritual warfare. These are not tips to be a better spouse, parent or employee. We are in a battle with cosmic forces in the present darkness. These forces are far beyond our own capabilities. We need a captain and resources strong enough for the task. And here is our armor.
Duiguid walks through each part of the armor in short, power packed chapters. In each chapter Duguid does explain each parts importance as well as the interrelated aspect of each piece. This is one of the strengths of this book. These are not individual, separate pieces of armor, or spiritual traits. Each piece is vital and connected to each other part.
Duiguid does expound on each piece and how it is reflected in the Christian’s walk. But this is not a list of duties to perform or self help steps for a better life. Duiguid shows us how each piece was worn by Christ Himself in His earthly ministry to us. In fact, Christ wore each piece for us in His work of redemption and achieving the victory in our place.
One more strength of this book is how Duiguid reminds us that this armor is displayed all throughout Scripture. The belt in Isaiah 11, the breastplate and helmet of Isaiah 59, the shoes of Isaiah 52, the shield of Genesis 15 and the sword of Isaiah 49. All through Scripture God has been defending His people with this armor. His own Son wore that armor. And now Gods fits us to wear the armor
In the end this is not our armor. This is God’s armor, worn by Christ and fitted to use for our use in the very battle for our souls. The victory is God’s. The armor is God given. And the battle is won. We can move forward in confidence.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2019
The fight for sanctification often feels like what happened in the movie Groundhog day, in which Bill Murray's character was forced to live the same day over and over again. That is the normal way in which God teaches us the depth of our brokenness and our utter inability to change through our own willpower, so that we come to treasure the beauty of the gospel more deeply. But however many times we struggle against sin and fail in this life, our failure is not the last word; the last word is Christ's perfection, which clothes us, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit within us.
I have read several studies on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and the difference between other studies and this one was the work of Christ thru the Gospel. The mistake we (I) often make is putting on the armor of truth thru my own power instead putting on the armor thru faith in Christ. I never saw my own work for the reason for my despair when I failed or fell short. Putting on the armor of God always always has the gospel as the driving force of each weapon. The armor of God is a good visual of why and what each part entails such as the sword (the word of God) the Helmet (the salvation) but to use these to strengthen our need of the gospel makes the gospel that much more powerful. It becomes the emptying of yourself so that you can become full of the spirit. This is word is a great example...Paul talks about putting on the breastplate of righteousness, he is describing the righteousness that God gives us in the gospel, about which he wrote "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" It is easy to say as the Rich man, I have done this and I do that. It become about I and the pride sweeps in and takes away any armor that God has for us in Christ.
This is not just about putting on the Armor of God but living out the gospel. It allows the Holy Spirit to indwell in our hearts and for pride to flee. I highly recommend.
A Special Thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
I have read several studies on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and the difference between other studies and this one was the work of Christ thru the Gospel. The mistake we (I) often make is putting on the armor of truth thru my own power instead putting on the armor thru faith in Christ. I never saw my own work for the reason for my despair when I failed or fell short. Putting on the armor of God always always has the gospel as the driving force of each weapon. The armor of God is a good visual of why and what each part entails such as the sword (the word of God) the Helmet (the salvation) but to use these to strengthen our need of the gospel makes the gospel that much more powerful. It becomes the emptying of yourself so that you can become full of the spirit. This is word is a great example...Paul talks about putting on the breastplate of righteousness, he is describing the righteousness that God gives us in the gospel, about which he wrote "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" It is easy to say as the Rich man, I have done this and I do that. It become about I and the pride sweeps in and takes away any armor that God has for us in Christ.
This is not just about putting on the Armor of God but living out the gospel. It allows the Holy Spirit to indwell in our hearts and for pride to flee. I highly recommend.
A Special Thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
February 19, 2020
Some of the books we read are immensely practical but not deeply biblical. Others are biblically weighty but aren’t very practical. As Christians, we need both. This doesn’t mean that every book needs to strike this balance.
Iain Duguid’s The Whole Armor of God does a great job of striking that balance in one volume. He tackles the well-known “armor of God” section in Ephesians 6 with an emphasis on the various pieces of the armor. Duguid shows how the Christian bears that armor in the spiritual warfare we inevitably face as children of God.
Far from the superstitious, overly charismatic demon behind every bush, Duguid paints the picture of spiritual warfare in everyday life. Rather than over-spiritualizing the armor and missing the whole point of what Paul was teaching, Duguid points to the work of Christ as our armor. He says boldly that “ Jesus has himself worn the armor and won the victory” (p. 17). With this as the foundation, we can rest assured and confident as we battle each and every day.
The Whole Armor of God is doctrinally-sound, practical, and accessible. It can be useful for the pastor preparing a sermon or series on Ephesians 6. I actually used it in preparation to preach my first revival, and it was very helpful! However, it is also useful for a small group study or even daily devotional times. This book is written for Christians of all levels of maturity.
If you haven’t studied spiritual warfare or spent some time in Ephesians 6, reading through The Whole Armor of God will be time well-spent. I highly recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review.
Iain Duguid’s The Whole Armor of God does a great job of striking that balance in one volume. He tackles the well-known “armor of God” section in Ephesians 6 with an emphasis on the various pieces of the armor. Duguid shows how the Christian bears that armor in the spiritual warfare we inevitably face as children of God.
Far from the superstitious, overly charismatic demon behind every bush, Duguid paints the picture of spiritual warfare in everyday life. Rather than over-spiritualizing the armor and missing the whole point of what Paul was teaching, Duguid points to the work of Christ as our armor. He says boldly that “ Jesus has himself worn the armor and won the victory” (p. 17). With this as the foundation, we can rest assured and confident as we battle each and every day.
The Whole Armor of God is doctrinally-sound, practical, and accessible. It can be useful for the pastor preparing a sermon or series on Ephesians 6. I actually used it in preparation to preach my first revival, and it was very helpful! However, it is also useful for a small group study or even daily devotional times. This book is written for Christians of all levels of maturity.
If you haven’t studied spiritual warfare or spent some time in Ephesians 6, reading through The Whole Armor of God will be time well-spent. I highly recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review.
July 20, 2019
Crossway Publishers brings readers the latest book by trusted Bible scholar and theology professor Iain M. Duiguid, The Whole Armor of God: How Christ's Victory Strengthens Us for Spiritual Warfare. Taking readers to the familiar passage in Ephesians 6 on preparation for the spiritual battle, Duiguid helps readers understand that the armor God gives us is God's own armor and that each piece points to Christ. Duiguid unpacks each piece of God's armor for readers, devoting a chapter to each one. He helps readers to understand exactly what each piece of armor is and how Jesus Himself embodies that piece of armor. Besides that, each chapter ends with some reflection questions to help readers did deeper into God's Word and to apply the truths found there to their daily lives. One of the things I appreciate most about the book is how Duguid helps readers see praying in the Spirit as part of the armor (Eph. 6:18-20). Not only that, but while so many people focus on the armor of God as something believers must "put on" themselves, Duguid helps readers see that the armor is God's, that Jesus has already "worn" it and fulfilled it, so that when we believe, we put on Christ--and we are putting on the armor of God. Standing firm in God's armor is really standing firm in our identity in Christ and what we have been given in Him. I appreciate Duguid's treatment of this topic and also how he helps believers put it into practice in everyday life.
Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
August 30, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed Iain's book. It's clear the Armour of God that Paul outlines in Ephesians 6 has been a favourite topic of Iain's over many years with the acknowledgements at the end mentioning it all began with a sermon series he did way back in 1994.
This is a short book and there is a chapter of 8-10 pages on each piece of armour. I particularly appreciated that Iain included in the last chapter the "praying in the Spirit" which is often left out in discussions about the armour. But as Iain explains, "But it is not enough simply to put on the armour. There will be no powerful reality to your walk with God unless you are in intimate contact with your heavenly Father... The armoury needs to be under the control the pilot; you and I need to be in close contact with God. And the means by which we stay in contact is prayer." This chapter on prayer was probably my favourite. Iain provides such an insightful perspective on the relational aspect of our walk with God.
Some of the books written on the armour reflect on the fact that Paul was sitting in a jail observing what the guards wore but Iain takes us back to Isaiah where each element of the armour is actually mentioned and is being worn by Jesus. Therefore, what's good for Him is good for us.
This is an excellent outline with sufficient detail to make it compelling reading for all believers. I highly recommend it.
I received a PDF copy of the unfinished book from the publisher via Net Galley with no expectation of a positive review.
This is a short book and there is a chapter of 8-10 pages on each piece of armour. I particularly appreciated that Iain included in the last chapter the "praying in the Spirit" which is often left out in discussions about the armour. But as Iain explains, "But it is not enough simply to put on the armour. There will be no powerful reality to your walk with God unless you are in intimate contact with your heavenly Father... The armoury needs to be under the control the pilot; you and I need to be in close contact with God. And the means by which we stay in contact is prayer." This chapter on prayer was probably my favourite. Iain provides such an insightful perspective on the relational aspect of our walk with God.
Some of the books written on the armour reflect on the fact that Paul was sitting in a jail observing what the guards wore but Iain takes us back to Isaiah where each element of the armour is actually mentioned and is being worn by Jesus. Therefore, what's good for Him is good for us.
This is an excellent outline with sufficient detail to make it compelling reading for all believers. I highly recommend it.
I received a PDF copy of the unfinished book from the publisher via Net Galley with no expectation of a positive review.
August 10, 2019
"We are engaged in conflict against an enemy whose strength and skill far outmatch our own." So writes the author as he makes the case for Christians today to recognize and prepare for the spiritual battle that confronts the people of God on a daily basis. "Life as a Christian is not a picnic," he adds, confirming the increasing bias and societal rejection that many Christians experience today. Spiritual warfare is real, and in his book, Duguid gives a clear explanation of what constitutes the Scriptural and spiritual armor of God, and tells the reader how to use it. Each chapter focuses on a different piece of the armor, includes Bible passages that illuminate its function, offers insights into practical spirituality, and concludes with questions for reflection. I appreciated the author's no-nonsense approach to spiritual warfare and would encourage every Christian who is unsure about God's call to battle to read The Whole Armor of God. Duguid offers sound theology and spiritual affirmation, as well as prayerful consideration for today's followers of Christ. Highly recommended!
August 19, 2019
This is a good look at the armor of God. Keller's blurb calls it a "book of expositions," which is pretty accurate. Each chapter was originally an individual sermon, and thus it less a unified argument from start to finish and more a series of gospel- and Christ-centered looks at the various pieces of armor.
Worth the price of admission is the introduction, where Duguid provides the classic Reformed view of sanctification as a "work of God's grace." That is to say, he sanctifies us; we do not sanctify ourselves, despite the need for holiness and a lifetime of obedience. Some may be surprised by the monergistic emphasis of Duguid, but it is thoroughly biblical. Go read the 1 Thessalonians benediction sometime.
The chapters themselves do a great job of rooting the armor in God's OT armor. They also show how Christ himself used each piece of armor, and how we must rest in his work while also fighting ourselves. This is a classic Duguid approach, and it is top-notch.
Worth the price of admission is the introduction, where Duguid provides the classic Reformed view of sanctification as a "work of God's grace." That is to say, he sanctifies us; we do not sanctify ourselves, despite the need for holiness and a lifetime of obedience. Some may be surprised by the monergistic emphasis of Duguid, but it is thoroughly biblical. Go read the 1 Thessalonians benediction sometime.
The chapters themselves do a great job of rooting the armor in God's OT armor. They also show how Christ himself used each piece of armor, and how we must rest in his work while also fighting ourselves. This is a classic Duguid approach, and it is top-notch.
August 22, 2019
"The Whole Armor of God" examines the pieces of spiritual armor found in Ephesians 6. The author was easy to understand even though he dug deep into what the different pieces of armor were and how to use them. He drew in references to this same imagery in the Old and New Testament to help gain insight into the spiritual armor. He also pointed out how Jesus used this same "armor" and how that should encourage us. He ended by also talking about prayer and how prayer pulled all these pieces of spiritual armor together. I gained new insights into Ephesians 6. Overall, I'd highly recommend this interesting, encouraging book.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
November 5, 2023
Duguid covers the spiritual warfare section of Ephesians 6, devoting a chapter to each item in the panoply, along with prayer and why such a panoply is necessary in the first place. Central throughout is a Gospel focus, demonstrating how the success in such warfare owes not to man's exertion but to God's sovereignty. Duguid also profoundly notes that the items in the panoply, like the helmet of salvation or breastplate of righteousness, were not new inventions by Paul but were referred to in the Old Testament, which teaches us that Christ was the one who wore these pieces of armour first. As such, we must follow his example and rest in His work.
Really wonderful; practical theology at its finest.
Really wonderful; practical theology at its finest.
January 14, 2020
In The Whole Armor of God, Iain Duguid strikes a masterful balance of scriptural accuracy and life application. And he does that in an engaging way that is easy to follow, digest and apply to your life right now.
Duguid brings to light much of the frightening parts of the unseen spiritual battles while remaining grounded in Scriptural truth and in the strength of Christ alone through it all.
Spiritual warfare is not an area that you should take too lightly, and an area where you should be careful whose teaching you would learn from on the subject. For this reason, I fully recommend Iain Duguid's book.
Duguid brings to light much of the frightening parts of the unseen spiritual battles while remaining grounded in Scriptural truth and in the strength of Christ alone through it all.
Spiritual warfare is not an area that you should take too lightly, and an area where you should be careful whose teaching you would learn from on the subject. For this reason, I fully recommend Iain Duguid's book.
April 8, 2021
I have read about the armour of God before, even sang songs about it. But I had never truly studied it. This book gave me that opportunity, taking it from the Scriptures in Isaiah right to Jesus Christ and how He has worn this armour. Armour is heavy, no doubt. But knowing that Christ has already won it gives me the strength to do the same. I also understand why I have to wear the full/whole armour.
Did I mention that this was written in such a simple way? It was. Sometimes biblical scholars write like they're writing for fellow scholars, and so lose the rest of us who are students. No chance of that happening here. An enlightening and enjoyable read!
Did I mention that this was written in such a simple way? It was. Sometimes biblical scholars write like they're writing for fellow scholars, and so lose the rest of us who are students. No chance of that happening here. An enlightening and enjoyable read!
September 18, 2025
The Whole Armor of God has completely changed the way that I view—and therefore wear—the armor of God. Duguid is Reformed, which I’m not, so there are some portions I don’t connect with as much. But man. His exposition of the armor of God is so beautiful, so understandable, so comforting. His is not a “rah rah, take up your battle gear!” approach, which I’m sure has its place. But his is, “This is where you are, and this is where Christ has been. Take what is His, and let it be your covering.”
I think every Christian should read this book; I know my faith and dependence on Jesus are better for it.
I think every Christian should read this book; I know my faith and dependence on Jesus are better for it.
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