No Armor in the Back

Facing one's battles in faith with no fear.

‘Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the enemy…’ - Ephesians 6:11

The armor of God listed in Ephesians 6 describes only armor in front.

Life is a battlefield.

Not of flesh and blood, but of spirit and truth, fear and faith. The Apostle Paul, writing from a Roman prison, gave believers a timeless image of preparation:

‘Put on the full armor of God.’ - Ephesians 6:10–18.

This armor is not forged of iron or steel, but of righteousness, truth, and the power of God's Spirit.

Here’s the armor Paul describes:

• The Belt of Truth – holding everything together

• The Breastplate of Righteousness – guarding the heart

• Shoes of the Gospel of Peace – grounding every step

• The Shield of Faith – extinguishing every fiery dart

• The Helmet of Salvation – protecting the mind

• The Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God, our weapon

Something curious stands out in this list of armor.

There is no armor for the back.

Why?

The follower of Jesus never turns and runs from battles.

We are not called to retreat. The victory of Christ at the cross has already determined the outcome of our war ‘against principalities and powers.’

Every trial, every sorrow, every fear we face is met with the knowledge that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

• We face our fear, not with bravado, but with boldness.

• We move toward the enemy, not with rage, but with resolve.

• We look to Jesus, not as a distant Commander, but as the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), who stands with us in the fire, just as He stood with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

When we are tempted to run from our problems, we remember:

The enemy can only strike our unprotected back when we turn from the fight.

So to every weary soul in battle, take courage.

• Move forward in faith.

• Keep your eyes on Jesus.

• The war is already won.

As to this battle that you're facing? It only conquers you if you turn away.

Don’t turn away.

Clothed in the armor of God, your Commander will lead you from the front, and every principality of evil seeking to destroy you will be slain.