The Whole Armor of God: How Christ’s Victory Strengthens Us for Spiritual Warfare by Iain M. Duguid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
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.
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