The “armor of God” passage in Ephesians 6:10–20 is widely regarded as the preeminent biblical teaching on spiritual warfare. In the passage, Paul shares two key commands: first, to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (verse 10), and second, to “put on the full armor of God” (verses 11 and 13).
Understanding this passage is essential if we are to stand firm in Christ’s victory amidst the spiritual opposition of our evil day.
Unfortunately, the conversation about spiritual warfare can be confusing. Some promote sensational ideas that go beyond Scripture, while many believers live in defeat simply because they don’t know how to put on the armor God has provided.
To help the everyday Christian learn how to put on the full armor of God, here are five recommended books on spiritual warfare and the armor of God that clarify and apply Ephesians 6:10–20. (The list is arranged from the most accessible to the most demanding.)
Easiest read
Prolific author Dr. Warren Wiersbe, formerly of Moody Church in Chicago, has the most accessible read on the armor of God in this list. Wiersbe focuses on standing firm in Christ’s finished work rather than on dramatic or speculative views of spiritual warfare. Each piece of the armor is explained with practical insight, showing how God’s truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the Word, and prayer shape faithful Christian living. Wiersbe’s writing is warm, rooted in Scripture, and encouraging.
Best option for small groups
Brian Borgman may be the best preacher you’ve never heard of. (This book is based on sermons Borgman preached at Grace Community Church in Minden, Nevada.) In this book, Brian Borgman and Rob Ventura (not this Rob Ventura) provide a theologically careful and Scripture-saturated treatment of spiritual warfare rooted in Reformed theology. Rather than promoting fear or speculation, the authors emphasize Christ’s decisive victory and the believer’s call to live faithfully through ordinary means of grace. I recommend it for its doctrinal clarity and pastoral wisdom. It’s a great resource for Christians seeking a Christ-centered understanding of spiritual warfare grounded in the authority of God’s Word.
Solid encouragement in under 200 pages
“Be more prayerful every time [the devil] is more active. He will soon give it up, if he finds that his attacks drive you to Christ.” — Charles Haddon Spurgeon
I put this volume together because of my deep love for both Spurgeon and the topic of spiritual warfare. In it, Spurgeon offers a rich, devotional approach through a collection of classic sermons centered on Ephesians 6:10–20. With clarity and Christ-centered warmth, he calls believers to be strong in the Lord, confident in Christ’s victory, and dependent on God in prayer. While Spurgeon does not address each piece of the armor individually, the book covers the major themes of spiritual warfare found in Ephesians 6. Practical biblical insights, discussion questions, and prayer prompts make this volume well suited for both personal devotion and small-group study.
A Robustly Biblical and Practical Look at Ephesians 6
Lloyd-Jones’s magnificent sermons on Ephesians 6 showcase his unparalleled depth, biblical clarity, and practical insight. This volume covers Ephesians 6:10–20. While many sermons on the armor of God quickly mention the need to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Ephesians 6:10) before moving on, Lloyd-Jones devotes ten (!) full sermons to that single verse. He unpacks what it truly means to live in the Lord’s strength—and what pitfalls to avoid.
Two sermons I found especially meaningful were “Food and Drink” and “Exercise,” which remind us that if we hope to be strong warriors in the Lord, we must care for our spiritual bodies: feeding them with what nourishes and exercising them in the right ways. Each sermon highlights spiritual disciplines and means of grace that strengthen us for the battle.
You can listen to the sermons for free on MLJTrust.org (start with “The Call to Battle”).
This book gets my highest praise and is about a third of the length of the next book on this list.
The Classic and Definitive Puritan Work
Written in the 17th century, Gurnall’s classic work has had massive influence since its publication.
Consider these two endorsements:
“If I might read only one book beside the Bible, I would choose The Christian in Complete Armour.” —John Newton
‘Gurnall’s work is peerless and priceless; every line is full of wisdom; every sentence is suggestive. I have often resorted to it when my own fire has been burning low, and I have seldom failed to find a glowing coal upon Gurnall’s hearth.’ — Charles Spurgeon
The main downside of this book is its length—the full unabridged volume is 1312 pages, more than every other book on this list combined!
Let me recommend a few ways to read this book:
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