Yes—the armor of God is designed for moving forward, not retreating.
Les Feldick explains that the Roman soldier's armor was meant for a frontal attack, with no provision for retreat. Ephesians 6 calls believers to wrestle against spiritual powers in high places, not flesh and blood. Therefore, believers are to stand firm and withstand evil, not draw back.
Ephesians 6:12 — This verse identifies the real battle—not against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers in high places—so the armor is for advancing against that enemy.
Ephesians 6:13 — This verse commands believers to take the whole armor so they can withstand in the evil day, implying a forward stance.
Ephesians 6:10–18 describes the believer's spiritual armor: the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Verse 12 says, 'For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.' Verse 13 says, 'Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.' The imagery of a Roman soldier's equipment—especially the shield and sword—is inherently offensive, for advancing against an enemy, not for retreating.
Les Feldick explains that the Roman soldier's armor was designed for moving forward, not backward. He says there was no provision for a rearguard action, so the Christian's spiritual armor is likewise for a frontal attack against the real enemy—satanic powers in high places. Les stresses that 'high places' are not political rulers like Congress or the White House, but the spiritual high places: the leaders of Christendom and great denominational leaders. He points out that believers wrestle against principalities and powers, which are positioned and loaded with energy that never runs out. Therefore, the believer's call is to stand firm, take the whole armor, and withstand in the evil day.
Les Feldick clarifies that 'high places' does not refer to Congress, the White House, or Buckingham Palace. Instead, it refers to spiritual high places—the leaders of Christendom and great denominational leaders. He emphasizes that the battle is against spiritual powers, not flesh and blood.
Because the armor is designed for a frontal attack, believers are not to retreat or draw back. Instead, they are equipped to stand against the wiles of the devil. This involves being confrontational to the proper extent—not being obnoxious, but standing firm against spiritual powers. The forward-looking nature of the armor means believers are to advance against the enemy, not retreat.
Les Feldick says faith must come first, and believers must be doctrinally grounded. He speaks against a Christianity that emphasizes experience over faith, because experience does not exercise faith. Believers should become doctrinally grounded and then work toward experience, not the other way around. This is essential for standing against spiritual powers.
No. Les explains that the forward-looking armor does not mean being obnoxious or unnecessarily hostile. It does mean being confrontational to the proper extent—able to stand against spiritual powers in high places. The believer's battle is not physical but spiritual, so the armor is for spiritual warfare.
The Real Battle in High Places
Les teaches that Ephesians 6:12 is not about political leaders but about spiritual powers in high places—leaders of Christendom—so the armor is for a frontal attack against these spiritual enemies.
What Does "If God Be for Us" Really Mean? Romans 8:31
If God for us, who against us? Now the first thing we think of in a verse like that is that God is promising that nothing can happen to us if we're a believer. No, no, that's not what it means. Because let's just look at the Scriptures. Turn with me honey to 2 Corinthians, I think it's chapter 11.
Why Paul Said "I Die Daily" — 1 Corinthians 15:31 Explained
And you know who the beasts were? The ten Roman soldiers who were guarding him. And I think it's the same kind of beasts that Paul is referring to. It was this constant opposition from his fellow men, ungodly men. And so he said, "...if, after the manner of men, or so to speak, I have fought with the beasts at Ephesus, these men who were constantly opposing him, what does it advantage me, why shou…
What Really Happens at Armageddon — Revelation 16 & 19
"...and the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean." And we made reference to that a few weeks ago. You also find that back in chapter, well it's the same chapter, 19 verse 8, where the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. Now then verse 15, "...and out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword.
What Most Christians Miss About Grace — 1 Corinthians Explained
That here the apostle by inspiration is telling these carnal, Corinthian believers that if the Lord should suddenly come so far as God was concerned, they would be blameless. Well, on what basis could God do that? The work of the cross. The shed blood of Christ. And you see, I always have to think of, oh, let's go back. All the way back.
What Does It Mean to Present Your Body as a Living Sacrifice?
As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long, we�re accounted as sheep for the slaughter. That�s the world�s attitude toward the believer, and has been ever since the beginning of time, even back in the Old Testament economy. Why did the pagan people around Israel so hate the Jew? Because of their relationship with their Creator God, and it hasn�t changed. It�s still the same way.
Principalities and Powers Positioned Against Us
Les explains that principalities and powers in the satanic realm are positioned with relentless energy to separate us from Christ's love, underscoring why believers need the whole armor to stand and advance.
What Does the Bible Really Say About Obeying Government?
Verse 19. God says, I will repay, and I'll tell you what, I'd rather have God do it than me, because He's going to be a lot tougher to deal with than I could ever hope to be. Then of course the admonition, verse 20-21. Paul says, "...If thy enemy hunger feed him, if he thirst give him drink, for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
This identifies the true enemy as spiritual powers in high places, not human rulers, making the armor necessary for a frontal spiritual attack.
Ephesians 6:13: Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
This commands believers to take the whole armor so they can stand firm in the evil day, indicating a forward, unyielding posture.
Ephesians 6:17: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The sword of the Spirit is an offensive weapon, showing the armor is for attacking the enemy, not just defending.
Romans 8:37: Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Paul speaks of being more than conquerors, which aligns with the believer's forward-moving victory in spiritual warfare.
2 Corinthians 11:23-27: Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
Paul's own hardships show that God's protection doesn't mean an easy life; believers face opposition yet must stand and advance.
Les Feldick teaches that the Roman soldier's armor was designed for moving forward, not retreating, and there was no provision for a rearguard action. Ephesians 6 calls believers to wrestle against spiritual powers in high places, not flesh and blood, so the armor equips believers to stand and advance against spiritual enemies.
Les clarifies that 'high places' are not political seats like Congress or the White House. They are spiritual high places: the leaders of Christendom and great denominational leaders, who have come under satanic influence.
No. The forward-looking armor does not mean being obnoxious or unnecessarily hostile. It means being confrontational to the proper extent—standing against spiritual powers in high places—which requires faith and doctrinal grounding.
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