Protection That Fits
Protection.
It’s what we want—for our families, for ourselves, and for our lives.
In ancient times, armor was the go-to defense. And in Ephesians, Paul urges us to “put on the full armor of God.”
It’s interesting, though—David, on his way to face the biggest battle of his life, was offered armor too. Not just any armor, but King Saul’s own. The twist? David was no stranger to it. One of his earliest roles in the king’s court was as Saul’s armor-bearer.
“Then David came to Saul and attended him. Saul loved him greatly, and David became his armor bearer.”
—1 Samuel 16:21
He knew that armor. He had carried it.
He’d seen how it was worn, used, trusted.
And yet—when it came time to face Goliath, David had the discernment to leave it behind.
Why? Because it didn’t fit.
It was cumbersome. And though he was familiar with it, he hadn’t proven it trustworthy in battle.
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Here’s the question for us:
Are we trusting in armor that doesn’t fit?
Armor that looks good, feels familiar, but ultimately isn’t ours to wear?
Sometimes we wear what someone else trusts in.
We look around—at leaders, friends, influencers—and see them brandishing their gear in business, ministry, parenting, or public life.
We even carry each other’s armor for a while. But when it’s time to step into the fight, we need to know—does it fit me? Has it been tested in my hands?
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Jesus gives us this wisdom:
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.”
—Luke 11:21–22
Read that again—“the armor in which the man trusted.”
There’s the danger.
Ephesians tells us to put on the armor of God. It never says to trust in the armor.
If our faith is in the gear, instead of the Giver, we’ve already lost ground.
“Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”
—Proverbs 28:26
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
—Proverbs 3:5
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
—Psalm 20:7
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I’m not saying don’t wear armor.
In any industry, personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential—but it’s always considered the last line of defense.
There are other, more effective ways to guard against danger—like awareness, training, strategy, and wisdom.
David models this beautifully.
He walks toward his giant—not with the armor of Saul—but with trust in the Lord, a few stones, and a deep well of experience in God’s faithfulness.
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So let me ask:
What armor are you wearing today that doesn’t fit?
What have you chosen for protection that gives you a false sense of security?
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it.
Then take it off.
Walk forward—not in borrowed defenses—but in God’s presence and power.
We must:
• Know our enemy
• Know our battlefield
• Know our armor
• And above all, trust in the Lord our God.
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Written by: Gabe Voorhees