Over the last few
weeks we have looked at the fact that we are in a very real spiritual war, and
that our faith gives us victory in that war. Now we will look at our armor, our
battle gear, for this war.
Our soldiers today wear fatigues, but in these days, the soldier’s uniform required strong armor to cover him from head to toe. These soldiers were involved in hand to hand combat, and their armor was very important. This armor listed in Ephesians 6:13-17.
Let’s look at this armor piece by piece:
1. The belt of truth. The soldier’s belt was used to hold up the armor for the lower half of the body. Today Satan uses false teachers or pastors, or he speaks lies through friends and family. If we do not know the truth of who God is we are left exposed to Satan’s attack.
2. The Breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate covered and protected the soldier’s upper body, and his vital organs. We need righteousness. We need to be in right standing with God through a holy life, or else we are open to Satan’s attack.
3. The Shoes of the gospel. Obviously a soldier needed protection for his feet as he walked. We need to be prepared to present the gospel at all times, wherever we go. As Romans 10:14 reminds us, how beautiful are the feet of those that preach the gospel of peace!
4. The Shield of faith. The shield was used to block the sword or arrows of the enemy. We use our faith like a shield to block the lies our enemy throws at us. When he tells us God doesn’t love us, our faith in God’s promises will block that arrow.
5. The Helmet of salvation. A soldier must always protect his head. The helmet represents salvation because it all starts in the mind. You must realize that you need Christ, then make the decision to give Him your life.
6. The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. The first 5 listed were all for our defense, but this final piece is for offense. There are times when we must go on the offensive, using the Holy Spirit and the Word of God like a weapon to carefully extract sin from someone’s life. A soldier cannot stand back and mind his own business, but he must be aggressive and take the fight to the enemy.
Are you ready for battle, or are you walking around without your armor or weapon?
Our soldiers today wear fatigues, but in these days, the soldier’s uniform required strong armor to cover him from head to toe. These soldiers were involved in hand to hand combat, and their armor was very important. This armor listed in Ephesians 6:13-17.
Let’s look at this armor piece by piece:
1. The belt of truth. The soldier’s belt was used to hold up the armor for the lower half of the body. Today Satan uses false teachers or pastors, or he speaks lies through friends and family. If we do not know the truth of who God is we are left exposed to Satan’s attack.
2. The Breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate covered and protected the soldier’s upper body, and his vital organs. We need righteousness. We need to be in right standing with God through a holy life, or else we are open to Satan’s attack.
3. The Shoes of the gospel. Obviously a soldier needed protection for his feet as he walked. We need to be prepared to present the gospel at all times, wherever we go. As Romans 10:14 reminds us, how beautiful are the feet of those that preach the gospel of peace!
4. The Shield of faith. The shield was used to block the sword or arrows of the enemy. We use our faith like a shield to block the lies our enemy throws at us. When he tells us God doesn’t love us, our faith in God’s promises will block that arrow.
5. The Helmet of salvation. A soldier must always protect his head. The helmet represents salvation because it all starts in the mind. You must realize that you need Christ, then make the decision to give Him your life.
6. The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. The first 5 listed were all for our defense, but this final piece is for offense. There are times when we must go on the offensive, using the Holy Spirit and the Word of God like a weapon to carefully extract sin from someone’s life. A soldier cannot stand back and mind his own business, but he must be aggressive and take the fight to the enemy.
Are you ready for battle, or are you walking around without your armor or weapon?
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