“Therefore
take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in
the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand, therefore,
having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the
breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put
on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances
take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the
flaming darts of the evil one, and take the helmet of salvation, and
the sword of the Sprit, which is the Word of God, praying at all
times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end
keep alert will all perseverance, making supplication for all the
saints.” -Ephesians 6:13-18 (ESV) [Read Ephesians 6:10-18].
If
you follow my devotionals posted daily on my facebook (Ethelene
Jones) and/or if you receive them by e-mail, you will know that this
is the seventh day we have considered the armor of the Christian.
The first day was a general introduction to the necessity of being
well-armed in the spiritual battle we wage in this life. Then we
have considered each piece, important in the protection as defensive
spiritual weapons. They are necessary to advancing offensively in
the world to bear the message of the Lord Jesus Christ as one
selected and appointed by Him as an ambassador for Truth.
Let
us review the six pieces of armor as we consider arming ourselves for
Christian warfare, well-dressed and ready: (1) The belt (girdle) of
truth, the first piece to put on, being clad, first of all in Truth;
(2) the breastplate of righteousness with the desire for right living
in the heart; (3) feet shod with shoes of the gospel of peace, so
that wherever we go we will want to walk in God’s peace and spread
it; (4) the shield of faith which provides a formidable defense
against any “fiery darts of the evil one”; (5) the helmet of
salvation, to guard the mind against departure from the faith; (6)
the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
The
sixth piece, the sword which we take up daily, is the Word of God.
The sword of the Roman solider was kept in readiness at all times.
For the soldier the sword was the only piece of his armor used for
offensive warfare; all remaining parts of his coat of mail were
defensive pieces to protect him from the enemy. In Hebrews 4:12 we
read a description of the Word of God as a sword: “For the Word of
God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing
to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and
discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The soldier’s
sword pierces the body of the one it attacks; but the Sword of the
Spirit, the Word of God, pierces the mind and heart. The Spirit
guided in the writing of the Word; He also guides as the word is
wielded—when we study it and when we share it with others. It is
so important that we “rightly divide the word of truth,” and hold
it steadfastly so that it is a defensive weapon in our Christian
warfare. We use it to lead others to the Lord Jesus Christ; we use
it to keep ourselves on track and brave against the enemy.
Thus
armed with the six pieces of distinctive armor, the Christian then
permeates all of his defensive and offensive spiritual warfare with
prayer. The battle in prayer prepares the Christian for the battle
in the world. Without prayer, even if armed with the other important
pieces of armor, you go into the battle unprepared. Be vigilant, be
ready, consider the armor of the Christian, and even more “as you
see the day approaching.” Be ready! -Ethelene Dyer Jones
07.05.2015
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