Many Christians have heard of the full armor of God. They know they have to rely upon God to stand firm in the spiritual war each of us as Christians face. Paul was speaking to the Ephesians using very culturally relevant terms. Rome was in its glory days, the empire stretched around most of the known world. So, when Paul spoke of the full armor of God, it was not only easy for the people to visualize it, but it was equally easy to grasp its form and function. Paul wanted the people to consider how to be strong when support for the faith was so weak. He wanted them to consider their functions as The Lord’s warriors. He wanted them to remember it was not the Romans they were fighting, but Satan and his force of demons. So Paul said, mount up, dress up and let’s go to war.
1st Belt of truth–the utility belt that holds everything together and carries the weapons. Truth does that! you can attack supposition and speculation, but, truth stands on its own and can hold everything else in place!
2nd Breast Plate of righteousness–It is hard to come at someone head-on with accusation and grumbling if they remain above reproach. Take your best shots and righteousness wins out.
3rd Feet fitted with the readiness of the Gospel–In a word, you are given the message of Salvation and nothing will keep you from stepping out, no finer shoe, no more impervious sole than the true message of salvation.
4th Shield of faith–Sometimes you have to move forward without being able to see what is ahead. Faith is that shield that blocks the enemy’s deadly shots and allows forward motion in extreme situations!!!
5th Helmet of Salvation–Our salvation protects the very most important part of us–our Minds (Hearts in Jewish culture). It is the helmet to protect against fear, hate, lies, and evil. We can never forget it is a gift, not an earned commodity. it is the critical piece of armor!
6th Sword of the Spirit–God’s word. It was the weapon Satan twisted to strike God’s people down from the famous line in the Garden, “Did God really say you would die?” God’s word is more powerful than a two-edged sword. It truly cuts to the heart of things. Jesus wielded it masterfully as the enemy tempted him in the desert. He was an artist as he fenced with the religious leaders. He changed the world from a sermon on the mount and set into play the restoration of mankind with the great commission. It is a masterful love letter that has drawn men back from a hopeless end and into a journey of peace and purpose. We must learn to wield it with the confidence and artfulness that our Lord intended. We study and rest in its truth. Then we can truly battle the forces that would destroy us.
The Full Armor of God is all we need to stand firm in this life and battle our way along until He calls us home or returns for us! Thanks, Lord for your protection, provision, and preparation of us, your children, to face the battles you have set before us!
God Bless You
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
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