Wednesday: The Armor of God
The reality of the great controversy, and that we are in a literal battle with a real enemy (Eph. 6:11), is revealed by Paul’s use of war imagery in Ephesians 6:1-24.
Read Ephesians 6:11-17. What do these verses tell us about how real, and personal, the battle is?
Image © Bill Osborne from GoodSalt.com
It is not what the various pieces of armor are all about but rather what they represent that counts. Notice that Paul stresses that we need to take all of the armor, not just selected pieces of it. In so doing we will remain standing (Eph. 6:13), a metaphor used in the Bible to describe innocence in judgment (compare with Ps. 1:5). In other words, we will be victorious.
What holds all the armor in place is the belt, used as a metaphor for the truth (Eph. 6:14). So, the truth is what holds all our spiritual defenses in place. Jesus often talked about truth (John 1:14, John 1:17; John 4:24; John 8:32; John 14:6). The breastplate of righteousness follows (Eph. 6:14); “righteousness” is another key word in Jesus’ discourses (for example, Matt. 5:6, Matt. 5:10; Matt. 6:33). In the Old Testament righteousness was understood as upholding justice and ensuring that everyone had a fair deal.
The military sandals (Eph. 6:15) represent the gospel of peace, an expression borrowed from Isaiah 52:7, that speaks about people walking vast distances to let people in captivity know that Jerusalem has been rebuilt and that God has restored the freedom of His people. It is another way of saying that part of fighting against evil is to let people know that God has won the battle already and that they can now live at peace with themselves, with others, and with God.
The shield of faith (Eph. 6:16) prevents “fire arrows” from hitting their intended target and causing wholesale destruction. The helmet of salvation (Eph. 6:17) parallels the crown Jesus shares with us (Rev. 1:6, Rev. 2:10), and the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) is our only weapon of self-defense, to be used as Jesus did when tempted by the devil (Matt. 4:4, Matt. 4:7, Matt. 4:10).
What does the fullness and completeness of the armor tell us about our total dependence upon God in the great controversy? How can we make sure that we are leaving no part of ourselves unprotected?
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So many comments one might make on today's lesson! The first point the author makes is the importance of the WHOLE armor of God. It is SO important that Paul says it in two different texts in this passage, Eph. 6:11,13. It is interesting to me that the Greek words used to describe what to DO with the "whole armor of God" are different in each text. Both of them suggest an element of passivity. In verse 11, the words "put on" can mean "to actively receive" as if someone is offering it to you and you are receiving it. In verse 13, the words "take unto you" can mean that you are slipping into something, as if someone is holding it for you to put on. In both cases, it makes think that Jesus is my armor bearer! He commands me to take up the armor and then He puts it on me! That thought delights me.
You know, Jeffrey, you made me think a little more about the "armor." In a way the gospel is a seriously offensive weapon against the powers of darkness.
But if we analyze the analogy, the shoes protect the feet that take us into battle. So we're not just supposed to stand there. We are to "Go into all the world" with the Gospel of Peace. The armor protects us while we are on God's mission. And, yes, Jesus supplies the armor as we go where He sends us. 🙂
You had to bring up the shoes and the Gospel of Peace. 🙂 Putting the gospel of peace into martial terms, I think of it as a peace treaty. So the shoes make us ready to let the world know that we are no longer enemies of God and the victory has been won; all we need to do is choose which side we want to ally ourselves with. "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him..." 1 Kings 18:21
You mean shoe = treaty like in the story of Boaz (Ruth 4:8)? (I believe we may be in danger of getting off-topic. 😉 )
I agree that the battle has been won, but we still need to go and let the people know! So I still like the shoes = footgear meant to take us places. (Isa 52:7) While the gospel is one of peace, it storms the gates of hell which will *not* prevail. (Matt 16:18 KJV) The way I see it, gates are stationary. The church of God is on the *move* under the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is interesting how different minds can put things together so differently. There's clearly more than one way to read the passage, and the same Holy Spirit who inspired the passage will interpret it to us individually according to our current need. That's what makes the Bible so *alive*!
I had not thought about the shoes that way until you (unintentionally, it seems) nudged me in that direction. Now I think it's really appropriate. It fits the "battle" imagery. Admittedly the battles of the Lord are fought very differently from the battles in this world -as the armor also indicates. One of my favorite OT stories is the one of of the battle won by a choir, to all appearances. (2 Chronicles 20:20-24) Of course, it wasn't the choir's doing, but setting the choir at the head of the army was an act of faith, and God acted in accordance with that faith. It thrills me every time I think about it.
So this is the picture I see: Jesus says, "Go into all the world to preach the gospel." And He gives us the shoes to take us into all the world and the armor to protect us, and the sword to destroy the "spiritual forces of evil." (Eph 6:12 ESV) Admittedly the text also says to *stand* - in other words, don't retreat when the going gets tough, but stand in the strength of the Spirit protected by the armor of God.
But then Eph 6:12 makes it sound like hand-to-hand combat - very personal! More to contemplate. ...
Thanks. The two last paragraphs really strengthen me. And so the belt holding the armour up is truth shielded by our faith!
Amen! Thank you Jeffrey for those inspiring comments. God Bless!!
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God is good, he really thought of everything to cover us and protect us from the enemy. Because 1Peter 5:8 (NKJV) Says: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. So, the God we serve is our true and loving God who has giving us a "whole armor" is up to us to wear it each day and at every second of the day and night to be on God side, and not on the enemy's.
To make sure we make it to heaven, we need to be protected at all time under the armor of God.
Paul makes it clear that a spiritual battle is going on right around us, and we as believers are clear targets for Satan. However if we are to equip ourselves with the FULL armour of God; that is every item described (rather than choosing parts we think are useful) and choose to stand firm, God will be able to support us further in the way He sees fit. Choosing to stand firm must be a conscious decision as we are standing firm IN God. This way He will help us fight any personal attacks that may come our way, for we cannot use human strength to fight a spiritual battle. It is impossible. The devil is constantly throwing arrows of temptations and hardships at us and this lesson today tells me as long as I am armoured and fully suited, I am protected. I can trust in Him that any attacks can be deflected successfully.
AMEN!
What holds the Armor in place is the Belt which is a metaphor for the Truth. When we compromise our personal integrity by being Untruthful, Satan is given a Foothold to cause confusion and damage in our Lives. A example is in Second Samuel, King David discovered this when he Sinned with Bathsheba. How many of our relational and emotional and even physical problems stem from us not living a Righteous Life? Truthfulness and Righteousness are Gifts- But they must be consciously cultivated and received by us. So we must at all times have the whole Armor of God on to be able to stand up in this World. AMEN!
We hear little today of the Christian life being portrayed as a battle. We hear and sing more about Christianity in a softer, relational terms. Loving Jesus, having a relationship with Jesus--touching Him, feeling Him, knowing Him etc.
Some see this as a "feminization" of the Gospel message and a reason why churches have so few men compared to women.
To be a successful Christian, you had to be a "soldier", "runner", "pilgrim", "disciple" (discipline), "wrestler"--very masculine terms. Today you just have to be a "lover".
So much so that the "softer" side of Jesus is emphasized more than the tougher side. He is no longer a "man's man", but a "woman's man".
We are to examine ourselves daily to see if we are solely depending on Christ as our Lord and savior.
I think this gets the root of answering the author's question(s). When one Puts on armor they're Preparing for war. If we go out, dressed in God; He will direct one for its use. The changes He works in a believer can be the biggest testimony.
EGW expands:
"We should make daily advancement in the work of character-building. When we try to separate from us our sinful habits, it may at times seem that we are tearing ourselves all to pieces; but this is the very work that we must do if we would grow up unto the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus, if we would become fit temples for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is not the will of God that we should remain in feebleness and darkness. He would have us put on the whole armor, and fight valiantly the battle against sin and self. And after we have truly repented of our sins, and done all that we can to overcome them, he would have us manifest a calm, unyielding trust in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour." {Historical Sketches 134.6}
Ray that's a different angle and it's true because we forgot that because we love we do His work John14:15.Faith without works is dead James2:17
The enemy wants us to be passive and not active in spreading the gospel message to the sin sick world
If we don't work for Jesus who will
The battle is raging and He's coming soon
Another thought on the footwear of Ephesians 6.
There is a striking little story in Josephus (the Jewish historian), showing how the Roman soldiers had hob-nails in their sandals. (These appear to have been standard issue. (See Josephus, Wars 6.1.8.)) On steep, difficult ground, these aided the soldier in keeping his footing and stability. The Christian's feet are to be "shod" so that they might become like "hinds feet" -- so that we might advance safely on what would otherwise be impossibly difficult ground.
It is by applying the "gospel of peace" that we keep our footing. But if we lose our PEACE, then we will inevitably lose our footing. Our stability is lost. We are likely to stumble and fall.
A popular term in the churches today is "passion", but "passion" is never a good or a safe thing, I believe. Zeal is certainly necessary, but of Jesus it is written that "His zeal NEVER led Him to become passionate" (Evangelism p.636), and so it should be with us. Emotion should not be allowed to lead -- because when emotion is allowed to lead we tend to take up "carnal", worldly, weapons like spite and contempt. But for the Christian this should not be.
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If your country were engaged in a war and you, as Commander and chief knew with certainty that your defense system was far superior to that of the enemy's, what would that do to your confidence level when addressing your people about the war? You would assure them there was nothing to worry about, right? If they trusted you they would continue life as usual, not worried about their personal safety or that their country would be invaded and taken over by outside forces, believing that you had their back, right? If we can have that kind of trust in mere mortal men why don't we trust the all-knowing all powerful God more?
The truth, our defense rests completely, unequivocally in the righteousness of Christ, which covers us, once we enter into a covenant with Him and come under His banner, the banner of Prince Immanuel who has never lost a battle. The battle is real and it's a spiritual warfare against the highest levels of evil, but we don't have to fight the foe ourselves (WE CANNOT) for we are NO MATCH for the devil. Our security and safety and ultimate victory are already guaranteed through Christ's triumph over sin and death and the grave. All we need to do is "put on the whole armor of God" (Eph.6:13) leaving nothing to chance.
There will be times of fear and anxiety but we can depend on God totally for our protection as David reminds us in (Ps.56:3). We have seen God demonstrate over and over throughout the history of His church that "All His biddings are enablings." COL, p.333. We must take courage even in the darkest of times for serve a God who can be trusted. "We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history." E.G. White: Life sketches, p.196.
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper he amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side,
The man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that my be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
I was created a woman;thus, my thoughts, admittedly. ?
To me, God desires us to be ready for 'battle'...against what? Against human soldiers of war? What is it that Satan wants to win? Not our physical strength, that's puny. What the devil desires is our hearts, minds and souls. He wants our spiritual allegiance. He may not want us to 'love' him (I doubt he has any love or wants any), he simply knows that he might be successful in turning others away from the love of God's Son - to reject that gift of redeeming love.
While Father, Son and Spirit are only and altogether Almighty, and our fortress and refuge,the motivation is love. Love rules heaven.
Lucifer's sin was self love, not that he was anywhere close to the might of his Creator.
Samson was favored with God-given might, yet it was in his heart/mind that he sinned in disobedience, and it (it being the might of the Spirit of God that moved through Samson) was removed from him, until he was humbled.
The battle and armor Paul describes is purely spiritual. Indeed, it took mighty strength for Jesus to endure a childhood of ridicule for being different, an adulthood of mockery for not being the mighty physical warrior to defeat Rome, and to endure the crushing weight of the sin of all humanity, not to mention carrying a physically ponderous cross after an intensely severe beating. Yet, the thing that motivated Christ was not the desire for glory or bragging rights. It was His mighty, powerful, all-consuming love. That is His power - why He created, why He defeated the enemies of His believers, and why He redeemed. And all will continue until the end of this world.
Jehovah is mighty because of love, not loving because of might.
The way I see it, the world isn't deficient in the powers of human strength or war. What the world truly needs is the power of God's love.
Well said, my friend. Amen
At the very end as Jesus descends to the earth in glory, the wicked are seized with terror and flee from His brightness crying out; “Who is able to stand?!!” In the verses above Paul exhorts all who believe to “put on the whole armor of God” in order to stand. The only one protected by armor is the one wearing it. Only those who possess a sword can use it to “fight the good fight” as Jesus gave example of with “it is written”. Nothing is more vital than being personally equipped for this great controversy in which there is no neutral position.
One missing piece of this armor would be fatal. Zephaniah tells us “seek righteousness, seek meekness...” to be safely hidden in the day of the Lord's anger against His enemies.
Just curious, where is the shield in the illustration above? Doesn't Paul tell us "above all, taking the shield of faith"?!!
Putting on the whole armor of God.
It is very interesting to note that:
1. the armor is meant to cover the whole body except for your back
2. there is no protection for your back - that means if we turn back we are doomed; we should forge ahead always; may God help us to keep moving forward in faith as we journey home
3. the armor is meant to be taken as a whole and not in bits and pieces
See: Ephesians 6:10-17.
We are in a great controversy, may the Lord help us to abide in Him, vested with the whole armor of God only then will we be able to stand in the judgment without fear for God will only honour those who honour Him (1 Sam 2:30).
Chris, this reminds me of a thought describing the "fast" in Isaiah 58.
"...Then shall your light break forth as the morning… and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your REAR-GUARD.” (Isaiah 58:6-8)
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The "fast" that God has chosen, not only for His people, but for Himself too, is abstinence from selfishness. (He leads by example in this -- we can be sure of it!)
An assurance given to anyone that joins Him in this fast, is that He will be their REAR-GUARD. What does this mean?
It means [at least in part, I suggest,] that when we have spoken or acted well, and come to the point of looking back, it will be God’s work, and God’s glory, that we see back there. He will be there guarding our backs – engaging the enemy lest some temptation rise up that we should begin to boast.
Alternately, He may be guarding our backs, lest we begin to look back and lament, “I am not appreciated as I ought to be”.
Will we look back and entertain thoughts like these? This would only serve to invite disaster. Let's leave it with Him. He will fight those rear-guard actions, defending us from pride and despair, if we will only leave it with Him.
Sidebar: I've heard the comment re: back before. If its true, how does the breastplate stay on? In many of the illustrations I've seen the plate of leather or metal extends to the back.
Interesting question. So I checked the Wikipedia, and it seems likely that the "breastplate" referred to the upper body armor that covered both front and back. Yet it may be that in some situations, it referred only to a front piece which would be held in place by ties to the back.
The modern equivalent would be a bullet-proof vest.
Whatever the physical construction of the breastplate may be, I think there is merit to Chris's observation that it is dangerous to go back. Most of us can testify to that from personal experience.
I believe that God intends us to grow in grace each day and thus keep pressing forward.
Eversince human beings fell into sin our life has consisted of fighting a fearsome battle with the devil. The primary focus of the Bible has become the ongoing vicious and deadly warfare between Christ and satan - between good and evil. We are drawn into this battle (2 Timothy 2: 3, 4). When Christ came to this world He had to endure an intense period of conflict with the devil. His ministry began with a 40 day fight with satan. This battle continued and intensified until Christ won at Calvary.
We are reminded that this is a spiritual conflict with the devil that requires spiritual weapons with which to fight. For us to fight this battle successfully, Paul suggests that we should put on 6 pieces of the armour of God.(Ephesians 6:14-17). This protective gear will ensure success and this complete armour is to be worn at all times. If we lack to put on one piece, defeat will surely come. Just as God requires of us to keep the Ten Commandments and that if we should fail in one we would be guilty of all Ten, He expects us to put on the whole armour.
I find it significant that the first piece of armoury a Christian must wear is truth. God is truth and satan is described as the "father of lies" (John 8:44). Satan uses deception and the strongest weapon against lies is truth. Some people win little skirmishes using lies but these lasts only for a very short period of time. In fact, the Bible makes it abundantly clear that God hates all lying as we read in Proverbs 6:16, 17 a " There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue,hands that shed innocent blood...."
God calls us to resist the devil (James 4:7) and wear the full armour of God. Our ability to resist and stand firm can ONLY happen through the surpassing greatness of God's power.
Putting on the whole armour of God in my perspective,it's like wearing what we term within the occupational and health sector PPE(personal protective equipment/s),and wearing of these protective clothes or equipments doesn't guarantee any protection if are used and worn or clothed incorrectly.Thus,like-wise in our spiritual warfare, we need to wear and use these protective garments or equipments cited by Paul in ephesian 6:14-18 and provided to us by our God correctly and shun from using them for our own benefits as others do and avoid to be altruistic.
These people use the truth of the bible and faith to attain their own financial gain,fame and respect,using the name of our God invain.I am afraid to say,these individuals shall/will not enjoy full protection of their soul from God in this world and the world to come.
it is them who will cry and say when jesus come " lord didn't we in your name cast away demons,heal the sick,feed those hungry,visited the prisoners, and the lord will reply and say depart from me ye evil doers ,I never knew thee,what ever you did,you've done it not in accordance to my law and principles ".
Thus,brother & sisters let us indeed putt on the whole armour of God ,but also and guard ourselves in terms of how we wear and use them ,that is of vital importance for a guaranteed protection in this life and life to come.
What does it really mean to worship God in Spirit and truth? I really need to understand. Your responses brothers and sisters will be appreciated. Thank you
Orpah, the short answer as I understand it is found in Ps 29:2, "O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness".
God has said to His people: "be holy, because I am holy". This means to be like Him. We know that "God is love", so we must love as He loves.
Peter shows how to achieve this love in 2 Peter 1:4-10.
Paul defines what love is and is not in 1 Corinthians 13.
Jesus defines the path of faith in Matthew 5:3-11.
These all help us to understand the meaning of Jesus when telling the Samaritan woman that we should worship God "in spirit and in truth".
I really enjoyed studying the lesson. The feet part really stuck out. My whole life I have been walking in light, sharing the good news. The year 1978 God called me out of darkness into his life. I can appreciate the feet as apart of god's Weapon of warfare.
Jesus is the Way the truth and the Light, the "belt" that holds it all together. It is Jesus who is Righteous and covers my heart/chest. Jesus is my Salvation and covers my thoughts/head. Jesus is the gospel of salvation, and makes my path straight for my feet to travel. Jesus is the word of God, my sword of offense. In my weakness I can do nothing, but in my weakness His strength is made perfect and I can do all things thru Christ - my Armor. Just keeping it simple for my simple mind.
How did I not mention the shield of faith, it is Jesus gift of Faith that keeps every part of me safe deflecting those lethal barbs from the devil. I think to me it is all about Jesus. He wants to make sure I make it into His arms in one piece when He comes back!
Nothing should be left out,we need to put on the FULL ARMOUR of God.Great lesson indeed.