Wednesday: Shield, Helmet and Sword
When and how should believers as combatants in the great controversy use the shield, the helmet, and the sword? Ephesians 6:16-17.
Paul’s shield is the large, rectangular shield of a Roman legionnaire. Made with wood and covered with leather, its edges curved inward to guard against attacks from the side.
Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com
When soaked in water, shields were “able to quench … fiery darts” (NKJV), extinguishing arrows dipped in pitch and set on fire. Paul’s description of the “shield of faith” reflects the Old Testament use of the shield as a symbol of God, who protects His people (Genesis 15:1, Psalm 3:3). To take up “the shield of faith” (Ephesians 6:16) is to enter the cosmic battle with confidence in God, who fights on behalf of believers (Ephesians 6:10), supplies the finest weaponry (Ephesians 6:11, Ephesians 6:13), and who ensures victory.
At the same time, the Roman battle helmet was made of iron or bronze. To the bowl that protected the head were added a plate at the back to guard the neck, ear guards, a brow ridge, and hinged plates to protect the cheeks. Given the essential protection the helmet provided, “the helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17) symbolizes the present salvation believers experience in solidarity with the resurrected, ascended, and exalted Christ (Ephesians 2:6-10). To put on “the helmet of salvation” means to reject the fear of spiritual powers so common in the time and, instead, to trust in the supreme power of Christ (compare Ephesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 2:1-10).
The final item of armor is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17), referring to the Roman legionnaire’s short, two-edged sword. The usual battle tactic was to throw two javelins (not mentioned by Paul) and then draw the sword and charge, employing the short sword in a thrusting motion. The believers’ sword is “the sword of the Spirit” in that it is supplied by the Spirit, a weapon identified as “the word of God.” Paul steps forward as general and issues a call to arms, speaking promises of hope and victory from the divine Commander in Chief. It is these promises, issued in Ephesians 6:10-20, that constitute “the word of God” as the lead weapon in the battle against evil. The “word of God,” then, refers to the broad promises of the gospel that we find in the Bible.
| Even if much we might not like so many military images, what should this imagery teach us about just how literal the great controversy really is and how seriously we should take it? |
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I had a friend who had a girlfriend whose surname was Pye (I hope they don't read this) My friend was a mathematician and thought it was cute to memorise the value of Pi (pronounced the same as Pye) to an enormous number of decimal places. (3.1415926535 8979323846 2643383279 5028841971 6939937510 for those that are curious) It was a great feat of memory and we all used to joke about it, but it did nothing for the relationship and it did not last for more than a few weeks.
Now I am a mathematician and I know that Pi is 3-something or other" but I know that it is essential for any calculations to do with circles, lots of trigonometry, simple harmonic motion, and alternating current electricity, just to name a few applications that I am familiar with. It is not the digits that are important, its what you can do with the value.
Don't get me wrong. I am not denigrating memorising the Word of God. There are many times when I feel blessed because I learned my memory verses and doctrinal texts. And that certainly helps when I am doing a search for a particular verse in the Bible. But the real value of the Word of God is that we know how to use it and apply it.
The Gospel of John starts off with:
and he continues:
The Word of God is a continuing living experience found in Jesus and extended to us. When Paul refers to "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: he is not talking about just memorising a few verses. He is talking about a living experience in Jesus. That is added value - application.
Part of the Roman soldier's equipment included the scabbard, the piece that is buckled onto the belt where they put the sword when they were carrying it. There is no mention of the scabbard in Paul's description. The sword, the Word of God, is in use, and ready for application. The fight is on!
I would venture to say that the Apostle Paul could take from the symbolism of a soldiers' battling gear because he himself had been a soldier for the Nation of Israel even to where he was a waring Commander against Jesus' own followers for a long time until Jesus Himself had to "Knock him blind off of his waring horse," against God's new followers. But the Apostle John never used these warring soldier symbols at all and neither did the Apostle Peter. They both just used Jesus' own parabolic symbos and then Jesus gave John His last 22 chapters of symbolic prophetic symbolic language in the book of Revelation for these last days just before Jeus shows up in the "Clouds of glory."
With this in mind, now I know why Paul, though he knew there were many other weapons of war, chose to use sword depicting faith. The sword is never thrown at the enemy nor left behind even when on other errands.
Unseen forces are not in a break! There is a cosmic battle around us, an unprecedented conflict, a fierce fight of such anguish because its end is known and is right ahead.
But the most crucial action is not it. The most critical battle is inside myself! As Paul's army defenses are presented to soldiers prepared for external combat, the same protection can serve for the inner conflict. I must decide who will be the Lord of my heart (emotions) so I can be effectively pumped with motivation.
By letting Jesus become the Lord of my heart, I allow the assurance of victory to take over. By the power of the True Spirit, equipped and prepared, I advance towards the ultimate goal, the prize of being physically in the everlasting presence of LOVE.
We need the Helmet, Shield, and Sword because we are involved in the great controversy between Christ and Satan and his fallen angels.
Satan is going about seeking to DEVOUR those who keep the Commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus and make war with the Remnant. Here are they!! They have the Helmet of salvation, the Shield of faith, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Our Lord Jesus has won the battle. We know what the end is going to be for Satan and his angels, and those who do not put on the whole armor of God. They will be cast in to the lake of fire. Affliction shall not rise up a second time. No more sorrow, pain or death. The former things are passed away!
Answering the question regarding ‘how literal the great controversy really is and how seriously we should take it’, I say that we cannot possibly stand as Christians without the armor; it protects and gives expression to our new nature. All parts of the armor are related to each other and need to be employed together to give complete protection.
As we go through life, we cannot neglect to wear the full armor. It is not optional - it is impossible to take it off once we have sincerely decided to wear it with integrity. It will be less effective if one thinks to put it on only in times of obvious trouble. This armor provides protection as we walk by faith in the Word of God to give our new nature’s heart and mind time to grow stronger in the Lord.
When wearing the armor, I know that I am protected at all times because it is God’s heavenly armor provided to me to stand and face the enemy. One could say that it is our Lord and Savior's living armor because all aspects are found in the way He lived. Therefore, it is that in His spirit we find the strength of life, able to stand confidently as we face the enemy of our soul in our every day’s encounters.
1.The belt of truth.
This belt holds everything else together. Knowing the truth in Jesus gives us purpose, and a foundation to stand upon. Without this belt we drift and are simply blown around by every wind of doctrine and philosophy that blows our way.
2. The breast plate of righteousness
The breastplate protects the heart. This breastplate is Christ's imputed and imparted righteousness.
It means we know our sins are forgiven, our guilt wiped away as we ask Christ to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It was Christ's death upon the cross by which He can forgive us and declare us righteous! This moves our hearts in love and service for Him!
With Christ's righteousness upon us, it empowers us to live righteously and resist evil as we live with and for Him.
3. The shield of faith
Faith is the certainty that God is real, and that He loves and guides us. Faith is fully trusting God; believing His promises are sure. Being certain that He has accepted us, is with us always, empowering us to fight and win the battles against sin. Faith in Christ's Word, fills a person with courage, hope and assurance.
4 Sword of the Spirit -- the Word of God.
It is written -- was Christ's response to the devil when tempted.
The Holy Spirit inspired the prophets to write messages from God, to reveal God's truth.
The Holy Spirit enlightens our minds to understand God's message and will for our lives.
Use the Word of truth when temptations assail us, like Jesus did in resisting Satan.
5. Shoes
Being surefooted, as we walk with Christ, enables us to take the gospel of peace and salvation to others.
6. Helmet of Salvation
The helmet protects the head. The biggest battle is the battle for the mind. That is the where we make our choices, our decisions, and determine our destiny. Are our thoughts centered on Christ and His salvation?