Month: May 2017

THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD – Helmet of Salvation…


Spiritual Blog - Helmet

Ephesians 6:10-20 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  NASU

 

We have considered the GIRDLE or BELT OF TRUTH, the BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS, the GOSPEL SHOES, and the SHIELD of FAITH.  Now we come to the next and final defensive piece of armor, the HELMET of SALVATION.  In the armor of a soldier, the helmet protects the head or the brain and in the spiritual, it protects the MIND.  We are told in Philippians 2:5 to “Let this mind be in your which was also in Christ…”  We know that we are TRANSFORMED by the “Renewing” of our minds.  We know that the Mind of Christ is conveyed by the Holy Spirit as He teaches us all things.  As we have our heads or minds covered by the HELMET of SALVATION we can bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and think thoughts of heaven, not earth.  We need to be Saved or Sozoed in our Minds so that we can embrace the Full Salvation of Christ and Stand on His Promises with confidence.

The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7 that, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.  We are not to think of ourselves more than we ought but to think soberly, as God as given to each of us a measure of faith.  As our minds are under the covering of God, the Blood of Jesus, the Grace of God, and protected with the Armor of God we can apply the principles of Christ, utilize the Armor and Weapons, which are spiritual, pulling down strongholds.  We can direct our thoughts which formulate our actions in the direction God has designed and desired.  Our minds will not be filled with scattered and unrestrained thoughts which lead to confusion and destruction.  With the HELMET of SALVATION covering us, we are able to walk in Peace, prepare for our Purpose, and pursue His Purposes for our lives.

Ephesians 1:13-14 – “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”  In light of that passage, the HELMET of SALVATION is not only protection but a seal so that when the enemy sees us he sees Christ and knows that we belong to God.  He knows that when we speak, we speak with the Power and Authority of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In that light, the HELMET of SALVATION is not only defensive but offensive and becomes a weapon of warfare to use against the enemy and facilitates our ability to STAND after having done all to stand.

We will pause here and consider the next item tomorrow, the SWORD of the SPIRIT as we complete our Battle Clothing.  We are engaged in a Spiritual War and must not only have the biblically afforded protection but the spiritual weapons and know how to use them.

May the Lord be with you and bless you as you enjoy this day in Jesus!

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THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD – Shield of Faith…


Spiritual Blog - Shield

Ephesians 6:10-20 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  NASU

 

We have considered the BELT of TRUTH, the BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS, and the GOSPEL SHOES.  Now we turn our attention to the SHIELD of FAITH.  It would seem, on the surface that the listing of this piece of armor is out of place.  One would not anticipate taking up the shield before being fully clothed with armor but this is interposed between the GOSPEL SHOES and the HELMET of SALVATION.  Could there be a reason?  I can answer that in a simplistic fashion and realize that it will not fully suffice but what is one element required for Salvation?  It is Faith, right?  The Bible tells us that it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God without faith.  We are told that God has given to every man a, or the measure of faith and we are told that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  Faith is more a heart commodity than one of the head but the mind cannot be omitted for we are told that we are TRANSFORMED by the ‘renewing’ of our minds.

Faith is more than believing in the existence of God it is holding firm to the promises, precepts, and principles of God.  When our faith is strong our love is strong and our sense of security in His Grace is strong.  We know and believe that God is Who He says He is, will do what He says He will do and Keeps His Covenant to a thousand generations.  When our faith is strong in the Power of God it is impossible for the devil to break through and steal, kill, or destroy.  With the SHIELD of FAITH, we are able to protect the entire body, heart, soul, mind, spirit and being from the flaming missiles of the enemy.  Those thoughts that are to be brought captive to the obedience of Christ are protected and those foreign destructive doubtful thoughts are kept out or blocked by our SHIELD. 

Faith is an incredible protector for it leads us into the Presence of God and covers us like a shroud or shield us from the onslaught of the enemy.  Remember Daniel in the lion’s den, faith kept him safe.  Remember the three Hebrew Children in the furnace, faith kept them from the flames.  Remember Paul being shipwrecked, faith kept the serpent from harming him as well as countless other times.  The SHIELD of FAITH is not just personal protection, for when understood as the armor of a Roman Soldier, the shields would be joined together and protected the entire squad, troop, or legion.  We are iron sharpening iron and we draw from each other’s strength.  With the SHIELD of FAITH, we are able to protect each other as well as protect ourselves and the life that we now live in the flesh we live by the faith of the Son of God.  With faith, we can face any challenge, confident of the outcome because our Lord has already won the victory.

The SHIELD of FAITH enables us to take on the HELMET of SALVATION and take up the SWORD of the SPIRIT.  Let the faith of God rise in your heart and seek first Him and His kingdom.  Invest yourself in His word for we do not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. That Word produces faith.  I have said it this way, “Faith is a product of heaven, not earth.  When God speaks, faith is transmitted. When man hears, faith is received. When man acts, faith is released. When God acts, faith is complete.”  It is a product that begins and ends in God and He has given it to us through His Spirit and His Word.

We need to delve into the next piece of armor the HELMET of SALVATION but that will have to wait until next time.  Until then, God bless you richly is my prayer and desire!

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THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD – Gospel Combat Boots…


Spiritual Blog - Gospel Shoes

Ephesians 6:10-20 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  NASU

 

We have covered two pieces of the Full Armor of God, the GIRDLE or BELT of TRUTH, and the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.  Now we come to the third item listed in Paul’s discourse, the GOSPEL FOOTWEAR, “feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace.”  That description covers more than just Gospel Combat Boots or Shoes it covers the heart and root of the gospel and that is a vital area of consideration.  In Roman and Grecian militaries part of their success was attributed to the soldiers being well shod and able to endure long marches with incredible speed over very rough terrain.  Therefore, having our feet, which represents our walk and our life, shod with the Gospel of Peace is powerfully important in our Spiritual Warfare.  Notice this says,” …and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace.” 

PREPARATION is a key element in this piece of armor.  Preparation denotes readiness and is a continual reminder that we are to be workmen that need not be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth and we are to be ready always, instant in season and out of season.  This is to be on ‘firm footing’ with the Gospel but it is more than just the Good News it is the Gospel of Peace.  The Peace of God and the Greek word is “Eirene (i-ray-nay) and means to be ‘set at one again.’  This is being firmly rooted and settled in Jesus, prepared and ready with a firm foundation to present the Gospel, the Good News to whomever, wherever, and whenever.  In Albert Barnes’ notes on the Bible, we find that the Roman soldier’s sandals were “often fitted with nails, or armed with spikes, to make them hold firm in the ground.”  That is our condition with the GOSPEL SHOES, standing on a firm foundation, ready and prepared to STAND FIRM and DECLARE THE GOSPEL.

PREPARATION or READINESS means constant vigilance as a good soldier is every alert and aware of his surroundings.  He cares for his armor and equipment for they may mean the difference between life and death or victory and defeat.  Our PEACE SHOES have a two-fold purpose, defensive and offensive.  Defensively we have to be able to stand on a solid foundation if we are going to lift the Shield of Faith and the Sword of the Spirit and do battle.  We have to have confidence in our position and condition in Christ, know that our foundation in His Grace is sure.  Offensively, we have to have sure footing that we can both withstand an assault and launch one.  The GOSPEL SHOES are shoes properly fitted for the journey, designed by the Lord Himself and empowered by the Holy Spirit’s Anointing.

Jesus is our Peace and when we are anchored in His Peace, secure in His Salvation, confident in His Grace and prepared for battle, we can deliver the Gospel with a power and authority the devil cannot withstand.  We truly can go into all the world and preach the gospel and expect the results Jesus declared.

I desire to address this more fully and take up the next piece of Spiritual Armor so we will pause here and deal with the SHIELD OF FAITH in the next devotional.  God, bless you richly is my prayer and desire!

 

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THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD – [Part 2] …


Spiritual Blog - Armor

Ephesians 6:10-20 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  NASU

 

Last time, we considered the first piece of armor mentioned, the GIRDLE or BELT of TRUTH and its importance and the reason for it being the first mentioned.  Now, I’d like us to proceed with the other items mentioned and their order.  The second piece of armor listed is the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.  The Roman breastplate was what most would call the “Coat of Mail” which had a hole for the head to fit through and covered from the thorax to the thighs both front and back.  I have preached that we have no armor for the rear but if we use this analogy that would be inaccurate.  We know that, in the natural, enemies will try to sneak up from the rear and snipers pick off the stragglers in a column of soldiers.  God would never leave us defenseless to the rear although we are not people of retreat, we are covered from behind as well as from the front and sides.  I feel the need to remind you of Isaiah 52:12, “…for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”  Also, Psalm 91:11-12, “For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”  Also, Proverbs 2:7-8, “…He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.”  Another powerful promise and reference is Isaiah 58:8-9, “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will call for help, and He will say: Here am I.”  Hallelujah!  

The BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS is critical to our walk, work, word, and warfare in Christ.  Our hearts covered with His Righteousness is vital for us to walk in His peace, power, and protection.  He makes us the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.  It is not by works of righteousness that we have done but by His Grace that we are saved, protected, healed, and delivered.  The Bible makes it clear that God demands Holiness and desires His children to walk in Right Standing with Him demonstrating His Righteousness to an Unrighteous generation.  We are to be lights shining into a darkened world and that can only be a reality as we are clothed in Truth, The TRUTH, and filled with His RIGHTEOUSNESS.  His Righteousness will draw to Him and lead people into His Peace.

We walk, not in our righteousness but His.  Remember the human frailty and failure of David.  Remember the denial of Peter and the failure of men of God throughout history but then also remember that God’s Grace clothes us in God’s Righteousness and we walk JUSTIFIED before Him.  The BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS is vital if we are to be His epistles known and read of men and to fulfill the Great Commission and Go into all the World bringing people to Spiritual Freedom!

It seems that this will take longer than first anticipated but there is much more that I desire to convey about the FULL ARMOR of GOD so we will pause here and pick up next time with the GOSPEL SHOES.  May the Lord richly bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Jesus.

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