THE CHRISTIAN ARSENAL (4)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Why is it important to protect yourself with the "Full Armor of God"?
a) Christians today are taking the ideas and practices of our culture and forming their Christian beliefs around them. We are being taught by society to be "tolerant" of anti-Bible actions and practices. We must hold firm to Christ's teachings and commandments. Be sure your "Belt of Truth" if firmly buckled around your waist. Read in the book of Colossians how easy it is for the culture of the day to infiltrate the Churches teaching and water down the truth. In this day of moral and philosophical relativism, when many people hold to the idea that "what's true for you may not be true for me", we need to remember that there is only One Truth. The Word of God is our only standard for the Truth. Take your stand on The Truth!
b) See the purpose of each part of the armor below:
Ephesians 6:10-17
10 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.
c) When Paul was writing this particular passage he was thinking of a Roman soldier dressed in armor. If anyone had first hand knowledge of Roman weaponry it was Paul because of his frequent imprisonments. He had viewed many Roman soldiers fully equipped from head to toe. For those persons who lived in that time, they would understand the image of that soldier preparing for battle. The rise of the Roman Empire was due to the well-equipped Roman Soldier who was trained in strategy, weaponry, defense, and understanding the enemy. Using the Roman Soldier's armor as a visual example, the Apostle Paul describes the Armor of God in the Book of Ephesians as both a defense and an offensive weapon.
d) He describes six pieces of armor (combat gear):
i) Two were considered offensive weapons: shoes and sword.
ii) Three were considered defensive weapons: breastplate, shield, and helmet.
iii) One was considered neutral: loin belt (girdle).
2. Shield of Faith
a) Practical Military Purpose
i) The Romans had a long, rectangular, knees-to-chin shield which protected from arrows and spears and could be knelt behind during an arrow barrage. It was quite a bit heavier and clumsier that the smaller Greek circular shield; but there was a series of exercises, a manual of arms, designed to give the soldier flexibility and strength in the use of the shield. Groups of soldier who were besieging a town could form close together and hold their shields over their heads to make a huge circle to protect the group from fiery arrows.
b) Spiritual Warfare Application
i) In this verse, the Roman shield stands for the faith of the believer in the promises of God. The value of faith lies not in the person exercising it, but in the person whom the faith is in. Faith is something that all people possess and use every day. Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes through hearing the Word of God. Knowing the Bible and the God of the Bible gives you greater faith. Remember it is God that fights with you and that is some awesome protection.
The End ...
1. Why is it important to protect yourself with the "Full Armor of God"?a) Christians today are taking the ideas and practices of our culture and forming their Christian beliefs around them. We are being taught by society to be "tolerant" of anti-Bible actions and practices. We must hold firm to Christ's teachings and commandments. Be sure your "Belt of Truth" if firmly buckled around your waist. Read in the book of Colossians how easy it is for the culture of the day to infiltrate the Churches teaching and water down the truth. In this day of moral and philosophical relativism, when many people hold to the idea that "what's true for you may not be true for me", we need to remember that there is only One Truth. The Word of God is our only standard for the Truth. Take your stand on The Truth!
b) See the purpose of each part of the armor below:
Ephesians 6:10-17
10 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.
c) When Paul was writing this particular passage he was thinking of a Roman soldier dressed in armor. If anyone had first hand knowledge of Roman weaponry it was Paul because of his frequent imprisonments. He had viewed many Roman soldiers fully equipped from head to toe. For those persons who lived in that time, they would understand the image of that soldier preparing for battle. The rise of the Roman Empire was due to the well-equipped Roman Soldier who was trained in strategy, weaponry, defense, and understanding the enemy. Using the Roman Soldier's armor as a visual example, the Apostle Paul describes the Armor of God in the Book of Ephesians as both a defense and an offensive weapon.
d) He describes six pieces of armor (combat gear):
i) Two were considered offensive weapons: shoes and sword.
ii) Three were considered defensive weapons: breastplate, shield, and helmet.
iii) One was considered neutral: loin belt (girdle).
2. Shield of Faith
a) Practical Military Purpose
i) The Romans had a long, rectangular, knees-to-chin shield which protected from arrows and spears and could be knelt behind during an arrow barrage. It was quite a bit heavier and clumsier that the smaller Greek circular shield; but there was a series of exercises, a manual of arms, designed to give the soldier flexibility and strength in the use of the shield. Groups of soldier who were besieging a town could form close together and hold their shields over their heads to make a huge circle to protect the group from fiery arrows.
b) Spiritual Warfare Application
i) In this verse, the Roman shield stands for the faith of the believer in the promises of God. The value of faith lies not in the person exercising it, but in the person whom the faith is in. Faith is something that all people possess and use every day. Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes through hearing the Word of God. Knowing the Bible and the God of the Bible gives you greater faith. Remember it is God that fights with you and that is some awesome protection.
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