Last Sunday we learned that there is an invisible war raging around us at all times. It is the war of good versus evil, fought by the spirit armies of Satan and God.
As good soldiers we look to our Commander for the proper equipment needed to fight the war we are participating in. God has done exactly that. We find out about the armor that God has provided for us in Ephesians 6:14-18.
Armor, both body armor and equipment armor, has been around for a very long time. There have been and are different kinds of armor, but all armor has one central purpose. That purpose is to protect and keep safe whatever, or whomever, it is the armor is placed on. The armor God has provided for us is spiritual armor, for the spiritual war. Listen to Paul’s description of our armor:
Firstly – The Belt Of Truth. The belt of a Roman soldier of the time was the foundation of his armor. Everything attached to it. It held his breastplate close to his body so that it would not bounce around when he ran. It also held the scabbard for his sword and a smaller edged weapon. It was also useful as a support for the soldier’s back.
Our belt of truth functions very much the same:
Our breastplate of righteousness is given to us when we accept Christ as our personal Savior. It is how we stand with God, in His eyes. Through Christ, we are made right with God. What we were, we no longer are. We are a new creature in God’s eyes. Second Corinthians 5:21 tells us, “God made Him who had no sin become sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteous of God.” As Christians we are to protect our heart from the power and corruption of sin by relying on our breastplate of righteousness given to us by God.
Thirdly – The Sandals of Peace. The Roman soldier’s sandals were not like ours today. Theirs were fitted with nails (much like modern golf shoes) that allowed them to grip the ground in any type of conditions. Thus, the soldier had the ability to stay on his feet no matter where he was.
Our sandals of peace that we have in Christ give us firm footing in any situation that we find ourselves in, in this world. Christ’s peace gives us the ability to stand with Christ and for Christ no matter what.
Fourthly – The Shield of Faith. The Roman’s shield was not (as some television and movies show) a small round piece of metal, but was rather a large oblong shield that protected the soldier from arrow attacks. The shield was often covered in leather and soaked with water before battle in order to put out flames when necessary. In battle, the enemy would sometimes cover the tips of their arrows with pitch or some other combustible material. They would then light them and send them off into the air like little incendiary bombs.
Satan uses a tactic much like that in his attacks against us. Some of his fiery attacks are:
We Christians are to place our complete trust in God. Our faith is our shield against Satan’s fiery attacks. It is the power of faith that puts out the fires that Satan starts in our lives.
Fifthly – The Helmet of Salvation. The Roman soldier’s helmet was there to protect the head and mind. If the mind is damaged, the soldier is of no effective use. Scripture tells us, “The mind of sinful man is death. But the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)
For Christians, our helmet is our salvation. It is the source of protection for our Christian mind. Scripture tells us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to attest and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Our mind is the source for every action and every attitude that is a part of our lives. Every behavior is a product of your mind. The power of our salvation helps us to keep our mind on Jesus Christ and away from sin.
Last, but not least – The Sword of the Spirit. The Roman soldier’s sword was used for both offense and defense. It’s purpose was to slay the enemy.
Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Our sword is the word of God. His words to us in scripture give us the ability to fight back against the schemes and plans of Satan.
Remember Jesus’ encounter with Satan in the wilderness? As the Devil tried on three occasions to trick Jesus, He did not resort to arguing with Satan. No, Jesus simply replied three times, “It is written…” Jesus simply resorted to the Word of God as found in Scripture and the Devil was forced to flee. When we live by the Scriptures, we too can cause the Devil to flee from our presence. That is why it is so important to read and study the Bible on a regular basis. For how can we use the Word of God as our sword if we do not know what the Word of God has to say? You can’t swing a sword in offense or defense if you do not have one.
Make no mistake about it, Satan does indeed know Scripture. One of his most often used tactics is to bend or twist Scripture into something that sounds good, but is really a trap that leads to the door of Hell. You hear it today in the many false teachings and doctrines of a host of “alternative” religions, and sadly enough, even in the teachings of some of the mainline pulpits.
In order to obey the Truth, you must know the truth. Jesus Christ is the Truth. Without Him, you are doomed. Amen.