“Armor”

March 9, 2024

March 9, 2024

Read Leviticus 25, Psalm 68, Ephesians 6

How do most people protect themselves today? Some purchase a gun or other self-defense items. Some people enroll in a class and learn how to do it personally. Some may purchase a security system for their home. Physical protection is one area, but spiritual protection in spiritual warfare is much more serious. One of the best ways we can protect ourselves is found right here in Ephesians 6. Paul was in prison when he wrote the letter to the Ephesians. Scholars believe that used the image of a Roman centurion guard to craft the last part of Ephesians 6 which is affectionately referred to as the Armor of God.

Paul says to put in the “full armor” and not just a couple of pieces. “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” v. 11. We want to be fully prepared to face the things that the devil will throw at us each day. Is there a piece of armor that you often neglect to put on? Which one is the piece you need to remember most of all. “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” v. 13. Notice it says “when” the day of evil comes and not “if” the day of evil comes. We will face it at some point.

Paul describes the six pieces of armor. “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round 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” vv. 14-17. It has been pointed out that the sword is the offensive weapon, which is the Word of God. It is a vital part of the armor, and we should be well versed in God’s Word if we want to engage in battle. The sword can also be a defensive weapon too. A good soldier could parry with his sword and fend off blows from the enemy. Jesus did this in the wilderness when He was tempted by Satan. Jesus quoted the Scripture to fend off the attacks from the Devil.

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.

Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by John Weldon

Satan as a Terrorist, Even A Sucide Bomber

January 31, 2010

I heard  a good line today in church.  The pastor said to think of Satan as a terrorist.   In the day and time when we are under attack from Islāmic extremists we might better look at Satan in a similar way.  In the battle between good and evil, Satan is the one who leads the forces of darkness against God and all those who claim the name of Christ.  If you know your basic Bible, you know that Satan has only a limited time left before his ending chapter is finished and the book is closed.  However that doesn’t stop him from trying to cause as much damage to the Christians and the Army of God before his time is up.  I would call him a suicide bomber because he will one day have an end to all his fun made up of destruction, heartache, and pain when he is placed into the lake of fire at the end of time as it is spoken about in the book of Revelation.

Just as a terrorist can not stand for the ideals and beliefs of America and those who are not like-minded, so Satan does not like it when we take a stance for the Gospel or live our faith in a way that is infectious, in a good way,  to others.  I think many people view Satan as just the care-taker of Hell, they picture him like the cartoon character with a tail, red skin, and holding a pitch-fork.  This simply is not correct at all according to the Bible.   In a recent poll, given by Barna research (see www.barna.org) only about 40% of Christians believe that Satan is an actual real person and not just a representation of all that is evil.

The truth according to the Bible is that He is real, the Bible talks about him in both the new and old testament, even Jesus himself talked and dealt with Satan.    Satan is not bound to stay in the confines of hell.  The Devil is alive and well roaming through the earth causing as much havoc as he can trying to take advantage of poor unsuspecting Christians and to cause them to stumble in their walk with the Lord.  1 Peter 5:8 says – “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  

The last chapter in the book of Ephesians (Eph 6:11-20) talks about the Spiritual warfare that we experience as Christians.  Satan is the real enemy, we all need that reminder.  Sometimes we can think that our parents, friends, family members, and others are the enemy, but they are not, Satan is the real enemy.   There are those times when Christians who are not being feed properly with the word of God and who are not in a close relationship with God can be used by the Satan to cause strife, destruction, or hurt.    There are really only 2 sides  according to the Bible, you are either on the Lord side or you are on the enemy’s side.  There is no middle ground no matter how you look at it.  In 2 Timothy Paul encourages Timothy to be a good soldier for Christ Jesus and not to involve himself in civilian affairs, but to stay focused on the Lord and his job as a soldier for Christ. 

John 10:10 one of my favorite verses says “The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  Since there are only two sides, whose side are you on?  God’s or Satan’s?   You say you are on the Lord’s side, well what kind of soldier are you?  Are you a good soldier or would you be found AWOL (Absent without  Leave) when the Lord comes back.  We all need to be reminded from time to time  who the real enemy is and we strive to be the best soldiers for Christ that we can be.

Leave a Comment » | Religous and Life | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by John Weldon