Our Whole Armor, 6of9

~ Helmet of Salvation ~

“And take the helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17a). 

The primary function of any helmet is to protect the head.  The Christian warrior must protect his thinking. 

“Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’” (John 8:31-32). Protection of the head is not only important physically but of crucial importance mentally. 

We are to study our model—Jesus Christ—who is “The Way, The Truth, and The Life” (John 14:6).  “For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head” (Isaiah 59:17).  We are to learn Christ who is Truth and defend and model the truth (2 Corinthians 10:5). 

Our adversary, Satan, is sneaky in the area of our thinking.  He wants our thoughts to drift just a little from the truth.  Once a minor deviation occurs, the path is downward unless we deliberately take control of our minds.  That is why we are told, “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

We cannot survive this war without protecting our heads.  The helmet of salvation provides security.  Salvation is a big term which includes the past (I was saved by accepting Christ as Savior), the present (I am being saved), and the future (I will be saved for eternity).  The only way to successfully win the battles of the present is by committing ourselves to regular time in the Word of God, prayer, and submitting our wills to His will.  This all begins and is maintained in the head which will be protected by the helmet of salvation if we regularly put it on. 

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, niv). 

don’t miss this  ~  (1)  Wars, while often thought of as physical, are usually won by superior thinking.   The greatest battle field in Biblical times and now is in the mind.  Our task is to think like Christ would think.  Ask yourself constantly, “What would Christ think in this situation?”  (2) The key purpose of a helmet is to protect your head—your thinking.  We are to become more and more like our Savior until we think like He thinks.  “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).  

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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Our Whole Armor, 5of9

~ Shield of Faith ~

“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16).  

The shield of faith has the core concept of trust in God and in Him alone.  “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).  A shield in warfare of that day was probably the single most important defensive aspect of armor.  It deflected the darts, arrows, spears, and swords of the enemy.  Our modern concept of armor is that of defensive protection; for example, think of “armored vehicles.”  In spiritual warfare we have many deadly weapons hurled at us—two of the greatest are doubt and erosion of our confidence in our Savior. 

When an army marches together or forms a solid line, the combined shields are much more effective than when a single soldier stands alone.  This is illustrative of the need for believers to meet together for strength.  The strength of the total is far more than the sum of the individuals. 

While shields are primarily defensive, they certainly provide confidence that allows us to move forward with an offensive thrust.  We have faith in the One who is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).  

When we put on the shield of faith, we are declaring our trust in the One who created us and adopted us into His family and into His army.  We are trusting Him for protection and safety.  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

don’t miss this  ~  (1) You have been given armor that covers you from head to foot.  Satan’s attacks will not be effective against you as long as you keep all your armor in place.  (2) The most important aspect of faith is to remember the focus and value lies not in your exercising faith but in the One in whom you place your faith.  “Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).  The more you know the written Word and the living Word, the greater faith you will have.  How much time have you spent in the written Word this past week?  How much time have you spent on your knees this past week?  Are you fully trusting your life to the One who created you and redeemed you?  Do you have complete faith (confidence) in all the promises of God? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Our Whole Armor, 4of9

~ Shoes of Peace ~

“Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).

Good feet are essential for any soldier.  Without good footwear it is hard for a foot soldier to accomplish military feats.  Good sandals, shoes, or boots represent movement and the ability to go.  There is historical evidence that suggests superior footwear allowed the Roman army to advance successfully due to the spikes on the soles of their footwear.  Good traction provides stability on uneven or slippery ground and provides protection for the feet.  In martial arts the stance is considered critical.  It is only from a proper solid stance that all kinds of kicks and punches can effectively be launched. 

In Biblical days the enemy would sometimes scatter sharp stones or barbed spikes along the main routes to slow the enemy down.  In modern warfare mankind uses land mines, or more recently IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) just under the surface.  Satan, the great enemy of Christ and His army is similar in how he scatters snares and traps to slow us, or even stop us, from spreading the gospel of peace. 

The cleats or spikes of a Christian soldier are fashioned by the Word of God.  Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).  When Jesus came to earth the first time, an angel accompanied by a multitude of heavenly beings pronounced, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14).  When He comes the second time it will be as the Prince of Peace bringing lasting peace to His people.   Is it surprising that our foot protection is related to the gospel of peace?  

The Word of God is both an offensive and defensive weapon.  When Satan tempted the Messiah, each temptation was responded to with God’s Word (Matthew 4:1-11). 

The Word of God is likewise critical for our spiritual battles.  We have been given clear commands to go on the offense such as, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’  Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).  Another related command is, “Sanctify [set apart] the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). 

We have also been given clear commands about being prepared defensively.  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9a).  Defensive preparation is the major point of the passage we are looking at in this series.  “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:11-13). 

don’t miss this  ~  (1) The shoes of peace – Jesus Christ is our peace!  “For He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14a).  (2) In any war it is the soldier’s responsibility to not only hold his ground but to advance and take new ground.  How are you doing?  When was the last time you witnessed about your Savior?  How long has it been since you gained new souls for the Savior? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).