Ephesians 6:10-18 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Whole Armor of God
(Soldiers of Christ Arise)
(Soldiers of Christ Arise)
Armor, battle, war, blood, evil? Sounds scary to me.
Amid all the "political correctness" of our day, we tend to be afraid to share our faith lest we offend someone else. And when we do take a stand for our faith, we’re often branded as "judgmental" - "intolerant" - "right-wing faction." The PC Society today would rather focus on non-controversial topics like "love" and "forgiveness" rather than confronting Satan’s lies. The let's all get along philosophy. However, the spiritual battle is real and the stakes are too high for us to run away. Satan’s forces have filled the world with injustice and lies. They are on the prowl.
The best way to start your day off (other than pouring a cup of coffee) is by putting on the WHOLE armor of God. That is the secret. Be prepared. Put on the PANOPLY God has supplied. The dictionary's definition of panoply is a full suit of armor; ceremonial attire; a magnificent or impressive array; a display of all appropriate appurtenances. How dazzling and impressive. We know God is not going to leave us to fend for ourselves. Among other things, we have His protection and His Sword - His Word.
The "armor" reference used by Paul in Ephesians is an illustration of the armor worn by the Roman Army of that time period. They looked impressive and ready for battle. The soldiers needed to hook one piece of armor to the other for it to be effective or it would not protect them. The purpose of ARMOR is to protect - not just look good. You actually have to put the armor on for it to work - not just hang it in your closet.
The "armor" reference used by Paul in Ephesians is an illustration of the armor worn by the Roman Army of that time period. They looked impressive and ready for battle. The soldiers needed to hook one piece of armor to the other for it to be effective or it would not protect them. The purpose of ARMOR is to protect - not just look good. You actually have to put the armor on for it to work - not just hang it in your closet.
God's "fashion-sense" is not dictated by the PC standards of the day or "cafeteria style" where you get to pick and choose. He has His own designer-label. Why would we leave the house without ALL our clothes on? The same is with God's Armor - it will not work effectively and protect us unless all the pieces are put on EVERY DAY. God provides the Armor - all we need to do is pick it up and put it on.
It is like God's Grace - it is there, available to each one of us - but we need to accept it.
Why would anyone want to go to battle without using all the protection available to them? We are in a battle against spiritual hosts of wickedness. We need to wear spiritual armor to fight a spiritual battle - not thoughts and tools of the world. It would be like fighting a house fire with a squirt gun. We need God's power and might so we can stand firm.
It is like God's Grace - it is there, available to each one of us - but we need to accept it.
Why would anyone want to go to battle without using all the protection available to them? We are in a battle against spiritual hosts of wickedness. We need to wear spiritual armor to fight a spiritual battle - not thoughts and tools of the world. It would be like fighting a house fire with a squirt gun. We need God's power and might so we can stand firm.
Written by Charles Wesley, 1749:
Soldiers of Christ, arise,
And put your armor on,
Strong in the strength
Which God supplies
Through his eternal Son.
And put your armor on,
Strong in the strength
Which God supplies
Through his eternal Son.
Strong in the Lord of Hosts,
And in his mighty pow’r,
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts
Is more than conqueror.
And in his mighty pow’r,
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts
Is more than conqueror.
Stand then in his great might,
With all his strength endued;
But take, to arm you for the fight,
The panoply of God.
With all his strength endued;
But take, to arm you for the fight,
The panoply of God.
Leave no unguarded place,
No weakness of the soul;
Take ev’ry virtue, ev’ry grace,
And fortify the whole.
No weakness of the soul;
Take ev’ry virtue, ev’ry grace,
And fortify the whole.
Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 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.
13 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.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
Soldiers of Christ Arise
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