By C. Haynes
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of rightness; and your feet shod with preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God."
- Ephesians 6: 13 - 17
Many times we read and are told about putting on the whole armor of God but do we really understand the significance of each placement? Why each attribute is ascribed to certain tools or items? Let’s take a closer look.
“HAVING YOUR LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH…”
To girt your loins means to put on a belt. When a belt is worn it holds things up, together and in place so that nothing falls apart. The “belt” of truth holds the born – again believer up in the midst of false doctrine, false prophesies and lies. It keeps you from falling therefore you stand.
is and that includes being the Son of God and still God – it means to know that you are born – again and have a place in paradise with The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A result of gaining salvation is a change in behavior.
Just like the brain triggers impulses to tell your body how to act and feel, salvation triggers spiritual impulses to tell the born – again believer how to act, react, feel and live.
“…BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS”
Righteousness defined means to be upright and morally justified. The breastplate as part of armor guards the heart and chest cavity from being pierced by weaponry – arrows, bullets, etc. So the “breastplate of righteousness” is significant for guarding the heart of the born-again believer, covering it with moral justice and uprightness.“…FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE”
Having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace means to be always ready to share the good news which is the GOSPEL. It is written in Romans 10:15: “15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”“ABOVE ALL, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH…”
A shield blocks the onslaught of things coming toward you or things being hurled at you from wicked outside sources. Faith is what a born – again believer has to hold on to – it is our hope in the midst of trials and impossible situations and circumstances. Faith is the shield we as born – again believers in Christ Jesus hold up to “quench” the arrows of doubt, destruction, false instruction, sin and temptation, etc.“…THE HELMET OF SALVATION…”
Helmets are placed on the head, the head houses the brain, the brain controls thought and reasoning as well as sends signals through out the body on how to function. Salvation is the knowledge of knowing that you as an individual has come to believe that Jesus Christ is all that He said Heis and that includes being the Son of God and still God – it means to know that you are born – again and have a place in paradise with The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A result of gaining salvation is a change in behavior.
Just like the brain triggers impulses to tell your body how to act and feel, salvation triggers spiritual impulses to tell the born – again believer how to act, react, feel and live.
“For the word of god is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” - Hebrews 4: 12
“THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD”
A sword is a weapon used for defense, it protects it’s user and it gives them confidence to stand. As born – again believers the enemy constantly attacks us but God has provided a weapon for us that gives us strength and protection against destruction, temptation and sin, and principalities inthe heavenlies that war against us. It is written in Hebrews 4:12: “12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Feel free to email Crystal Haynes at agapenewschgc@gmail.com.
This was originally published in the fourth printed issue of Agape News in April 2015.
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