The bible depicts countless battles from Genesis to revelation it pages reveal there are both physical and spiritual wars raging . however the primary forces of Scripture is the ongoing conflict between Christ and Satan. Revelation speaks that what began as a cosmic war in heaven will soon end in Armageddon .showdown between the forces of good and the powers of evil, every single one fo us is involved the battleground for this intense spiritual struggle is no some piece of earthly real estate it is the human heart. Both Jesus and the devil are supremely interested in winning pssession of our minds and hearts for this reason , for this reason Christians are called to be more than peaceful spectators in the cataclysmic conflict we must be committed front-line commandos
St Paul , reminds us' we wrestle not against flesh and bllod but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). Paul also marks it clear that Christians commitment to his cause and commander should be as real and complete as for any earthly soldiers
the importance of wearing armor when charging off into battle We are not called to wear the faulty body armor of Saul, or Goliath ,rather we must put on the unfailing armor of God ! St paul was expanding on the words of the old testament prophet Isaiah who had made a similar spiritual association for two of the articles of armor' For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an a helmet of salvation upon his head (Isaiah 59:17)
let's consider each of these articles of defense one by one to see what we can learn
Belt of Truth
the spiritual significance is that God does not simply want us to point are the truth; he wants us to wear it have it wrapped about us not only does that belt hold everything in place but it also serves to carry the sheath that holds the sword of spirit for ready access . Christians have fled haked and ashamed when challenged by the enemy because they have not secured the belt of truth. never forget that wearing the belt of truth also means wearing Christ for he is ' the way , the truth and the life ( john 14:6). That is whey Paul said ' for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:27, emphasis added )
Breastplate of righteousness
the breastplate was an important article of defense that protected the front torso and all of the vital organs from a mortal wound, It was often composed for a solid piece of metal but it could also numerous small pieces that were sewn to cloth of leather that overlapped much like scales of a fish, as 700 to 1,000 per coat,
Waring the breastplate of righteousness is always in partnership with the robe of Jesus righteousness
'I put on righteousness and it clothed me (Jho29:14) . also keep in mind that the high priest wore a golden breastplate over his linen robe that was set with 12 precious stones each inscribed with one of the names of the 12 tribes of Israel, ‘ And Aaron shall bear the name of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart (Exodus 28:29) . the only way we can experience victory in battle against the devil is through confidence that the righteousness of Jesus covers our hear that we are forgiven
Another interesting aspect of the breastplate was that it offered no protection to the person’s back it was assumed that the soldiers would not turn there backs toward the enemy to retreat Likewise Christina soldiers should stand firm and never surrender any ground to the devil, Instead let the devil flee from you steadfast loyalty ‘ submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you ( James 4:7, emphasis added )
Shield of Faith
The warriors shield was his first line of defense, Usually made of wood or bronze, it was often big enough to protect the whole body when the soldiers crouched down under a hail of arrows . Likewise, faith in Christ’s blood is our first defense against the great accuser (Zechariah 3:1-5)
The purpose for this shield of faith was to deflect the fiery darts of the enemy and prevent them from ever making contact. The shield was not held lossely in the solder’s hand, but was firmly strapped to his forearm so he could resist the mighty blow of any enemy’s sword without fear of dropping it ,Likewise, Christians cannot afford to have a flimsy faith while in the heart of spiritual battle
The shields of he old were also often of a distinctive nature sometimes marked with the insignia or name of the king to the help soldiers avoid fighting their own comrades in the confusion of battle, in the same way when the devil sends his flaming arrows of temptation we are to hold up the shield bearing the name of our king of Kings , Jesus , through faith in his name we can resist.
‘ there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man : but god is faithful who will suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able: but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it’ (1 Corinthians10:13)
Helmet of Salvation
Wearing a helmet improperly prove to be a fatal mistake , in (1 Samuel 17:40-49 ) we see what Goliath did with his helmet. The purpose for this helmet of salvation , Your mind should not be open to anything and everything As we study and come to understand God’s Word, there should be a settling into the truth ‘ that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by trickery of men in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting’(Ephesians 4:14, NKJV)
We must firmly strap the helmet of salvation in place and guard these avenues to the soul
Gospel shoes
In the Bible , the foot is a symbol for the direction or the walk of a person’s life.
‘how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings of tidings of good that published salivation (Isaiah 52:7)
You don’t want to be caught without your gospel shoes while journeying through this wilderness ! don’t remove your gospel shoes for any we never need to worry about them wearing away God will resole them every time we return to the cross, It we are faithful he will say to us as he did to the children of the Israel: Your sandals have not worn out your feet( Deuteronomy 26:5, NKJV)
Sword of God’s word
The sword was the most common weapons in battle. The sword of god’s word is what Jesus used against the devil and it also gave the beast of Revelation 13 a deadly wound (Revelation 13:3-4) .When Jesus said ‘ I did not come to bring peace but a sword,’
He was not saying that he , the Prince of peace had come to start war ( Matthew 10:34)
.Rather he was pointing out that the sword that god’s world has a dividing effect
Several time this sword is depicted as having two edges: ‘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 it a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the hearts’ ( Hebrews 4:12)
The again in Revelation 1:16, the bible says ‘ He had in his right hand seven stars; and of his moth went a sharp tow-edged sword;
The two edges of the Spirit’s sword are the two witnesses of god Word the new and Old testaments,. I t is also call a two- edged sword because it is to be used both against the enemy and for personal use, Like the Philippian jailer we must be ready to apply the sword of god’s word to over selves (Act 16:27)
Ancient soldiers also used their swords for cooking splitting , kindling and for cutting the ropes that bound their captives to set them free , likewise the word of god is a practical too for every are of life as well as in fighting the devil.
A soldier traveling in enemy territory never left his sword out of reach in the same way a Christian ‘should be ready always to give a an answer to every man that asketh you’re a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15)
All prayer
The last of the armaments were really an attitude, any general knows that victory almost always depends on which army has the element of surprise. Even the best of armor is almost useless if the soldiers are found dozing, We are commanded to be ‘watchful to this end with all perseverance’ (Ephesians 6:18)
‘take ye heed , watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is ‘ (Mark 13:33)
‘be sober , be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour’ (1 Peter 5:8)
Three times Paul urges his reader to stand with the armor, an army is not better than its discipline. God pays the bill for entire arsenal, all that we need was purchased at Calvary with the blood of his own dear son, Just as Jonathan so loved David that he gave his armor , sword , robe and indeed his very throne (1 Samuel 18:3,4 ) so Jesus gives us all we need to be assured to total and final victory