SCRIP-BITS

Ephesians 6:14.         Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.

Aye friends, it’s a cold but sunshiny Tuesday morning! And can you believe that we’ve already reached the 20th day of the month, when we just celebrated New Year’s a few days ago? (smile) This year seems to be hustling along as quickly as the last few others, so we’ve got to get up and get moving before it passes us by. And since the Lord has spared our lives, allowing us to see another beautiful day on planet earth, let’s keep our promise and delve into the specifics of the spiritual armour of God that we were talking about yesterday. 

We recognized that we are fighting a spiritual battle against the forces of evil and darkness, and thus we needed protective clothing from their wicked attacks, and the Lord has provided just such protection for us, but first we have to understand what it’s all about, then dress ourselves in it, and stay dressed in it, so it can afford us God’s protection against the powerful evil schemes of the enemy. Or as Bruh Paul told us yesterday: ‘Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (evil schemes) of the devil.’ (Eph. 6:11) 

Now what exactly does this protective armour consist of eh? Bruh Paul elucidates when he writes: ‘Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness. And your feet shod with the 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 (one). And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’ (Eph. 6:14-18) 

And that’s certainly a mouthful, but what does it all mean? Let’s hear the scholars’ explanation. They say: ‘The whole armour of God consists of six pieces. The first one is Truth, which is a knowledge of the truth of God’s Word. The ancient soldier’s loins (waist) were girt about with a leather belt which held most of the other pieces of his armour in place. Similarly, the other pieces of the Christian’s armour depend on, and are held in place by his spiritual “belt” or his knowledge of the “truth” of Scripture. 

The next piece of spiritual armour is the breastplate of righteousness, which relates to protection for our chest. That represents a holy character and moral conduct. Obedience to the “truth” known produces a godly life (“righteousness”). The third piece of our spiritual armour consists of the preparation of the gospel of peace or our protective shoes. That means the “eagerness that comes from the gospel of peace.” That is, as the Roman soldier wore special shoes called caligae on his feet, enabling him to advance against the enemy, so the Christian must have on his feet (possess) a sense of “eagerness” or “willingness” to advance against the Devil and take the fight to him. 

(Remember that the best method of defence is attack.) Such “eagerness” to contend with Satan “comes from the gospel of peace.” The gospel gives peace to the believer, freeing him from anxiety though he advances against such a powerful opponent. Then we have the shield of (which is) faith. It means taking God at His Word by believing His promises. Such trust will protect one from doubts induced by Satan. Next up is the helmet of salvation. Since the readers are already Christians (2:8), they are not here urged to be saved. First Thessalonians 5:8 describes this helmet as “the hope of salvation” that is the certainty (assurance) of salvation. 

Then comes the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: That’s what we fight with, what we slash and cut the enemy to bits with; the mighty Word of God! Remember how Hebrews describes it? ‘For the word of God is quick (alive, living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner (able to judge) of the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.’ (Heb. 4:12) 

As this commentary declares: ‘The Word of God is seen as both a weapon for spiritual offense (like Jesus used against temptation) and a tool for deep introspection and transformation, cutting to the core to reveal what’s truly inside.’ Now which enemy can stand against such a marvellous weapon eh? Neither Satan nor mankind! The scholars though, point out that the Greek term rendered “word” is not logos, referring to the whole Word of God, but rhema, referring to certain portions or selected verses of Scripture. 

And there you have the six pieces of spiritual armour; the kind of stuff that a Christian soldier does not go into battle without. It’s the belt of truth, that holds up all our equipment; the breastplate of righteousness that protects our chest, the shoes of the gospel of peace that lends us eagerness to take the fight to the enemy, the shield of faith that helps to deflect the fiery darts of the enemy, the helmet of salvation which protects our head and gives us the assurance of salvation, and the marvellous sword of the Spirit, that deadly weapon which no foe can stand against when wielded by a true believer. 

However, there is one more very important aspect to our spiritual armour, that’s prayer. Remember what Bruh Paul said above? ‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…’ (Eph. 6:18) Well, as the scholars tell us, ‘Without prayer God’s armour is inadequate to achieve victory. Prayer is indispensable.’ And so it is my fellow believers. It has to be, since it is our method of communicating with God. So, in actual fact we have seven weapons of spiritual armour. 

And I do hope that our discourse today helps us better understand what it’s all about, because if you don’t know it, and don’t have it at your disposal, then things will be even rougher than normal. Remember, the first thing we need to know is the truth; the truth of God’s Word, and that only comes by reading and studying it. So, if you don’t understand all we’ve said, then please delve into the Word and acquaint your self with it. (smile) 

Now, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’ 

That means we’re now duty bound to go out and share the LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to  know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…a Christian not dressed in their spiritual armour…is like a wave of the sea…driven with the wind and tossed…

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