Whole Armor Study 4

Putting on the Whole Armour of God
The soldier wakes up in his tent on a cold morning, he lies there for a moment and thinks of how he must face a phalanx of razor-sharp spears thrusting and jabbing at his vitals today.  He must endure foot-to-foot, hand-to-hand, breath-to-breath hacking, stabbing, and bloody wrestling in the midst of howls and moans of battle all the daylong.  He prays fervently to God for help, and then trembling, the soldier rises up and begins to get dressed.

First, he takes his leather war belt (girtle) to which is attached his sword and cinches it tightly about him, drawing his sword close for battle and tucking in his tunic for mobility.  His war belt is sweat through and salt-stained and bloodstained but comfortable to wear.  It holds everything comfortable in place.  He is girt tight with God’s word, his whole person is bound in truth, so that his character and life exude truth.  He has “truth in the inward parts” (Psa 51:6).  He is armed with a good conscience (I Tim 1:19).  With truth holding his life together within and without, he can confidently face any spiritual enemy.  Truth permeates his life and reigns within.

Second, he reaches, still trembling, for his metal battle-tarnished breastplate, shaped to protect his chest and abdomen, his vital organs. His breastplate is crisscrossed with grooves from slicing sword blows and dented from enemy javelins and battle-axes.  A comrade helps him cinch it in place.  This is righteousness which first comes from God through faith in Christ’s blood – imputed righteousness (Phil 3:9).  As this righteousness is properly worn in humility, it produces holy living.  He is outwardly covered and inwardly infused with righteousness; the warrior’s heart is resistant to the attacks of the enemy.  God’s righteousness protects his life.  He cannot die in battle.  His righteous life (integrity) allows him fearlessly to face the foe.

Third, the soldier bends over and begins to lace the straps of his nail-studded legionnaire boots to his ankles and scarred shins.  His feet will be secure as he stands his ground in battle.  He will not slip and will not retreat.  The boots are peace with God (Rom 5:1) and the peace of God (John 14:27). He does not have the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  He was the enemy of God, but now there is peace through Christ’s blood, and a sense of God’s forgiveness, fellowship, and help.  He is rooted, stablished, grounded, settled in the grace and peace of God.  The Christian soldier faces all onslaughts, never stepping back.  Under the fiercest spiritual attacks, he feeds on God’s peace, and drinks from Christ’s presence, leans on the Spirit’s power.  He digs in for the long battle ahead. How beautiful are the feet of them which preach the gospel of peace.

Fourth, after tying the last boot thong, he picks up his great oblong shield, which he will use to deflect the enemies’ barrages of fiery darts.  The scrapes and charred holes reveal him to be the victor of many fierce battles.  The shield is faith in God and His word.  Through faith, the good soldier binds himself close to the heart, will, and purpose of God.  And when those burning darts of doubt come flying toward him, up goes his shield of faith, into which they harmlessly thud.  (I John 5:4).  His shield has caught and quenched many fiery darts of doubt, worry, lust, and covetousness.  He repeatedly believes God’s word in every trial.  Truth, righteousness, peace, faith are his armament.

Fifth, he reaches for his helmet, slips it over his head and fastens the chin strap, and adjust it comfortably to his head.  He rests in God’s salvation, it will protect him in the worst battle no matter what. Great dents and chips mar his helmet, reminding of the blow he has taken in the past when he dealt with the enemy.  He has confidence in knowing that he is saved by God’s grace, will be saved, and God’s grace has allowed him to stand tall against the most vicious assaults in the past.

Sixth, he takes up his sword and scabbard and straps attaches it to his war belt.  This is his offensive weapon, it will cut though everything – armor, flesh, glistening bone, to the marrow – even the soul and spirit.

Seventh, he remembers he cannot do anything without God’s help and aid.  He kneels in the tent and cries out to God for mercy and grace to help in time of need.  He needs boldness and wisdom in the heat of the battle he will face today.  He prays for his fellow soldier that God will help them.  He looks into His war manual and seeks guidance from his general.  He needs to follow his guidance in order to win.  He goes over his war plan, he readies himself.  He takes time to rethink his priorities and takes time for prayer.  He makes new resolve to fight on and win for his king.  He chooses a promise from God to help keep him loyal all day in battle.

He rises from prayer, he readies himself, he adjusts his war belt again.  His heart is pounding out of his chest under his breastplate so that it almost rings.  He scuffs at the earth like a football player with his nail-studded boots, testing his traction.  He repeatedly draws his great shield across his body in anticipation of the fiery darts to come.  He remembers God’s word and His presence.  He reaches up and repositions his helmet.  He gingerly tests the edge of His sword with his finger for sharpness.

The enemy approaches.  His shining sword of God rings from its scabbard.  The warrior stands motionless, breathing heavily.  He then remembers again that He needs God so desperately, he falls to his knees in humble, fervent prayer to God; prayer is his primary weapon against the enemy.  He is sure there will be action soon.  He rises and his sword flashes in the sunlight.  The enemy grows closes and closer, and then the steel crashes against steel in awful combat.  Then begins the pounding, wrestling, desperate, life-and-death action with the enemy.