PREACHER
From page A4
Twice (Ephesians 6:11, 13), Paul emphasizes the need for us to have the whole armor of God. When one piece is missing, we are left vulnerable.
First on the list is “having your loins girt about with truth.” In other words, the truth needs engrained into our gut. Jesus Christ is the Word, and both are the truth (John 1:1-3,14; John 14:6; John 17:17). In your everyday life, is following the Scripture your nature, or is the Bible even part of your decisionmaking process? Your answer to that question determines if your loins are girt about with truth.
Next up is the breastplate of righteousness, which covers center mass. In my military and law enforcement training, we were trained to shoot at center mass. Our enemy, Satan, will aim for center mass. He wants to attack your righteousness. When our sin ruins our testimony, more souls end up in hell. We do not lose our salvation, but sin dramatically diminishes our ability to convey the gospel message to the lost. Also, the further we go down the road of sin, the less likely we are to share the gospel. Living a righteous life and recognizing temptation and evil when it arises around us prevents serious spiritual wounds that can have eternal ramifications.
Every soldier needs a good pair of boots; our boots are “the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). It is easy to see if you have your boots on. Are you going around telling people the gospel?
Paul indicates that the next item on the list is the most important. Ephesians 6:16, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
Unlike the breastplate, which is stationary, a shield can be moved to any position a person needs. So, faith can be used to defend attacks from any direction in any circumstance. Every problem in a Christian’s life can be fought off with faith. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God.
Therefore, faith is essential to a successful Christian life.
A word about faith: faith is believing what God says and applying it to life. God’s Word never tells us that God will have us win the lottery, but it does tell us that we will not be tempted with more than we can bear. Therefore, when temptation comes around, by faith we know that God has already determined we are strong enough to say “no” to whatever the temptation may be. Because of this a Christian has no excuse to sin (1 Corinthians 10:13).
The Helmet of Salvation is next on the list. This piece of armor is salvation itself. Without salvation, the Great Quartermaster will not issue the other things on the list. With respect to salvation as a helmet, a helmet protects against the death blow. We cannot lose our salvation.
The last item mentioned is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Please note that the sword is the only offensive weapon in God’s armor but the most powerful. Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing assunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
The Word of God has the power to change someone’s life and eternity. It can change the world. Do you carry God’s sword throughout the day? Do you use it to make decisions, determine how you raise your children, handle your finances, and interact within your relationships and every other aspect of life? Do you carry the sword, or does it sit on the shelf gathering dust?
The answer to that question will show if you wear any of God’s armor.
Preacher Johnson is the Pastor of Countryside Baptist Church in Parke County Indiana. Website: www. preacherspoint. com; Email him at preacherspoint@ gmail. com.
