Post by Brother Brown on Oct 19, 2006 18:58:28 GMT -5
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The armor of God is an interesting study. God gives us exactly what we need to go on for Him. First of all though He tells us who we are fighting, and who we are not. We do not struggle against humanity, in fact, if we would remember it is humanity that Jesus died for. Satan would like to switch the focus from himself to our fellow humans. Satan and sin (spiritual wickedness) are what we are to be fighting. Notice, also, that it speaks of principalities... don't forget to vote! God has given us, in this country, the wonderful priviledge to vote for our governmental leaders, let us use this priviledge, or we will lose it. But let us look at these different pieces of Spiritual Armor and see what they are for.
1. Loins girt about with Truth.
Truth is the single most important item upon your Spiritual self. For it is Truth upon which all other pieces are hung. If we have not Truth we have not any other piece of armor. This Truth is the Word of God... Jesus Christ. Upon Truth hangs yous Sword, upon Truth rests the Breastplate. You see if we don't have Truth we don't have anything. This is why what Bible you have is so important. Some would say that no one has a perfect Bible, but the Bible says God is no respector of persons, and if they in the Bible had a perfect Bible, so do I today. Some would say" But they were just men making the copies," Yes, but they were just men writing the originals. Listen I have a perfect God who is the Great I AM, who knew from eternity past that a little boy named Ben Brown, would need a perfect Saviour, who Ben would need to learn about from a perfect Bible. There are no surprises on God. He perfectly wrote the Bible, and knew it had to be perfectly preserved. Look at this Scripture:
Deuteronomy 12:28 Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.
Notice, that it doesn't say observe and hear these thoughts, nor does it say these ideas, it says "WORDS" God perfectly preserves His WORDS for us, and in the English language this is the King James Bible. There are many other proofs, but that will be covered, Lord-willing, in the doctrines section of this forum. Get the right Bible, find the right God in that Bible, and you will find the...
2. The Breastplate of Righteousness.
The breastplate protects the heart, the liver, all of those vital organs. The breastplate of righteousness, is living the way we ought to live. When I am living righteously, those habits which please God, it protects my heart from attack. You see some may say doing right, such as dressing right, going to Church, not having television, not listening to the wrong kind of music, not reading ungodly material, reading the Bible every day, having family devotions, disciplining your children, etc. etc. , they would say that is legalism, but it is not. It is putting on the Breastplate of righteousness. This protects me from Satans attacks. You see if I am busy doing God's work in my life, then I won't have time to go galavanting after Satan's suckers. If my breastplate is bright and shining, it is also, a testimony to a lost and dying world that there has been a change in me. God moved in and changed my habits. I don't smoke anymore, I don't drink anymore, I don't wear the things that pertain to the opposite sex anymore, I don't go partying anymore, I don't have confusion in my life anymore, I have a purpose, I have a plan, I have a destination, I have a Saviour! Shine your breastplate up and show a lost and dying world that Jesus does make a difference!
3. Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
You won't go far in the Christian battle if you don't have the right pair of shoes. This battlefield is covered with slippery places that Satan loves to push us to backslide. If you have the shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of Peace you cannot backslide. You see if I am always ready and willing to share the wonderful gift of Salvation, and do it, then I am going forward, but if I am scared or embarassed about it then Satan has a toe-hold in my life and other things can creep in. Look at this verse:
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
God has given us this spirit of power, so we won't be afraid, of love, so we will care enough for our fellow humans to tell them of Jesus, and of a sound mind, so we will not be turned aside by Satan's distractions. You see these shoe are cleats, so we can dig in and move forward. Let us "Like a mighty army move the Church of God."
4. The Shield of Faith.
We must have a "mobile" piece of armor, for Satan doesn't always attack in the same place, he will look for an opening and fire those darts. So, we must have a shield that we can use to protect ourselves, God gives us the shield of Faith. God has given every man enough faith for every situation that man will go through, look at these two verses:
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not 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.
This faith is not in something, but in someone, Jesus Christ, knowing that:
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
So, use the shield when Satan hurles darts of doubts and fears, and having done all, stand.
5. The Helmet of Salvation.
The helmet protects the decision maker of the mind. Do you ever wonder why God has this as the last defensive piece of equipment? Our mind, in this age of science and logic, is the target for agnosticism and athieism. Satan will try and get you to doubt your salvation by getting you to question the Bible, and the facts found there in. Take the Bible for what it says, The Bible says that God created the earth in six literal days. Some would try to justify evolution by saying these days were actually millions of years. Satan will attack your mind. We need to protect this mind with the helmet of Salvation. God tells us to study:
2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
We need to keep our minds clean with the "washing of the water of by Word." We need our minds to be ready
1Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
We need to excersize our minds, give them a good work out:
Phi 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
This verse does not say work for, but work out, excersize your minds to be ready at anytime. The greatest commandment:
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Let's make sure our minds are 100% God's.
6. The Sword of the Spirit
Our one offensive weapon listed here is this sword. It is the Word of God. The Bible! The Bible is the Word of God. The Word of God is True! Our belt and our sword are made from the same thing. We as Christians have the wonderful priviledge of sharing the Gospel with a lost and dying world. The difference between the armies of the world and the army of God is the armies of the world take dead swords put them in live men and make them dead, we take a living sword put Him in dead men and make them live! This is why our minds must be guarded so as to speak the word clearly. This is why we must have the shield of faith to keep Satan's darts from givng doubts, and so our faith shows. This is why our feet must be shod with being prepared to give the Gospel of Peace, there is no peace outside of God. This is why we must keep our breastplate bright so our testimony shines through. This is why we must be girt about with Truth, to show the Truth!
There is a lost and dying world out there and we are the only ones with the answer. Is your family saved? Do you have the answer? IS that neighbor saved? Do you have a testimony that would bring him to ask? God wants you to put on the whole armor of God!
I can see the streets of Heaven, filled with all the blood-washed throng.
I can hear their sweet rejoicing as each convert came along.
And I feel a wondrous thrill to know that I have played a part,
ForI’ve often done the work that is so close to Jesus heart.
At the doorstop, on the sidewalk, in the homes and on the street,
In the restaurant, on the plane, in winter’s cold and summer’s heat.
I’ve had the blessed priviledge to lift up my Savior’s name,
And I’ve seen so many trust Him and His free Salvation claim.
There’s a man I won in Texas, There’s a guy from Tennessee,
And the maid who in Chicago found Salvation full and free.
There’s the waitress, who in Portland,Maine I gave Salvation’s plan,
And my seat-mate on the airplane and the filling station man.
What a blessing to tell others that from sin they can be free,
That they can become God’s children, live with Him eternally.
When you stand before the Savior will your heart with joy be glad?
Will you hear Him say, “Well done my child you used each chance you
had.”
Or will there be tears upon your face His hand must wipe away
As with grief you ponder all the folks you failed to show His way.
There’s the man you live next door to, there’s the friend you have at work,
There’s the man you bought your car from, and the J.C. Penney clerk.
There’s your Father and your Mother, your flesh and blood how can it be?
That you’ve failed to tell your loved ones of the Christ of Calvary.
There’s the girl who served your coffee, there’s the boy who cuts your grass,
There’s the man you never spoke too, for you thought him crude and crass.
There’s the barber and the baker, the insurance agent too,
d**ned and doomed to Hell forever, and the blame must rest on you.
God provided their Salvation, Jesus shed His precious Blood,
Holy Spirit power was ready to come on you like a flood.
But you never took the time to speak to them of Jesus name,
And you stand before the Bema filled with guilt, and grief and shame.
Why not share Christ’s Gospel with the world He died to save,
Why not tell them Jesus bled, and died, and rose up from the grave.
Start today to share Salvation with each soul you chance to meet,
Start today to give a dying world His message pure, and sweet.
Tell your neighbor, and your doctor, and your loved ones tell them all,
That the Lord will save their soul if only on His name they’ll call.
And in Heaven when that blood washed throng pours down the golden street
You’ll rejoice forever o’er the souls you brought to Jesus’ feet.
God help us to be Christian soldiers, soul-winners, help us to be faithful.
In Christ,
Brother Brown
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The armor of God is an interesting study. God gives us exactly what we need to go on for Him. First of all though He tells us who we are fighting, and who we are not. We do not struggle against humanity, in fact, if we would remember it is humanity that Jesus died for. Satan would like to switch the focus from himself to our fellow humans. Satan and sin (spiritual wickedness) are what we are to be fighting. Notice, also, that it speaks of principalities... don't forget to vote! God has given us, in this country, the wonderful priviledge to vote for our governmental leaders, let us use this priviledge, or we will lose it. But let us look at these different pieces of Spiritual Armor and see what they are for.
1. Loins girt about with Truth.
Truth is the single most important item upon your Spiritual self. For it is Truth upon which all other pieces are hung. If we have not Truth we have not any other piece of armor. This Truth is the Word of God... Jesus Christ. Upon Truth hangs yous Sword, upon Truth rests the Breastplate. You see if we don't have Truth we don't have anything. This is why what Bible you have is so important. Some would say that no one has a perfect Bible, but the Bible says God is no respector of persons, and if they in the Bible had a perfect Bible, so do I today. Some would say" But they were just men making the copies," Yes, but they were just men writing the originals. Listen I have a perfect God who is the Great I AM, who knew from eternity past that a little boy named Ben Brown, would need a perfect Saviour, who Ben would need to learn about from a perfect Bible. There are no surprises on God. He perfectly wrote the Bible, and knew it had to be perfectly preserved. Look at this Scripture:
Deuteronomy 12:28 Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.
Notice, that it doesn't say observe and hear these thoughts, nor does it say these ideas, it says "WORDS" God perfectly preserves His WORDS for us, and in the English language this is the King James Bible. There are many other proofs, but that will be covered, Lord-willing, in the doctrines section of this forum. Get the right Bible, find the right God in that Bible, and you will find the...
2. The Breastplate of Righteousness.
The breastplate protects the heart, the liver, all of those vital organs. The breastplate of righteousness, is living the way we ought to live. When I am living righteously, those habits which please God, it protects my heart from attack. You see some may say doing right, such as dressing right, going to Church, not having television, not listening to the wrong kind of music, not reading ungodly material, reading the Bible every day, having family devotions, disciplining your children, etc. etc. , they would say that is legalism, but it is not. It is putting on the Breastplate of righteousness. This protects me from Satans attacks. You see if I am busy doing God's work in my life, then I won't have time to go galavanting after Satan's suckers. If my breastplate is bright and shining, it is also, a testimony to a lost and dying world that there has been a change in me. God moved in and changed my habits. I don't smoke anymore, I don't drink anymore, I don't wear the things that pertain to the opposite sex anymore, I don't go partying anymore, I don't have confusion in my life anymore, I have a purpose, I have a plan, I have a destination, I have a Saviour! Shine your breastplate up and show a lost and dying world that Jesus does make a difference!
3. Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
You won't go far in the Christian battle if you don't have the right pair of shoes. This battlefield is covered with slippery places that Satan loves to push us to backslide. If you have the shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of Peace you cannot backslide. You see if I am always ready and willing to share the wonderful gift of Salvation, and do it, then I am going forward, but if I am scared or embarassed about it then Satan has a toe-hold in my life and other things can creep in. Look at this verse:
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
God has given us this spirit of power, so we won't be afraid, of love, so we will care enough for our fellow humans to tell them of Jesus, and of a sound mind, so we will not be turned aside by Satan's distractions. You see these shoe are cleats, so we can dig in and move forward. Let us "Like a mighty army move the Church of God."
4. The Shield of Faith.
We must have a "mobile" piece of armor, for Satan doesn't always attack in the same place, he will look for an opening and fire those darts. So, we must have a shield that we can use to protect ourselves, God gives us the shield of Faith. God has given every man enough faith for every situation that man will go through, look at these two verses:
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not 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.
This faith is not in something, but in someone, Jesus Christ, knowing that:
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
So, use the shield when Satan hurles darts of doubts and fears, and having done all, stand.
5. The Helmet of Salvation.
The helmet protects the decision maker of the mind. Do you ever wonder why God has this as the last defensive piece of equipment? Our mind, in this age of science and logic, is the target for agnosticism and athieism. Satan will try and get you to doubt your salvation by getting you to question the Bible, and the facts found there in. Take the Bible for what it says, The Bible says that God created the earth in six literal days. Some would try to justify evolution by saying these days were actually millions of years. Satan will attack your mind. We need to protect this mind with the helmet of Salvation. God tells us to study:
2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
We need to keep our minds clean with the "washing of the water of by Word." We need our minds to be ready
1Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
We need to excersize our minds, give them a good work out:
Phi 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
This verse does not say work for, but work out, excersize your minds to be ready at anytime. The greatest commandment:
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Let's make sure our minds are 100% God's.
6. The Sword of the Spirit
Our one offensive weapon listed here is this sword. It is the Word of God. The Bible! The Bible is the Word of God. The Word of God is True! Our belt and our sword are made from the same thing. We as Christians have the wonderful priviledge of sharing the Gospel with a lost and dying world. The difference between the armies of the world and the army of God is the armies of the world take dead swords put them in live men and make them dead, we take a living sword put Him in dead men and make them live! This is why our minds must be guarded so as to speak the word clearly. This is why we must have the shield of faith to keep Satan's darts from givng doubts, and so our faith shows. This is why our feet must be shod with being prepared to give the Gospel of Peace, there is no peace outside of God. This is why we must keep our breastplate bright so our testimony shines through. This is why we must be girt about with Truth, to show the Truth!
There is a lost and dying world out there and we are the only ones with the answer. Is your family saved? Do you have the answer? IS that neighbor saved? Do you have a testimony that would bring him to ask? God wants you to put on the whole armor of God!
I can see the streets of Heaven, filled with all the blood-washed throng.
I can hear their sweet rejoicing as each convert came along.
And I feel a wondrous thrill to know that I have played a part,
ForI’ve often done the work that is so close to Jesus heart.
At the doorstop, on the sidewalk, in the homes and on the street,
In the restaurant, on the plane, in winter’s cold and summer’s heat.
I’ve had the blessed priviledge to lift up my Savior’s name,
And I’ve seen so many trust Him and His free Salvation claim.
There’s a man I won in Texas, There’s a guy from Tennessee,
And the maid who in Chicago found Salvation full and free.
There’s the waitress, who in Portland,Maine I gave Salvation’s plan,
And my seat-mate on the airplane and the filling station man.
What a blessing to tell others that from sin they can be free,
That they can become God’s children, live with Him eternally.
When you stand before the Savior will your heart with joy be glad?
Will you hear Him say, “Well done my child you used each chance you
had.”
Or will there be tears upon your face His hand must wipe away
As with grief you ponder all the folks you failed to show His way.
There’s the man you live next door to, there’s the friend you have at work,
There’s the man you bought your car from, and the J.C. Penney clerk.
There’s your Father and your Mother, your flesh and blood how can it be?
That you’ve failed to tell your loved ones of the Christ of Calvary.
There’s the girl who served your coffee, there’s the boy who cuts your grass,
There’s the man you never spoke too, for you thought him crude and crass.
There’s the barber and the baker, the insurance agent too,
d**ned and doomed to Hell forever, and the blame must rest on you.
God provided their Salvation, Jesus shed His precious Blood,
Holy Spirit power was ready to come on you like a flood.
But you never took the time to speak to them of Jesus name,
And you stand before the Bema filled with guilt, and grief and shame.
Why not share Christ’s Gospel with the world He died to save,
Why not tell them Jesus bled, and died, and rose up from the grave.
Start today to share Salvation with each soul you chance to meet,
Start today to give a dying world His message pure, and sweet.
Tell your neighbor, and your doctor, and your loved ones tell them all,
That the Lord will save their soul if only on His name they’ll call.
And in Heaven when that blood washed throng pours down the golden street
You’ll rejoice forever o’er the souls you brought to Jesus’ feet.
God help us to be Christian soldiers, soul-winners, help us to be faithful.
In Christ,
Brother Brown