The above flower and fruit (the ball) are on the Cannonball Tree; a tree with its own weapon ! When the cannonballs fall to the ground (or on your head!) they burst open and emit a foul odor. You might say this is a tree with its own armor.
Christians have armor for their use as well. The armor of God, that is. In last weekend's post I dealt with the subject of strength: how to be strong. This weekend we will discuss how the armor of God can make you strong and can protect you in this spiritual battle we find ourselves in every day. Following are verses from Ephesians 6 that describe this armor of God, which verses most Christians are familiar with but I quote it here for unbelievers or those who are not aware of this passage in the Bible.
"(10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. (11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (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. (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. (14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: " - Ephesians 6:10-17
We cannot win this spiritual battle by our own human effort; we need the Lord's help and His Spirit, and these verses above inform us how to do just that. It is good to take note that, in verse 12, it tells us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood....in other words, we should not lash out at humans that give us a hard time as though they were the real culprits or enemy. The devil is the real enemy and is able to use people to tear us down and persecute us and to make us lose heart.
Also in verse 12, satan and his fallen angels (demons) are referred to as "spiritual wickedness" and "the rulers of the darkness of this world." Though powerful, they are not as powerful as God and the Lord can protect us and help us by means of the armor of God.
Please note also that verses 11 and 13 admonish us to "put on the whole armor of God." Not just a part of it, but all of it. That is the only way we can stand firm and be strong. Ancient soldiers equipped themselves with all of their armor when in battle, and we should do the same with our spiritual armor.
"Having your loins girt about with truth" (verse 14) ; The girdle or sash was always an important part of their dress in war as well as in peace. It was designed to keep every part of the armor in its place, and to gird the soldier on every side. Likewise, believers need the truth of God's Word to keep things in perspective and to help them endure the battle we face with the darkness of evil. In other words, to hold everything else together as only God's Word is able to do.
"Having on the breastplate of righteousness" (verse 14) ; Here Paul is showing that true believers are to put on righteousness to protect their hearts as a soldier puts on a breastplate to protect himself. This righteousness includes integrity, holiness, purity of life, and sincere piety.
"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" (verse 15); A peaceful and benevolent attitude which is an essential part of the Christian character. This, like the boots worn by soldiers, will keep you from being harmed by the many difficulties and trials which, like sharp-pointed thorns, may lie in your way and thereby obstruct your progress.
"The shield of faith" (verse 16) The apostle alludes to the great oblong shield which covers the whole body. As faith is the grace by which all others are preserved and rendered active, so faith is properly represented here by a shield by which the whole body is covered and protected. True faith can quench any dart of the devil.
"The helmet of salvation" (verse 17). This protects one's understanding from being darkened and confused by any temptations of the evil one. It also protects from any subtle views of the ungodly.
"The sword of the Spirit." The Word of God; the Holy Scriptures. It comes from the Holy Spirit, and receives its fulfillment in the soul through the workings of the Holy Spirit. The ability to quote God's Holy Word, especially in times of temptation and trials, can cut in pieces (like a sword) the snares of the adversary and his demons.
Ephesians 1:19 tells us: "And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power."
In other words, God gives us the strength to help us to resist the devil. As stated previously, we are in a war; a spiritual warfare against the wicked forces of darkness. This is particularly true of Christians who are living godly lives and sharing the Gospel. The devil strikes at them especially hard, to bring them down, because he already has the ungodly...the world in general...in his grasp.
So put on the armor that God provides. The Lord will protect you and help you to endure.
"Do not strive in your own strength; cast yourself at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and wait upon Him in the sure confidence that He is with you, and works in you. Strive in prayer; let faith fill your heart - so will you be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." - Andrew Murray
We should not overlook what Ephesians 6:18 tells us, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
Prayer gives you strength from the Lord. It just simply makes all things better to pray. When you pray and read your Bible daily, you draw ever closer to the Lord, and that alone gives you victory over temptation and discouragement. When you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, strength and mind, you will live more and more in His presence and grow stronger every day.
"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." - 1 Corinthians 16:13
"(10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. (11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (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. (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. (14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: " - Ephesians 6:10-17
We cannot win this spiritual battle by our own human effort; we need the Lord's help and His Spirit, and these verses above inform us how to do just that. It is good to take note that, in verse 12, it tells us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood....in other words, we should not lash out at humans that give us a hard time as though they were the real culprits or enemy. The devil is the real enemy and is able to use people to tear us down and persecute us and to make us lose heart.
Also in verse 12, satan and his fallen angels (demons) are referred to as "spiritual wickedness" and "the rulers of the darkness of this world." Though powerful, they are not as powerful as God and the Lord can protect us and help us by means of the armor of God.
Please note also that verses 11 and 13 admonish us to "put on the whole armor of God." Not just a part of it, but all of it. That is the only way we can stand firm and be strong. Ancient soldiers equipped themselves with all of their armor when in battle, and we should do the same with our spiritual armor.
"Having your loins girt about with truth" (verse 14) ; The girdle or sash was always an important part of their dress in war as well as in peace. It was designed to keep every part of the armor in its place, and to gird the soldier on every side. Likewise, believers need the truth of God's Word to keep things in perspective and to help them endure the battle we face with the darkness of evil. In other words, to hold everything else together as only God's Word is able to do.
"Having on the breastplate of righteousness" (verse 14) ; Here Paul is showing that true believers are to put on righteousness to protect their hearts as a soldier puts on a breastplate to protect himself. This righteousness includes integrity, holiness, purity of life, and sincere piety.
"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" (verse 15); A peaceful and benevolent attitude which is an essential part of the Christian character. This, like the boots worn by soldiers, will keep you from being harmed by the many difficulties and trials which, like sharp-pointed thorns, may lie in your way and thereby obstruct your progress.
"The shield of faith" (verse 16) The apostle alludes to the great oblong shield which covers the whole body. As faith is the grace by which all others are preserved and rendered active, so faith is properly represented here by a shield by which the whole body is covered and protected. True faith can quench any dart of the devil.
"The helmet of salvation" (verse 17). This protects one's understanding from being darkened and confused by any temptations of the evil one. It also protects from any subtle views of the ungodly.
"The sword of the Spirit." The Word of God; the Holy Scriptures. It comes from the Holy Spirit, and receives its fulfillment in the soul through the workings of the Holy Spirit. The ability to quote God's Holy Word, especially in times of temptation and trials, can cut in pieces (like a sword) the snares of the adversary and his demons.
In other words, God gives us the strength to help us to resist the devil. As stated previously, we are in a war; a spiritual warfare against the wicked forces of darkness. This is particularly true of Christians who are living godly lives and sharing the Gospel. The devil strikes at them especially hard, to bring them down, because he already has the ungodly...the world in general...in his grasp.
So put on the armor that God provides. The Lord will protect you and help you to endure.
"Do not strive in your own strength; cast yourself at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and wait upon Him in the sure confidence that He is with you, and works in you. Strive in prayer; let faith fill your heart - so will you be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." - Andrew Murray
We should not overlook what Ephesians 6:18 tells us, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
Prayer gives you strength from the Lord. It just simply makes all things better to pray. When you pray and read your Bible daily, you draw ever closer to the Lord, and that alone gives you victory over temptation and discouragement. When you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, strength and mind, you will live more and more in His presence and grow stronger every day.
"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." - 1 Corinthians 16:13
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