Let's clear something up. Paul did not invent the Armor of God. That’s a solid Sunday school version.
It’s charming.
It’s memorable.
But it’s wrong.
The Armor of God is literally that. God’s armor. He wore it first. Long before He ever presented it to us.
What you shared about the armor of God is such a powerful reminder that the Christian life is not passive but a spiritual battle that requires us to be equipped daily with what God provides.Ephesians 6:11 says put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil showing that this armor is not optional but necessary for every believer.It is not our strength that sustains us but His, which is why Ephesians 6:13 tells us to take up the whole armor so that we can stand firm in the evil day and remain standing after everything.The beauty of this passage is that each piece points us back to Christ Himself, the belt of truth reminds us to live in God’s truth John 17:17 says Your word is truth, the breastplate of righteousness reflects the righteousness we receive through Him 2 Corinthians 5:21, the gospel of peace gives us stability and readiness Romans 5:1 says we have peace with God through Jesus Christ.The shield of faith protects us from the attacks and doubts that come our way Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the helmet of salvation guards our minds 1 Thessalonians 5:8 speaks of the hope of salvation as our protection, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Hebrews 4:12 says the Word is living and active sharper than any two edged sword.But it does not end with the armor because Ephesians 6:18 calls us to pray in the Spirit at all times showing that prayer is what activates and sustains everything.What stands out is that we are not called to fight for victory but from victory because Christ has already overcome as John 16:33 says take heart I have overcome the world.So each day we put on this armor by walking in truth living in righteousness holding onto faith and staying rooted in His Word and prayer.In the end this is a call to remain alert grounded and dependent on God knowing that He is our strength and our defense.May we stand firm clothed in His armor and walk in the victory He has already given us.
Your teaching on the armor of God was spot on! What seminary did you go to? I'm guessing it was the seminary of hard knocks. Your articles have so many insights, that either counter nominal chritianity ( small "c" ), or surpass it, that we can discern that your gift of teaching is definitely ordained by God Himself, by means of The Holy Spirit. A long time ago, I read a book that posited "that putting on the armor of God is equivalent to putting on the LORD Jesus Christ". That is the 1-sentence Facebook version, but I prefer reading your much longer version, and it also proves that you are not alone, but rather 7,000 other teachers are part of the remnant of God's people in these last days.
I've never had any formal religious training. Everything I know is from reading Scripture and commentaries and sharpening my ideas on the iron of other believers and through the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for your kind words. That's very humbling.
What you shared about the armor of God is such a powerful reminder that the Christian life is not passive but a spiritual battle that requires us to be equipped daily with what God provides.Ephesians 6:11 says put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil showing that this armor is not optional but necessary for every believer.It is not our strength that sustains us but His, which is why Ephesians 6:13 tells us to take up the whole armor so that we can stand firm in the evil day and remain standing after everything.The beauty of this passage is that each piece points us back to Christ Himself, the belt of truth reminds us to live in God’s truth John 17:17 says Your word is truth, the breastplate of righteousness reflects the righteousness we receive through Him 2 Corinthians 5:21, the gospel of peace gives us stability and readiness Romans 5:1 says we have peace with God through Jesus Christ.The shield of faith protects us from the attacks and doubts that come our way Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the helmet of salvation guards our minds 1 Thessalonians 5:8 speaks of the hope of salvation as our protection, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Hebrews 4:12 says the Word is living and active sharper than any two edged sword.But it does not end with the armor because Ephesians 6:18 calls us to pray in the Spirit at all times showing that prayer is what activates and sustains everything.What stands out is that we are not called to fight for victory but from victory because Christ has already overcome as John 16:33 says take heart I have overcome the world.So each day we put on this armor by walking in truth living in righteousness holding onto faith and staying rooted in His Word and prayer.In the end this is a call to remain alert grounded and dependent on God knowing that He is our strength and our defense.May we stand firm clothed in His armor and walk in the victory He has already given us.
You made some great points here. You're spot on with salvation being both completed and ongoing.
WOW brother ya really swatted this one out of the park! Yah bless you🙏🏻❤️
Thank you, I really appreciate that.
Your teaching on the armor of God was spot on! What seminary did you go to? I'm guessing it was the seminary of hard knocks. Your articles have so many insights, that either counter nominal chritianity ( small "c" ), or surpass it, that we can discern that your gift of teaching is definitely ordained by God Himself, by means of The Holy Spirit. A long time ago, I read a book that posited "that putting on the armor of God is equivalent to putting on the LORD Jesus Christ". That is the 1-sentence Facebook version, but I prefer reading your much longer version, and it also proves that you are not alone, but rather 7,000 other teachers are part of the remnant of God's people in these last days.
You got it!
I've never had any formal religious training. Everything I know is from reading Scripture and commentaries and sharpening my ideas on the iron of other believers and through the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for your kind words. That's very humbling.
God bless you.