The Armour of God.

topher694 · Feb 27, 2020

Carl Emerson said:
OK now a question remains.

If we have the attributes built into our character relating to the parts of the armour, why do we still have a need to 'put on' ???

"put on" is analogous to "walk in"
It's not enough to know what God love is or looks like we need to "walk in love", or live a life that demonstrates love.

It is similar with putting the armor on. It's not enough to just know that you are saved, we must guard our mind with our salvation... That's putting it on.

timothyu · Feb 27, 2020

topher694 said:
we must guard our mind with our salvation..

Isn't that why Jesus said He was sending the HS, to keep us on the path of the Kingdom, to keep us from falling back onto the path of the world made in man's image?

Blade · Feb 27, 2020

"Could it be that these are faith actions."

Carl Emerson · Feb 27, 2020

bmjackson said:
Because they are not built into our character, they belong to Christ and His righteousness.

Is His righteousness not something we have from conversion?

Why then do we need to 'put it on'

topher694 · Feb 27, 2020

timothyu said:
Isn't that why Jesus said He was sending the HS, to keep us on the path of the Kingdom, to keep us from falling back onto the path of the world made in man's image?

Sure. Since the Holy Spirit IS God, we could just as easily call it, "The Armor of the Holy Spirit"

topher694 · Feb 27, 2020

Carl Emerson said:
Is His righteousness not something we have from conversion?

Why then do we need to 'put it on'

Well, without going down a rabbit trail there are 2 types of righteousness, positional righteousness (which is what you mentioned) and functional righteousness (walking it out). Together the form the front and back of the breastplate, which was made of 2 pieces strapped together.

Regardless, what good is either form if one doesn't believe it applies to them? (many possible reasons for this, for example, shame) Hence... Put it on... Renew your mind to the elements that make up the armor... That type of thing.

timothyu · Feb 27, 2020

topher694 said:
Sure. Since the Holy Spirit IS God, we could just as easily call it, "The Armor of the Holy Spirit"

We are to chose between the world man has made in our own self serving image or the Kingdom. Which do you suppose serves the will of the Father? Which shall we follow in this world?

James Vanetten · Feb 27, 2020

Hi please look at my photos I sent and zoom in on the being on top of the 10 foot high storage unit. When I took this photo the being was invisable and it only showed up in my photo this is why I believe it is my guardian angel look it is about the same size body as a human very skinny and pitch black in color it is wearing a helmet a breast plate and a face mask riding in a scooter it has an antenna on top if the helmet this was invisable I only felt the presence of someone watching me it was 3am in venice florida at big jim storage email me if you are interested and would like to talk at paradisejimm7@gmail.com thank you I am confused about my photo does any one know what it is if it's an angel or a cloked alien. Wright me

GaveMeJoy · Feb 27, 2020

Aussie Pete said:
A simple declaration daily is my take on it. I declare Lord Jesus to be my helmet of salvation, He is my Breastplate of Righteousness, He is my belt of Truth and so on. We are told to put on Christ, so it is covered by that instruction also. Nothing in the Christian life is automatic. It is not hard, but it still needs to be done. Each day is complete in itself (that is a really interesting study) so I refresh the armour daily.

Do you say this out loud or in your mind, and do you say it in prayer or as reading from the word, and do you notice a difference in your spiritual strength and ability to fight temptations and maintain the joy of the Lord? I’m interested in starting to do this

dqhall · Feb 27, 2020

Carl Emerson said:
Friends,

I have long wondered about the directives in the NT to "Put on....

Put on the whole armour of God.

Put on peace that comes from the good news

Put on a heart of compassion

Could it be that these are faith actions.

Like taking the bread and the wine - as a faith action we partake of His body and blood.

Like kneeling before the Cross and leaving ones burdens there.

In all these cases do we not realise a spiritual reality by faith ???

If this is the case then should we not by faith put on the helmet of salvation to establish its presence as a spiritual reality?

Likewise the belt of truth etc.

I have never felt comfortable about the attempts made to describe what the armour of God means - what I do do is PUT IT ON when in a battle.

There is however a danger of crossing over into 'magic' unless we are under His directive to so act.

Comments greatly appreciated.

A thought occurred to me. Kneeling at the cross and praying is easier than picking up your cross and following Jesus (Matthew 10:38). Peter followed this command to pick up his cross and follow Jesus. In 325 AD Eusebius wrote a church history stating Peter was crucified. Eusebius served Constantine as an advisor.

I can not take the suggestion to put on the whole armor of God literally, else I would wear body armor. My neighborhood is currently not violent. From experience I know God may watch my back and deliver me from the plans of my enemies. This does not mean I have never been hurt, but it does mean I can remember instances of deliverance.

Micah 4:3 (WEB) ...They will beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not lift up sword against nation,
neither will they learn war any more.

topher694 · Feb 27, 2020

timothyu said:
We are to chose between the world man has made in our own self serving image or the Kingdom. Which do you suppose serves the will of the Father? Which shall we follow in this world?

What are you getting at? I fail to see what this has to do with the armor of God.

James Vanetten · Feb 28, 2020

If I am physically atact by a person how as a christian supposed to respond should I fight back and possibly hurt the perpetrator or do I try to walk or run away. Personally i am not a fighter i prefer not to get physical with anyone i believe all disagreements can be worked out with giving and cimpromising

bmjackson · Feb 28, 2020

Carl Emerson said:
Is His righteousness not something we have from conversion?

Why then do we need to 'put it on'

We do receive everything at conversion agreed, however, it is our legal standing and not yet applied and in our experience. His righteousness is ours when we put on or apply the armour so that they are our reality and not just in name only. The breastplate of righteousness is not something that is given at conversion, otherwise the instruction makes no sense.

Why put on something that is given without our co operation?

Besides, we must firstly learn that the armour is needed through battles with the enemy and we have not gained that knowledge as fledglings.

Carl Emerson · Feb 28, 2020

bmjackson said:
We do receive everything at conversion agreed, however, it is our legal standing and not yet applied and in our experience. His righteousness is ours when we put on or apply the armour so that they are our reality and not just in name only. The breastplate of righteousness is not something that is given at conversion, otherwise the instruction makes no sense.

Why put on something that is given without our co operation?

Besides, we must firstly learn that the armour is needed through battles with the enemy and we have not gained that knowledge as fledglings.

OK then if we are putting it on as a 'faith action' it makes it rather like a sacrament - you obey a symbolic act and He responds...

Is this what you mean???

bmjackson · Feb 28, 2020

Carl Emerson said:
OK then if we are putting it on as a 'faith action' it makes it rather like a sacrament - you obey a symbolic act and He responds...

Is this what you mean???

I believe that more is rrequired than that. This is where Romans 6:11 comes in. The reckoning that we are crucified with Christ and dead to sin. Wherever sin dwells, the enemy has a foothold. A turning away is required and deep repentance. However, a work of God is required for us to see just how we have betrayed Him, just like the disciples. A time of seeking is required.

Carl Emerson · Feb 28, 2020

bmjackson said:
I believe that more is rrequired than that. This is where Romans 6:11 comes in. The reckoning that we are crucified with Christ and dead to sin. Wherever sin dwells, the enemy has a foothold. A turning away is required and deep repentance. However, a work of God is required for us to see just how we have betrayed Him, just like the disciples. A time of seeking is required.

But we are not talking about conversion or a believer that has strayed. We are simply talking about His servant putting on the armour of God...

bmjackson · Feb 28, 2020

Carl Emerson said:
But we are not talking about conversion or a believer that has strayed. We are simply talking about His servant putting on the armour of God...

We are talking about a believer who has not, up till then, put on the armour of God. Most have not and the proof of this can be seen in whether they are dead to sin or not. I think most will think that all that is required, is to assent to it mentally. This is the position that I held myself until the Lord graciously revealed to me that a chink in the armour leaves us open to attack and that this further work is required that puts the armour in place completely and effectively.

faroukfarouk · Feb 28, 2020

Carl Emerson said:
OK now a question remains.

If we have the attributes built into our character relating to the parts of the armour, why do we still have a need to 'put on' ???

It's to do with the believer's daily walk; Romans 8 has a lot to say about that.

JacksBratt · Feb 28, 2020

Carl Emerson said:
Friends,

I have long wondered about the directives in the NT to "Put on....

Put on the whole armour of God.

Put on peace that comes from the good news

Put on a heart of compassion

Could it be that these are faith actions.

Like taking the bread and the wine - as a faith action we partake of His body and blood.

Like kneeling before the Cross and leaving ones burdens there.

In all these cases do we not realise a spiritual reality by faith ???

If this is the case then should we not by faith put on the helmet of salvation to establish its presence as a spiritual reality?

Likewise the belt of truth etc.

I have never felt comfortable about the attempts made to describe what the armour of God means - what I do do is PUT IT ON when in a battle.

There is however a danger of crossing over into 'magic' unless we are under His directive to so act.

Comments greatly appreciated.

I think, basically, if you do what is stated when "putting on the armor" you will be well prepared in this corrupt world.

Doing these things make you a stronger, more mature Christian and you walk closer with Christ.

Bruce Leiter · Feb 28, 2020

Carl Emerson said:
OK now a question remains.

If we have the attributes built into our character relating to the parts of the armour, why do we still have a need to 'put on' ???

Look at Ephesians 1-3. Paul gives us the "already" of the gospel. He has chosen us before creation (chapter 1), given us the new birth and faith by grace (2:1-9), made us his unfinished canvas which he is making into a beautiful painting or sculpture (2:10), made us a diverse, unified church (2:11-the end), a growing (spiritually and numerically (church) through our leaders by the 3-in-1 God's power (3).

Then, Paul gives us commands that show the "not-yet" of the gospel (Ephesians 4-6). Your passage calls us to keep dressing for battle in the warfare against the devil and his followers, including the use of his Word the Bible and prayer (6:18-20).

To God as our just Judge, he has "already" provided us with the tools of warfare, but we have "not yet" fully implemented them fully to be God's warrior in his war against Satan.

The Armour of God.

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