About to teach a series on the Armor of God.

[Roughsoul1991]

Thank God if we lose faith in God He does not lose faith in us.
Someone I know drafted this not long ago. It will be a blessing if you are able to glean points that will be of use in your talk. And this serves your teaching in future. I pray you have great success in your venture. Do update us please.
The Armor of God

Oh I will. I have gotten a lot of good talking and discussion points.

I have this one verse in my head that just sticks out.

Romans 13:12 New International Version (NIV)
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Not only are we to be the light of the world, we are called children of light and light in general is of God. Christ is the only hope and light of the world. When God said let there be light in Genesis that was before the creation of the stars that provides us with light. So the first light was important in separating the darkness.

Which is exactly what the Armor of God is. It is amazing that for those who got real close to God they directly became radiated and their face or clothes shined like the sun or a flash of lightning. I believe the closer we abide in Christ, our spiritual image looks just the same but grows brighter as we grow closer.

This all relates to not quenching the Spirit in which the Spirit is often related to a fire within.

So in this concept I thought of a visual example.

First is to turn off the lights.
Starting with a larger candle, I light it to represent Christ. And show the glow disperses all darkness and every shadow that represents evil forces must flee and hide.

Then a tea cup candle. Very small in comparison. As it gets close to the main light, it also catches the flame. This is the individual.

Then I'll use a glass cup to represent the world and its forces. The cup will begin to cover the tea light candle and as the breath of life and nearness to the source that it gained its light is restricted, choked, or cut off then the flame is quenched and on the verge of dying.

Then I'll use 4 more tea light candles that are aflame and they will move in to hold the glass cup up and thus allowing the first candle to breath.

I'll remove the cup and then point out how the light grew brighter as the individual unites with the church.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Great job! I did not realize there was a back side.....thanks! Keep sharing all you find with us, this is interesting!

Yah I have heard about there not being any type of armor to protect the back but that was typically in the case of earlier Roman Armor and their enemies was mostly untrained tribal fighters but over time and facing different enemies they had to adapt and began to face other empires that had a well trained military.

Kinda ironic that is was eventually the Barbaric Armies that helped conquer Rome due to Romes inability to defend its vastly stretched empire. Spread too thin as they say. And at that time much like our Republic the Roman democracy became more democratic and eventually a dictatorship. In the dictatorship the empire really began to ache and bend at this type of government.

The empire became more in debt and the culture began to grow less spiritual and more selfish as they started to enjoy the riches that the past generations built for them. This brought complacency and apathy.

It was easy for the Emperor to take full control.

This has nothing to do with the Armor of God but just me loving history and the parallels to my country.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

One thing I notice, it says to STAND.
Not run, walk or fight. That’s because the battle is the Lords!

1 Samuel 17:47 NKJV
[47] Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD's, and He will give you into our hands."


People may think standing is passive and not sufficient they may want to take their own action. Take things into their own hands - just like King Saul did when he refused to wait for Samuel. But it takes a lot of effort and character to just stand. It’s not passive at all, it’s waiting on the Lord fully protected and obedient.

Yes I understand your idea but we are called to action and created to do the good works that was predestined for the believers. I believe in a spiritual sense we must not only hold the line but push back using the tools provided us in scripture.

The tools provided not only allows us spiritually to push back but also physically as Spirit led we act on the answers to prayer, we act on the Spirits nudges just as the Spirit acted in the book of Acts, and we act by preaching truth to a lost and dying world.

All of this involves holding the ground but God's will is to win the war. So many action verbs in scripture. That either commands us to act or gives us examples of how believers in the past acted in times of fear, sorrow, pain and against the worldly and spiritual forces.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Have a great study!

Couple points if I may.

Merely possessing the armor does no good unless you put it on and use it. The Sword (Bible) for instance, does no good gathering dust on a night table.

One approach you might want to explore, is how every piece, relates to Jesus Christ. Ie.. He is our Helmet of Salvation, and He is our Breastplate of Righteousness etc...

You can gather Scriptures for each piece relating to Him.

Great image. It does us no good if once given the armor we place it on a stand and it just collects dust and cobwebs.

Then we are open to all sorts of attacks that can damage us spiritually but also consequences of sin can damage or even kill us physically. A very real and important part of the Christian walk is to prepare and be ready for when evil strikes. The tactics are often ambushes so we must be ready on a minutes notice as minutemen and women we must always be ready to run and defend the frontline.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Praying that your teaching is blessed😊

You may want to reflect on the story of David and Goliath. That it doesn't take a seasoned warrior , nor what this world says you will need to succeed. ( As Saul dressed David for battle) but trusting the Lord at his word.
Regardless of the reputation or size of the enemy the Lord is able and will enable those who trust in him.
The most dangerous weapon is the one that is not seen. Although David appeared to be alone that was far from the truth.

Great observation thank you!

 

[Whispered]

Oh I will. I have gotten a lot of good talking and discussion points.

I have this one verse in my head that just sticks out.

Romans 13:12 New International Version (NIV)
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Not only are we to be the light of the world, we are called children of light and light in general is of God. Christ is the only hope and light of the world. When God said let there be light in Genesis that was before the creation of the stars that provides us with light. So the first light was important in separating the darkness.

Which is exactly what the Armor of God is. It is amazing that for those who got real close to God they directly became radiated and their face or clothes shined like the sun or a flash of lightning. I believe the closer we abide in Christ, our spiritual image looks just the same but grows brighter as we grow closer.

This all relates to not quenching the Spirit in which the Spirit is often related to a fire within.

So in this concept I thought of a visual example.

First is to turn off the lights.
Starting with a larger candle, I light it to represent Christ. And show the glow disperses all darkness and every shadow that represents evil forces must flee and hide.

Then a tea cup candle. Very small in comparison. As it gets close to the main light, it also catches the flame. This is the individual.

Then I'll use a glass cup to represent the world and its forces. The cup will begin to cover the tea light candle and as the breath of life and nearness to the source that it gained its light is restricted, choked, or cut off then the flame is quenched and on the verge of dying.

Then I'll use 4 more tea light candles that are aflame and they will move in to hold the glass cup up and thus allowing the first candle to breath.

I'll remove the cup and then point out how the light grew brighter as the individual unites with the church.

Sounds good. Visual teaching helps when there is a narrative that goes with it.
When I was in school, back before cars were invented , they didn't know that there are methods of retention of information related in a teaching cell. I wish they'd have known or practiced this when I was in school. It would have been a lot more fun than figuring out on my own my style.
It's called the, Neil D. Fleming VAK model of learning.

That also might help you with this upcoming event.

 

[posthuman]

Military of the Roman Republic and Empire wore loosely regulated dress and armour. The contemporary concept of uniforms was not part of Roman culture and there were considerable differences in detail. Armour was not standardized and even that produced in state factories varied according to the province of origin. Likewise the Romans had no concept of obsolescence. Provided it remained serviceable, soldiers were free to use armour handed down by family members, buy armour from soldiers who had completed their service or wear discontinued styles of armour if they preferred it to (or could not afford) the latest issue. Thus it was common for legions to wear a mix of various styles that could cover a considerable time period.

from what i know - and i'm no expert - this is true of the earlier periods of the Roman empire, but by the 3rd-1st century BC they had developed a highly standardized professional standing army. their empire spanned hundreds of years, and by the time Ephesians was written, my impression is that lorica segmentata was the standard wear of legionnaires, and auxiliary soldiers wore a mix of the segmentata, or tunics of either flat mail or scale without breastplates.

this article i found corroborates that:
https://www.realmofhistory.com/2017/07/13/evolution-ancient-roman-soldier/

 

[Whispered]

Thank you. A good reminder.

Do you know what formation they fought in considering the use of the shield. I have seen the line formation but also triangle, circle, or other a type of double to triple line formation as each shield protects the front, front angle, and then the third row shields from above.

Well, if you want more information on the excerpt DC shared,

Military of the Roman Republic and Empire wore loosely regulated dress and armour. The contemporary concept of uniforms was not part of Roman culture and there were considerable differences in detail. Armour was not standardized and even that produced in state factories varied according to the province of origin. Likewise the Romans had no concept of obsolescence. Provided it remained serviceable, soldiers were free to use armour handed down by family members, buy armour from soldiers who had completed their service or wear discontinued styles of armour if they preferred it to (or could not afford) the latest issue. Thus it was common for legions to wear a mix of various styles that could cover a considerable time period.

, the full article is here: Ancient Roman military clothing

Wiki is always good with references, external links, and at times a Bibliography.
The article I posted in Miscellaneous forums about Sock Puppets is a good one. Especially since that is one of the major things that assail Wikipedia on a daily basis; sock accounts, entering and editing entries. They have fact checkers that are pretty quick to catch the changes but still, what a pain to have to worry about that one issue. False edits.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Sounds good. Visual teaching helps when there is a narrative that goes with it.
When I was in school, back before cars were invented , they didn't know that there are methods of retention of information related in a teaching cell. I wish they'd have known or practiced this when I was in school. It would have been a lot more fun than figuring out on my own my style.
It's called the, Neil D. Fleming VAK model of learning.

That also might help you with this upcoming event.

Car was invented around the late 1800s. Lol no way your that old.

 

[Whispered]

Car was invented around the late 1800s. Lol no way your that old.

Whaaaaaat? I'm shocked.

 

[reneweddaybyday]

One thing I notice, it says to STAND.
Not run, walk or fight. That’s because the battle is the Lords!

In agreement, Miri.

The Greek word histémi (stand) is used three times in the section of Scripture dealing with the armor of God. And an enhanced version of the word (anthistémi - translated "withstand") is used in vs 13.

hístēmi means "to stand"

anthistémi means "take a complete stand against, i.e. a "180 degree, contrary position"; to establish one's position publicly by conspicuously "holding one's ground," i.e. refusing to be moved ("pushed back"); ("oppose fully") means to forcefully declare one's personal conviction (where they unswervingly stand); to keep one's possession; ardently withstand, without giving up (letting go).

The word anthistémi is also used in James 4:7-8 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh. unto you.

When the adversary whispers his despicable lies in our ears, we are to hold our ground, without wavering, steadfastly holding to the truth of God's Word. As we submit ourselves to God, resist (withstand) the devil, and as we draw near to God, He draws near to us. The devil will flee. He will flee away. He will seek safety by flight. The adversary cannot stand against God nor the sword of the Spirit (Word of God).

There is a reason our offensive weapon (the sword of the Spirit) is the Word of God. The Word of God is so powerful it allows us to expose every lie the adversary uses against us to distract us from our primary duty (stand and withstand under the mighty arm of God).

And once we are fully geared up, we are instructed to pray. Prayer is such an underutilized weapon in our arsenal. Prayer brings the peace of God which surpasses our understanding and that peace of God guards our hearts and minds in moments when we might be anxious. Instead of anxiety, peace. And in that peace, we victoriously stand and withstand the onslaught of the adversary.

 

[Miri]

In agreement, Miri.

The Greek word histémi (stand) is used three times in the section of Scripture dealing with the armor of God. And an enhanced version of the word (anthistémi - translated "withstand") is used in vs 13.

hístēmi means "to stand"

anthistémi means "take a complete stand against, i.e. a "180 degree, contrary position"; to establish one's position publicly by conspicuously "holding one's ground," i.e. refusing to be moved ("pushed back"); ("oppose fully") means to forcefully declare one's personal conviction (where they unswervingly stand); to keep one's possession; ardently withstand, without giving up (letting go).

The word anthistémi is also used in James 4:7-8 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh. unto you.

When the adversary whispers his despicable lies in our ears, we are to hold our ground, without wavering, steadfastly holding to the truth of God's Word. As we submit ourselves to God, resist (withstand) the devil, and as we draw near to God, He draws near to us. The devil will flee. He will flee away. He will seek safety by flight. The adversary cannot stand against God nor the sword of the Spirit (Word of God).

There is a reason our offensive weapon (the sword of the Spirit) is the Word of God. The Word of God is so powerful it allows us to expose every lie the adversary uses against us to distract us from our primary duty (stand and withstand under the mighty arm of God).

And once we are fully geared up, we are instructed to pray. Prayer is such an underutilized weapon in our arsenal. Prayer brings the peace of God which surpasses our understanding and that peace of God guards our hearts and minds in moments when we might be anxious. Instead of anxiety, peace. And in that peace, we victoriously stand and withstand the onslaught of the adversary.

I agree, our only weapon is the word - It enables God to act on our behalf if
we wield it.

I know speaking of myself that I often try to do things by my own strength or run
ahead. I just end up getting frustrated and tired.

God has been speaking to me a lot recently about getting out of the way and
trusting Him, if only I will stand!

 

[Miri]

Yes I understand your idea but we are called to action and created to do the good works that was predestined for the believers. I believe in a spiritual sense we must not only hold the line but push back using the tools provided us in scripture.

The tools provided not only allows us spiritually to push back but also physically as Spirit led we act on the answers to prayer, we act on the Spirits nudges just as the Spirit acted in the book of Acts, and we act by preaching truth to a lost and dying world.

All of this involves holding the ground but God's will is to win the war. So many action verbs in scripture. That either commands us to act or gives us examples of how believers in the past acted in times of fear, sorrow, pain and against the worldly and spiritual forces.

The battle is always the Lords, we pray, preach, spread the gospel, use the word,
go and do what we feel God is leading us to do, have faith etc. But all this does
is allow God to work on our behalf.

We still have to stand and let God do it. We can’t save anyone for example
that’s down to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Yes we do our part and stand up to the enemy, but it’s a God who brings
the victory.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

The battle is always the Lords, we pray, preach, spread the gospel, use the word,
go and do what we feel God is leading us to do, have faith etc. But all this does
is allow God to work on our behalf.

We still have to stand and let God do it. We can’t save anyone for example
that’s down to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Yes we do our part and stand up to the enemy, but it’s a God who brings
the victory.

Yes just checking because some believe we are to just sit on the sidelines always praying with no action on our part as in the culture. They basically say the end will come and God's will, will be done regardless.

 

[Miri]

True story.

I know not every agrees dreams are from God, but I do receive Godly dreams,
all glory to Him.

I had a dream in 2015 that I was upstairs at my child hood house and could hear this
awful sound. It was like a pack of dogs were tearing each other to pieces, snarling, yelping,
screaming - really terrible noise. It made my blood run cold.

In the dream I looked out of the back windows but could not see anything.
So I went down the stairs. As I got to the bottom of the stairs I was no
longer in my house instead it was a large building with glass doors and a foyer.

I could see through the glass doors and over the road was this terrible evil,
twisted looking person. His face was all screwed up and gargoylish.

The sound was coming from him and it followed him around. He was carrying a
sniper rifle and in the dream I got the sense that it was for shooting fiery darts
at people.

(In real life I look after my elderly aunt). In the dream I knew my aunt was in the
building and this evil man started to cross the road to come into the building.
I ran to my right down a corridor panicking and knowing I had to protect my aunt.

I got through one door and locked it behind me and went to find my aunt. Then I woke up.

There was no doubt in my mind whatsoever that the dream was about satan that he goes
around like a roaring lion looking to see who he can destroy.

A few months later for real, my aunt fell and broke her shoulder, she had to go into
respite nursing care home for 6 weeks as it was impossible for her to mobilise at home and I could
not lift her in and out of bed etc.

When we reached this place it had a foyer with glass doors just like my dream!
During the time she was in there loads of things went wrong I ended up writing a
6 page letter of complaint. She also got delirium and developed a UTI. In her
confusion she use to complain there were dogs fighting outside of her bedroom
window!

I hated that place I visited 6 days a week at a cost of £100 per week to me in taxi
fares. I dare not leave her alone so many things went wrong, I was forever
complaining.

I really did feel that I was a shield standing in front of her on her behalf against
the fiery darts of the enemy.

She clearly was struggling and no one was taking any
notice. They all thought I was making a fuss about nothing but I continued to
do what I thought was right. She kept falling asleep and being really drowsy.

I begged them to send her to hospital but they just said it was her age.

When she did come home she wasn’t well and I called out our own doctor several
times. She become so unwell that she nearly died and ended up in hospital.
It was then we found out she had COPD and was hypoxia. Everyone around me
keep treating me as if I was stupid and over reacting, but if it hadn’t been for my
persistence and looking closely out for her, she would have died.


Even while she was in hospital I had a dream of a man with curly hair standing over
her and sprinkling her with something. I could not see his face as he was bent over her.
But I got a sense it was a ministering angel.

So in real life the next day I visited her in hospital and an anointed her with oil.

She recovered - this was after being told her heart was failing her kidneys were failing,
she had copd, she had mini strokes. Her body was filling up and bloated with fluid.

This is what we can achieve when we STAND either for ourselves or on behalf of others.

 

[tasha66]

I am currently building a series to teach about the Armor of God to a group in my local church. I would greatly appreciate any resources or references to anything related to this topic. I have 4 weeks to put all my thoughts and research down in a organized lesson.

What is the armor of God? - can you enlighten us unenlightened people please.
Thanx!

 

[Miri]

What is the armor of God? - can you enlighten us unenlightened people please.
Thanx!

this 🙂


Ephesians 6:13-14,16-18 NKJV
[13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
[14] Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [16] above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
[18] praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-

incidentally it really is Gods armour, see this.


Isaiah 59:15-18 NKJV
[15] So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. Then the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him That there was no justice.
[16] He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.
[17] For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
[18] According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay, Fury to His adversaries, Recompense to His enemies; The coastlands He will fully repay.

 

[tasha66]

@Miri: thanks - very interesting!

 

[Mission21]

'Ephesians 6:10-18' is one of my favorite passages.
- On spiritual warfare.
----
One of phrases/word I like in that passage is 'Stand'.
- '..to stand..' ( 6:13 )
- 'Stand therefore...' ( 6:14 )

---
I assume that some people here went through spiritual battles/warfare.
- I went through many times during my spiritual journey.
- 'To Stand'. .in the midst of spiritual battle/warfare is a challenge!
- It is important to continue...'Stand Firm.'

 

[Roughsoul1991]

What is the armor of God? - can you enlighten us unenlightened people please.
Thanx!

What Miri said.

this 🙂


Ephesians 6:13-14,16-18 NKJV
[13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
[14] Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [16] above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
[18] praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-

incidentally it really is Gods armour, see this.


Isaiah 59:15-18 NKJV
[15] So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. Then the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him That there was no justice.
[16] He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.
[17] For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
[18] According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay, Fury to His adversaries, Recompense to His enemies; The coastlands He will fully repay.