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Title: The Armor of God, Part 3
Intro:
If you could have any of Superman’s powers, which would you chose? (There is only one correct answer_
14 Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 [g]in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
(pray)
The Belt of Truth
The first amor listed is arguably the most important, it is certainly the most foundational.
The belt of a Roman soldier in Paul’s day was not a simple leather strap such as we wear today. It was a thick, heavy leather and metal band with a protective piece hanging down from the front of it.
But protection was not the belt’s primary function.
The belt held the soldier’s sword and other weapons. The belt of truth of the spiritual armor holds the sword of the Spirit, linking truth and the Word of God (cf. John 17:17). The Word of God is truth.
The belt holds the weapon. The weapon is the Truth.
What might it look like for a soldier of God’s army to enter battle without the best of truth?
- Poor theology leads to defeat.
- Pacifism (belt on, but no weapon holstered) leads to defeat.
- No belt=get caught with your pants down.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
In the armor of a Roman soldier, the breastplate served as protection for some of the most important parts of the body. Underneath the breastplate is the heart, lungs and other organs necessary for life.
Therefore, if a soldier did not wear his breastplate, he was vulnerable to an attack that could result in instant death.
Unlike the belt, who’s primary function is offense, the breastplate’s primary function is defense.
How does righteousness protect us?
- By being knowledgeable about God’s Word, Truth, and Law, we can protect ourselves from trials and temptations.
- When one tastes the delight’s of God’s Word, and develops a taste for them, we instantly recognize the bitterness of the world’s offerings. (Anyone a fan of 2% milk? Anyone ever put on someone else’s shoes or coat and immediately recognize that it doesn’t fit?)
- The longer we wear the armor, the better it fits. And, unlike physical armor, this armor grows MORE effective the more the dawn it.
- Others?
What Might it look like to enter battle without the breastplate of righteousness?
- The heart is vulnerable.
- The target is large. (Center mass)
- It’s obvious to the enemy if you don’t have it on. You make yourself a target.
- Others?
Close:
Pray/QA