Armor for the Christian Life

Within Scripture, two sets of armor are described for the Christian. Panoplia (πανοπλία) is the heavy armor used by Roman soldiers for defense. Hopion (ὅπλον) expresses a weapon of warfare that can included armor.

When the Chief Priests and Pharisees dispatched a troop of roman soldiers to arrest Jesus, they came armed with weapons (ὅπλον), John 18:3.

As we apply the truth to overcome the desires from the sin nature, after reckoning to ourselves that we have died with Christ and are co-raised with Him to walk in newness of life, we are to yield our members as instruments (ὅπλον) of righteousness, Romans 6:13.

The night is well spent, the day is near. Therefore, we are to cast of the works of darkness, putting on the armor (ὅπλον) of light, Romans 13:12, so that we walk properly as in the day, having put on Christ as our outer garment so that we are making no provisions for the flesh and its desires, Romans 13:13-14. This armor (ὅπλον) includes the breastplate of faith and the helmet of salvation, 1 Thessalonians 5:8.

When dealing with persecution and tribulation, we are to commend ourselves as those who belong to God by the internet ability of God, through the use of the armor (ὅπλον) of righteousness, 2 Corinthians 6:7.

Our daily armaments (ὅπλον) of warfare are not carnal but in the inherent ability of God we use them to tear down strongholds, which are the reasonings that exalt themselves above God, bringing the working of our minds into obedience to the Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.

Panoplia (πανοπλία) is our heavy armor that is used when we are attacked by Satan so that we are able to stand firm against him, Ephesians 6:11. With […]

Armor for the Christian LifeLuther Walker2024-11-14T06:34:39-08:00

Vigilant (γρηγορέω)

In 1 Peter 5:8, we are instructed to be watchful because our adversary, the Devil, roars around seeking whom he may swallow up. Vigilant (γρηγορέω) means to watch; be on alert for danger.

On his way to Jerusalem, Paul takes the opportunity to stop in Ephesus to encourage the Pastors to shepherd the flock of God while taking heed for themselves, Acts 20:28. When he is gone, he is aware that savage wolves will come in among them, Acts 20:39. Even some of their own will draw away disciples after themselves, rejecting the truth and seeking the glory of men, Acts 20:30. Therefore, they are to be on alert, for Paul has warned them of the dangers for the past three years, Acts 20:31. This assembly listened to Paul’s instruction. They tested those who claimed to be apostles and were not, finding them liars. They kept watch in their work, hard labor, and patience, not bearing things that were wrong. However, in doing so, they lost their love for the brethren, Revelation 2:4. We are to remain on guard for false teachers while being cautious not to fall into the same trap as the saints in Ephesus and lose our love for fellow saints.

After rebuking and exhorting the saints of Corinth, Paul encourages them to be vigilant and stand firm in the faith. Rather than being carnal, they are to do all things out from love, 1 Corinthians 16:13. They are to welcome those who are doing the work of the Lord and pay attention to the dangers of false apostles, who had infiltrated their assemblies and caused a lot of spiritual damage. Still today, their impact is felt among many assemblies that are focused on […]

Vigilant (γρηγορέω)Luther Walker2023-12-22T06:26:33-08:00

Faith

Scripture defines faith (πίστις) as the substance of that which is hoped for, the conviction of accomplished deeds not seen in Hebrews 11:1. It is therefore not an attitude or belief that is dictated by probability, that is wishful thinking based upon a desire, want, or need; rather, it is a conviction based upon a promise.

Substance is referring to the underlying essence by which something exists. Christ is the exact image of God in the flesh. Through His life the fundamental nature of God was made visible to humans, Hebrews 1:3.

Conviction is the act of presenting evidence to persuade a person’s mind to believe in the truth. This evidence is established upon accomplished deeds that are not seen. We see this demonstrated in the actions of God when He determined to show the heirs of promise the immutability of His determination by giving two immutable facts, it is impossible for God to lie and making an oath based upon His word, Hebrews 6:13-18. The conviction of faith is therefore based upon the facts related to accomplished deeds that God has done.

Therefore, faith is the essence of that which is hoped for, and by the conviction based upon the facts of the promise that hope is based upon, the individual expressing belief will act according to their confidence in the person making the promise.

Many times in Scripture Jesus called out the faith of those around Him, especially of those who would not normally have faith. When a Centurion, a Gentile, asked Jesus to heal his servant, he expressed faith in the fact that Christ is the Messiah promised to the Jews by only asking that Jesus speaks the words, for one who is of authority only […]

FaithLuther Walker2023-12-14T08:12:55-08:00

Demonology Lesson 5

Putting On the Armor of God

Girding the Loins with Truth

Referring to the Thoughts – What goes through the mind, 1 Peter 1:13

Combats Lying and Gossip

Breastplate of Righteousness

We Are Righteous Because We Are In Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:21

By His Stripe We are Healed, 1 Peter 2:24

Defends Against Independence from God and Pride

Feet Prepared with the Gospel of Peace

This is the Message for Salvation, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

It is a Gospel of Peace, Romans 5:1

Defends against Stealing, Laziness in Spiritual things, and Bitterness

The Shield of Faith, Ephesians 6:16

Fiery darts of the malignantly evil one

Doubting is when you do something that you think is against the standards God has set for your life.

The Helmet of Salvation, Ephesians 6:17

Our Salvation in Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Defends Against Disappointment, Discouragement, Cowardice in Spiritual Things, Unforgiving (not gracious) Spirit

Disappointment, Job 3:1-26

Discouragement, Job 10:1-22

Cowardice in Spiritual Things, Luke 22:31-32

Stand as Men, 1 Corinthians 16:13

Unforgiving (Not Gracious) Spirit, 2 Corinthians 2:10-11

The Sword of the Spirit, Ephesians 6:17

This is the Utterances of God

Used to Defend Against Any Attack that Makes it Through the Other Parts of the Armor

Defensive, Not Offensive

The sword is used for all other types of attacks that get through the other parts of the armor. It is defensive still, not striking out, but destroying the attempts by Satan to negatively influence our thoughts by using specific statements from God’s […]

Demonology Lesson 5Luther Walker2023-12-14T08:26:50-08:00

1 Thessalonians June 6 2019

The Wrath of God

1 Thessalonians 5:8,9

But let us, being of the day, be sober having put on the breastplate of faith and truth and a hope helmet of salvation because the God has not set us unto any quality of wrath, but unto possessing salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Thessalonians June 6 2019Luther Walker2019-06-06T19:36:47-07:00

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