The Time I Almost Gave Up

I came across this video yesterday evening. It really gave me a lot to think about.

Jerry Bridges, a man God has used to further His Kingdom, almost gave up on God?

Jerry Bridges, one of the most prominent spiritual giants/theologians of today, almost let doubt (brought on by Satan) cause him to lose his faith?

It shocked me.

Then, after some thought, I realized that it shouldn't shock me when a fellow Christian - well-known theologian or not - admits struggling with doubt at some point in their life. It's part of the natural, or the "old man" that still likes to hang around after we accept Christ. Satan loves to use this "old man" to try to tear us away from our faith.

Some of us struggle more with doubt than others. It has to do with our God-given personality, our life experiences, our own unique viewpoints.

How, then, are we to fight doubt? How are we to fight Satan's blistering attacks on our relationship with God?

We fight it with truth.

This means immersing ourselves in the Scriptures, digging deep to find the truth found in its pages.

This means surrounding ourselves with people who want to know God's truth.

This means becoming part of a church that is committed to teaching the truths found in God's Word.

This means trusting what God says over what man has to say whenever there is a discrepancy or contradiction between the two. Remember that your "favorite" pastors and theologians can be wrong.

There is nothing wrong with seeking advice from your pastor or a spiritually mature Christian about a spiritual/biblical issue or question. Just remember that person you're seeking advice from is human, too, and is subsequently prone to error - unintentional or not.

Not sure what to think about a particular issue? Confused about a spiritual problem/question you have? Don't take [insert your pastor's name here]'s word for it. Take God's Word for it.

You may be seriously considering giving up on God. Let me ask you to resist the temptation to give in to doubt. Seek godly counsel (with a grain of salt). Most importantly, pore over Scripture to find the answers you seek. Ask God to help you find the answers you need in His Word. He'll do it. You just have to ask.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

John 8:31-32 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

II Timothy 3:16-17 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

Hebrews 11:1  

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 

I John 4:1-6 

“I believe that in the end the truth will conquer.” 

John Wycliffe

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The Rejection of Truth

As an American patriot and Christian, I feel the need to mention some grievances that have come to my attention in the recent months.

David Barton, historian and writer (and the Founder and President of WallBuilders), recently published a book entitled The Jefferson Lies: Exposing the Myths You've Always Believed About Thomas Jefferson  through Thomas Nelson Publishers, one of the most prominent Christian publishing companies. The book was repealed after the publisher "lost confidence" in The Jefferson Lies.

This is the official statement from the WallBuilders web site in response to Thomas Nelson Publisher's repeal of the book.

"The announcement that Thomas Nelson has pulled The Jefferson Lies because it has 'lost confidence' in the work has become national news. However, while Thomas Nelson may have “lost confidence” in the work, others have not and thus the book has already been picked up by a much larger national publisher and distributor. Even at the time Nelson dropped the work, they admitted that it was still selling very well.

"As is the case with all of our published items, we go above and beyond with original source documentation so that people can be thoroughly confident when they see the truth of history for themselves. We find it regrettable that Thomas Nelson never contacted us with even one specific area of concern before curtly notifying us they had dropped the work. Had they done so, we would have been happy to provide them with the thorough and extensive historical documentation for any question or issue they raised; they never asked. The Jefferson Lies has not been pulled from publication and it will continue to sell nationally."

 In this article, Barton addresses individual critics' concerns and statements about The Jefferson Lies. (I was planning on quoting parts of this article, but found very quickly that I would need to quote the entire article for accuracy, so it's much better if you just read the article for yourself.) He speaks very well for himself, so I would strongly encourage you to read it.

Why is Barton taking so many negative hits for trying to educate others - especially Americans - about the truth of our Founding Fathers using original documents and eyewitness accounts?

I cannot make a final judgment call on why Barton's critics are being so negative, but I can point to what the Scriptures say about human nature tends to treat truth.

God is a God of truth.

...a God of truth... {Deuteronomy 32:4}

...all his works are done in truth. {Psalm 33:4}

...his truth endureth to all generations. {Psalm 100:5}

...thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. {Psalm 108:4}

....thy law is the truth. {Psalm 119:142}

...all thy commandments are truth. {Psalm 119:151}

 Fallen, depraved man has a natural tendency to reject God's truth and replace it with man's lies, even men who have accepted Christ as their Savior (see Romans 1 and 2). Many times, this is because the truth isn't "convenient." Truth doesn't fit with our preconceived notions, and that makes us uncomfortable. So we skew truth/reality to fit with what makes us comfortable.

It can be very hard to stand up for the truth. It's so very tempting to cave under pressure. We don't like being uncomfortable. We don't like standing out, being "different." It makes me sad that Thomas Nelson, one of the most well-known Christian publishers, has caved under pressure.

Now, I am not saying Barton's latest book is on the same level as God's Word as a source for truth. It just makes me sad to see a dedicated believer being criticized for trying to debunk myths and lies that our education system has led our nation to believe about Thomas Jefferson and other Founding Fathers.

I am no historian (although I do love history...and books), but I have a hard time believing that Deists would frame an entire country's foundation on Biblical principles and standards. I have a hard time believing that Deists would implement prayer before each session of Congress and establish a position for a Congressional chaplain. I have a hard time believing that Deists would have financially supported efforts to evangelize the Native American Indian tribes. It disturbs me that Baron is taking so much flak for his desire to set the record straight about Jefferson in his latest book via original documents, eyewitness accounts, and official records (infringement of free speech aside).

Again, I'm not saying Barton - or any other man for that matter - is on par with God as a reliable source for truth. My point is, we tend to reject any truth that isn't "convenient" and/or doesn't fit with our ideas or perspective(s).

In the Gospel of John, Jesus said:

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. {John 8:32}

Truth is a God-given source of freedom. America's Founding Fathers created the entire foundation of America on God's truth revealed through His Word.

But ... you can't live by the truth if you don't know the truth. That requires digging deep, using original sources in context - in our case, the Bible (in Barton's case, original writings, eyewitness accounts and official documents).

Seek to learn and know the truth by becoming a student of God's Word. Remember: you can't live by the truth if you don't know the truth.

"The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible."

Patrick Henry

General in the American Revolution; Legislator; Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Governor of Virginia

"Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. . . . What a Eutopia [sic] – what a Paradise would this region be!"

John Adams

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; One of the Two Signers of the Bill of Rights; Second President of the United States 

"I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament." 

Benjamin Rush

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Surgeon General of the Continental Army; Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Treasurer of the U.S. Mint

"In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity."

John Quincy Adams 

Sixth President of the United States; Secretary of State; U.S. Senator; U.S. Representative 

"The great, vital, and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." 

Congress, 1854

"[T]he only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible."

 Benjamin Rush

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Surgeon General of the Continental Army; Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Treasurer of the U.S. Mint

"Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped. [sic]"

 Benjamin Franklin

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Signer of the U.S. Constitution; Governor of Pennsylvania

"Had the people, during the Revolution, had a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle... In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity... That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants."

Congress, U. S. House Judiciary Committee, 1854

"[Governments] could not give the rights essential to happiness… We claim them from a higher source: from the King of kings, and Lord of all the earth."

John Dickinson

Signer of the Constitution; Governor of Pennsylvania; Governor of Delaware; General in the American Revolution

"Righteousness alone can exalt America as a nation. Whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others."

Patrick Henry

General in the American Revolution; Legislator; Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Governor of Virginia

"It becomes a people publicly to acknowledge the over-ruling hand of Divine Providence and their dependence upon the Supreme Being as their Creator and Merciful Preserver . . . and with becoming humility and sincere repentance to supplicate the pardon that we may obtain forgiveness through the merits and mediation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Samuel Huntington

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; President of Congress; Governor of Connecticut 

"[P]ublic utility pleads most forcibly for the general distribution of the Holy Scriptures. Without the Bible, in vain do we increase penal laws and draw entrenchments around our institutions." 

James McHenry

Officer in the Revolutionary War; Signer and Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Secretary of War

"By renouncing the Bible, philosophers swing from their moorings upon all moral subjects… It is the only correct map of the human heart that ever has been published."

 Benjamin Rush

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Surgeon General of the Continental Army; Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Treasurer of the U.S. Mint

"You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are." 

George Washington

Member of the Continental Congress; Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army; President of the Constitutional Convention; First President of the United States

"This will be the best security for maintaining our liberties. A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the religion of ignorance that tyranny begins."

Benjamin Franklin

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Signer of the U.S. Constitution; Governor of Pennsylvania

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event." Thomas Jefferson

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Governor of Virginia; Secretary of State; Third President of the United States

"Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. ... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us." 

John Hanckock

First Signer of the Declaration of Independence; President of Congress; General in the Revolutionary War; Governor of Massachusetts  

I recommend a general and public return of praise and thanksgiving to Him from whose goodness these blessings descend. The most effectual means of securing the continuance of our civil and religious liberties is always to remember with reverence and gratitude the source from which they flow. 

John Jay

President of Congress; Author of the Federalist Papers; Original Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; Governor of New York

"[T]he greatest discoveries in science have been made by Christian philosophers and . . . there is the most knowledge in those countries where there is the most Christianity."

 Benjamin Rush

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Surgeon General of the Continental Army; Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Treasurer of the U.S. Mint

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Examining Your Responses

Just as there are times of joy, there are also times if suffering during the course of life. You may have suffered abuse, abandonment, or rejection. Perhaps you are hurting over a failed marriage or failed relationships/friendships. You may think God has forgotten you, or doesn't care about you. Your heart has grown cold, angry, perhaps bitter, toward God. Psalm 31:7 says,

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities.

David didn't rejoice because he was suffering. He was able to rejoice because he knew God was there and would always be with him.

Life has not given you what you expected. You want more. The world tells you that you deserve more. Proverbs 21:2 says,

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. 

 Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). He wants to keep you from facing the truth about your unbiblical responses to the hurts you have faced, because denial keeps you in bondage to him. When you live in denial, you cannot know God intimately or enjoy fellowship with Him. Satan's mission is accomplished.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. {John 8:32}

 If you are willing to face the truth, the truth will set you free - free from your sinful responses to circumstances in your life.

Psalm 142 describes a trying time in David's life.

I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.  

I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.  

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.  

I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.  

I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.  

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.  

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

David was hiding in a cave because he was being pursued by Saul. You are constantly being pursued by Satan and your fleshly nature, but you do not have to give in.

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. {Romans 13:14}

David was in desperate need. He was honest about his feelings and his need, but his focus was entirely on God. He was able to have joy in the midst of distressing circumstances because his focus was entirely on God.

{ Stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one's 'real' life. They are precisely one's real life. - C.S. Lewis }

Have you lived in denial about your unbiblical responses? What truth do you need to face about your unbiblical responses? Don't put it off any longer - make those responses right today so your relationship with God can be restored and you can live with the joy of the Lord in your heart!

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Satan's Lies vs. God's Truth

When you are in the valley of depression and/or discouragement, your mind is weak and particularly prone to believe Satan's lies, and he knows this. Satan uses our times in the valley (when we're discourage or depressed) to ensnare us in the bondage of self-absorption. Self-absorption takes your focus off of God and His truth and onto yourself. That's why it is extremely important that you replace Satan's lies with God's truth as soon as they come to your mind. You need to remind yourself of the truths you have neglected in order to reaffirm them in your mind and heart to avoid this trap and experience victory. 

What better way to combat Satan's lies and remind yourself of God's truths than with Truth itself, the Word of God?

Below is a list of some of the most common lies Satan uses to try to ensnare us. I have paired each lie with at least one verse to help remind you of what God has to say about that particular lie. 


Satan's Lie: "No one cares, including God."
God's Truth: Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. {Jeremiah 31:3}

Satan's Lie: "I'm no good."
God's Truth: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. {2 Corinthians 5:17}

Satan's Lie: "I'm all alone." 

God's Truth: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. {Hebrews 15:3b}

Satan's Lie: "I don't need God."

God's Truth: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. {John 15:5}

Satan's Lie: "This problem is beyond help."

God's Truth: Is any thing too hard for the LORD? {Genesis 18:14}

Satan's Lie: "Nothing will ever change."

God's Truth: ...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. {Isaiah 61:3}

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. {Psalm 30:5b}

Satan's Lie: "I should be afraid of the unknown."

God's Truth: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. {Jeremiah 29:11}

Satan's Lie: "These feelings of hopelessness will never change."

God's Truth: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: {Psalm 42:5, 11}

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. {Lamentations 3:24}

Satan's Lie: "I hate people."

God's Truth: If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. {I John 4:20-21}

Satan's Lie: "God is angry with me."

God's Truth: The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy ... For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. {Psalm 103:8, 14}

Satan's Lie: "No one understands me."

God's Truth: Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. {Psalm 147:5}

Satan's Lie: "I hate life."

God's Truth: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. {John 14:6}

Do you have any additional lies and/or truths to add to this list? Feel free to leave a comment below.

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Facing the Giants

"David" by Michelangelo

"Teenage Boy Kills Local Terror, Goliath." I imagine that would have been the headline article for the newspapers in Israel when David killed Goliath. (I realize newspapers didn't exist in David's day, just my overactive imagination at work here. ;) ) How remarkable that a teenage shepherd boy took down a nearly 10-foot tall military powerhouse that had the armies of Israel quaking in their sandals for well over a month (40 days)! I think it's safe to assume that no one other than David could have imagined how the encounter between the boy with a sling and the giant with the full trappings of war would conclude.  (You can find the full account of this remarkable story in I Samuel 17.)

While it's unlikely that any of us will ever confront a physical giant like Goliath, many (if not all) of us face spiritual giants that are just as formidable and deadly. There names are Fear, Doubt, Temptation, and Pride.

{Fear} This giant is aroused by danger, evil, pain, concern, or anxiety. It hinders us from facing difficult circumstances with faith. It prevents us from doing the right or "hard" thing because of the possibility of failure or rejection.

{Doubt} This giant holds us captive when we question or are uncertain about promises God has given us in His Word. Doubting means that we consider God's Word questionable or unreliable.

{Temptation} This giant rears its ugly head when we are slack in guarding our minds, bodies, and souls from the alluring siren calls of the world to engage in sinful activities or thought patterns that are contrary to the way we have been called to live.

{Pride} This giant comes on the scene when we have an unbiblical view of ourselves, high or low. We can become overly confident in our own abilities or consumed with our failures; both are expressions of pride.

How are we to fight against such formidable giants?

Fight Fear with Faith. Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:3-9; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Psalm 23:4; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 56:3-4; Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 54:4; Matthew 10:26; Matthew 10:28; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 4:7-11; Philippians 4:6-7; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 13:5-6; 1 Peter 5:7.

Fight Doubt with Truth. Psalm 15:1-2; Psalm 25:5; Psalm 43:3; Psalm 86:11; Psalm 119:160; Matthew 17:20; Luke 18:27; John 8:31-32; John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 4:25; Philippians 4:13; Philippians 4:19; 1 John 1:8. 

Fight Temptation with Purity. Psalm 119:11; Proverbs 7:25-26; Matthew 5:27-29; Matthew 26:41; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:12-14; Galatians 5:16-25; Philippians 4:8; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Timothy 2:22; Titus 2:12; Hebrews 2:18; James 1:12-14; James 4:7; 1 John 2:14-17. 

Fight Pride with Humility. Deuteronomy 12:4;  Obadiah 1:3; 2 Chronicles 26:16; Psalm 10:4; Psalm 138:6; Psalm 147:6; Proverbs 3:34; Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 13:10; Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 16:5; Proverbs 16:18-19; Proverbs 18:12; Proverbs 21:4; Proverbs 22:4; Proverbs 25:9; Proverbs 26:12; Proverbs 29:23; Isaiah 2:11; Isaiah 5:21; Isaiah 23:9; Daniel 5:20; Matthew 18:3-4; Luke 14:7-11; Luke 22:24-27; Mark 9:35; Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 2:1-11; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:2-6.

Ask the Lord to help you identify areas where these giants have taken hold in your life. As He brings those areas to light, it can be discouraging to see how easy it is for them to creep in and take us captive. Just remember: the same God who enabled David to defeat Goliath is the same God who will help you bring down the giants in your life, as well.

"David with the Head of Goliath" by Caravaggio 

Please comment below: What giants have you faced in your life? How has the Lord enabled you to defeat them? What verses have helped you and/or encouraged you in this process?

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Spiritual Warfare

Exactly 68 years ago, in the early hours of the morning, the Allied Invasion of Normandy ("D-Day") began. The operation was the largest amphibious invasion in world history.

Over 160,000 land troops were involved in this operation: 73,000 American troops, 61,715 British and 21,400 Canadian. 195,700 allied naval and merchant navy personell in over 5,000 ships were involved as well.

 "You will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely....The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking." - General Dwight D. Eisenhower giving the D-Day order on June 6, 1944.
 

As you can see, this was a massive undertaking! 

The landings took place along a 50-mile stretch of the Normany coast. This landing site was divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. The Americans' orders were to take Utah and Omaha beaches while the British were to take Gold and Sword, leaving the Canadians to take Juno Beach.

D-Day was the beginning of the end for not only the German Armed Forces, but Hitler most of all.

In the same way, Satan is constantly plotting to invade and attack the souls of Christians. The Apostle Peter warns us to "[b]e sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" {I Peter 5:8}

 I don't know about you, but the thought of a hungry lion coming after me with the intent to kill is pretty terrifying to me!

How are we to defend ourselves from Satan's bombardments? The Apostle Paul answers that question for us in Ephesians 6:

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" {Ephesians 6:10-17}

Paul uses the picture of a suit of armor to represent the most important doctrines of Christianity.

First, he stresses the necessity of putting on the entire suit of armor. If a knight failed to put on his entire suit of armor, he would leave himself exposed to the weapons of the enemy, resulting in severe injury or death.

The belt of truth ("loins girt about with truth"): The belt joins the suit of armor together and prevents it from sliding off the wearer's body. Truth, in the same way, is the central doctrine that links all the other elements of Christianity.

The footwear of peace ("feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace"): Footwear protects the feet from anything that would hinder the wearer's movement. Peace, then, is the "footwear" that enables the Christian to share the Gospel with those who have not heard the name of Christ.

The shield of faith: Knights used the shield to stop enemy weapons from hitting their target. Faith is the shield the Christian uses to "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Without faith, the Christian has very little defense against the Devil's onslaughts.

The helmet of salvation: The helmet protects the most vital part of the body: the head, which houses the brain. If the head is damaged, the brain cannot work properly, and the whole body suffers. In the same way, then, salvation is the most essential part of the Christian life. Without it, Satan can eat us for breakfast!

The sword of the Spirit: The sword was the knight's main weapon in combat. The Word of God, the Bible, is the Christian's weapon against the Devil's attacks. Without the Sword, we are merely defensive.

We are in a war, my friends. Let's put on the whole armor of God so that we may be effective soldiers in Christ's army!

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