Devotional Space for Grace | Ready for Battle? (c) helmet, sword | 11.18

Jim

Active member
Bible Challenge
Oct 5, 2020
213
174
43

LOST and FOUND

Ready for Battle? (c) helmet, sword




And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the spoken word of God;


Ephesians 6:17, New Heart English Bible


Man’s greatest strength is to trust God. Satan’s objective is to make us distrust God, painting the Father in his own perverse image as the “father of lies.”


5. HELMET of Salvation. Protect your mind – be assured of your acceptance by God. Few things are more demoralizing and debilitating than the insecurity of negative thinking. Satan hits us with our failures and sins to undermine our assurance in Christ. Don’t give up! Remind yourself that Jesus is your sure hope of present and future salvation based on what he has done (Matt 1:21; 12:21).


6. SWORD of Word. A short sword or dagger, unlike a broadsword, was used with precision in hand-to-hand combat. “The word of God” (
rhema) refers to particular statements in scripture necessary for a particular occasion. With what dexterity Jesus, by the Spirit, used rhema words from scripture to ward off Satan’s temptations! (Isa 49:2) So, fill your mind with the Word of God. It is the Spirit’s toolbox. The Spirit will use it to begin shaping you into the likeness of Jesus Christ who is the living Word (logos) of God.


JESUS OUR ARMOUR. There are striking parallels between John 13-17 and the suit of armour. Jesus is our truth (John 14:6), righteousness (John 17:19), peace (John 16:33), faith (John 16:27), salvation (John 17:3) and Word (John 15:7). The spiritual armour is not about our best efforts to be truthful, righteous, peaceful and faithful by reading the Bible. Wearing this armour means standing in the knowledge that JESUS is our complete defence and attack against anything that comes against us.


______________________________


Put on Christ and daily explore the reality of your secure position