What Does It Mean To Grab Your Battle Rattle? Part 2 Series

Now we come to the second half of our sermon.

In verse 15:

Shoes are needed for conflict and for traversing treacherous ground. These shoes are designed for warfare. Without a pair of shoes, you can only walk or run so far. Your feet are exposed to the elements. Are our shoes for running or walking? Are the stylish and just look good? Having our feet shod indicates a readiness to advance into the spiritual realm. Romans 10:15

In verse 16:

A shield is for defense, it is for protection. In some cultures, a shield covered soldiers from head to foot. The shield would be held in front of the soldier to stop or block a frontal attack.

The Shield of faith – there are several types of faith, saving faith, gift of faith, fruit of faith. (Psalms 3:3 )

When our lives turn to despair, the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17, Romans 10:17). We are to put on faith (1 Thessalonians 5:8) and look to the author of faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Faith is the thing that deters the assaults of the foe. Different pieces of the armor protect the soldier if the shield is circumvented. The most grounded guard is the shield: it protects the remainder of the armor. Note that the relationship of a "shield of faith" additionally counters the incessant analysis of religion as "visually impaired (blind) faith". Shields are deliberate instruments, not dividers to take cover behind. Shields are intended to be utilized with awareness, cooperation, and strategy.

The excellence of a Roman shield was its capacity to oppose almost any sort of assault. In this unique circumstance, Paul noticed that the shield of faith can quench all the flaring darts of the wicked. The assault he specifies is flaming arrows, a typical strategy in old-time war. Even a Roman breastplate could be penetrated by an arrow. Shields inclined to burst into flames were powerless. Roman shields were fixed with cowhide, and typically doused with water before a fight. The One giving the shield gives his soldiers armor completely fit to enduring the adversary invasion.

Notice that the assault is from the evil one, Satan. Jesus previously instructed to petition God for assurance against Satan as the evil one (Matthew 6:13). Satan cannot be everywhere immediately since he is not God. Yet Paul demonstrates that Satan endeavors to assault each believer he can. Like a military soldier, he can assault Christians in a roundabout way through his devils.

Curiously, the shield is the solitary defensive piece of armor which can likewise secure others. Soldiers during Biblical times would normally go to battle in a formation, interlocking their shields. This implied each man secured both himself, as well as the others with his shield. In the body of believers, collaboration, holiness, and unity are pivotal. At the point when we work "in formation," we structure a mass of faith which makes the whole church more secure and more grounded.

In verse 17:

These verses indicate things we are to do in the present. The helmet protects our minds, a regenerated mind, a transformed and a renewed mind. An undisciplined mind makes the Christian warrior easy prey to sinful deceptions. Satan will try to make us doubt God’s saving work. Salvation represents the past, the present, and the future. We have been saved from guilt and the penalty of past sin. We are being saved from the power of sin in the present. The hope of salvation refers to salvation in the future tense. (1 Thessalonians 5:8; 1 Peter 1:13)

Helmets are fundamental in fight. A helmet can protect against stones, handheld weapons, shots from guns, hand to hand combat, impacts with the ground or different assaults focused on the head. Soldiers realized one hit to the head could mean catastrophe in a fight. Therefore, hardly any bits of armor make a soldier more secure than a protective helmet. Paul relates the helmet in the armor of God with salvation. Salvation is eventually the best assurance against Satan, since nothing can isolate us from the affection for God in Christ (Romans 8:37–39).

Paul also refers to “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” This is the main hostile weapon referenced. The sword was utilized to execute and crush foes during an assault. The commonplace Roman sword was not a long, lumbering weapon. Or they were short-bladed, simple to draw, and brisk in battle. Similarly, God's Word assists with defeating our adversaries during spiritual assaults. During the temptations of Jesus by Satan, Jesus utilized Scripture on each of the three events to defeat temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). The individuals who study Scripture can best strike back against temptation and keep the Devil from thumping them from their post.

It ought to likewise be noticed that swords are liable to be misused. An appropriately used blade, utilized as the soldier has been instructed, is a fit device. Yet, a soldier who swings a sword carelessly or wildly will do harm to themselves or others. The equivalent is valid for the Bible, the sword of the Spirit. Improper, reckless, or insubordinate utilization of the Bible can cause torment, mischief, and spiritual harm.