Divine Protection - A Detailed Look At The Armor Of God

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV)

INTRODUCTION

At the very moment the bullet would have penetrated his brain and killed him instantly, his head moved ever so slightly at such an angle that the bullet only hit his ear. It was clear to most people that there was some kind of divine intervention that stopped him from being assassinated. Because it happened at 6:11, some have said it was because he was wearing the Armor of God found in Ephesians 6:11 that protected him. Another unsuccesful attempt to assassinate him was made on September 15, 2024 while he was playing golf. A Secert Service agent saw a one inch round rifle barrel poke though a fence covered with dense foilage that was 300+ yards.

The Armor of God is so important to the Born-Again Christian that we are told two times in Scripture to put on the complete Armor of God daily so we can stand our ground against the attacks of the enemy because we are God's Temple! (vs. 11,13,14)

The Temple of the Holy Spirit

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)

God no longer lives within the Tabernacle made of human hands. He lives within the spirit, mind, and body of the one who has become Born-Again by repenting of their sin and receiving Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Two Greek words in the New Testament are translated as "temple." They are 'naos' and 'hieron.' The word used to describe the body as a "temple" of the Holy Spirit is the word 'naos,' which is also used metaphorically in the Bible to describe the physical body of Jesus.

"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19 ESV)

The other word translated as Temple in the New Testament is 'hieron,' which signifies the entire building or the numerous outer courts in Herod's Temple to which all people had access and is the area where Jesus taught His lessons.

The human body houses the eternal spirit and the mind. The spirit dwells in the body, and the Holy Spirit dwells in the spirit, mind, and body. The word soul, often used interchangeably with "spirit," means the mind, will, and emotions. The body, every cell, tissue, and organ, is the very shrine - the Holy of Holies - where the Spirit of God dwells. The Born-Again Christian is "the temple of the living God" (2 Corinthians 6:16b ESV). The most Holy Creator of the Universe lives in them, and He "is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:1-5 ESV).

Heaven is God's true eternal dwelling place. The Tabernacle was a copy of it (Hebrews 8:5; 9:24; Acts 7:44; Revelation 15:5). It was designed to foreshadow things to come (Hebrews 10:1). The access to God's divine presence was limited (Hebrews 9:7). The regulations God gave were temporary. The sacrifices were insufficient (Hebrews 9:9,10:1-4).

The magnificence of the Tabernacle was a reflection of the Shekinah Glory of God who dwelt there. His majestic beauty was displayed in its grandeur, and His holiness was expressed in the restrictions on access to it. The sacrificial system shows that people can only come to God on His terms and by the only provision He made to atone for sin - Jesus.

Jesus is the permanent Tabernacle - the Temple (John 1:14). He gave the Holy Spirit to dwell within every Born-Again Christian who is now the Temple of His holy presence. When we meet in a church, it is also the Temple of God with Jesus as the chief cornerstone and His presence dwells within to empower and bless His Bride (Ephesians 2:20).