Auto-generated, so imperfect — click any line to jump the video to that moment.
0:00
Greetings and welcome to this session of
0:02
wisdom forging where you and I engage in
0:05
the ongoing process of applying biblical
0:07
thinking to deepen our understanding of
0:09
biblical truth.
0:11
In traditional warfare, civilian
0:14
casualties tend to be either collateral
0:15
damage or intended to demoralize an
0:18
army. They're not typically the primary
0:20
concern of the enemy. The enemy's
0:22
weapons are usually aimed at the
0:24
soldiers, the threat that marches out to
0:26
face them. When you dawn the armor of
0:29
God, you guarantee that you will be
0:32
identified by the enemy as a soldier of
0:34
God. When you dawn the armor of God, you
0:37
make yourself a target. If you are
0:39
missing a piece of your armor, you leave
0:42
the part of you that it would have
0:43
covered vulnerable to the attacks of the
0:45
enemy. You don't put on your boots and
0:48
your breastplate, but leave your belt
0:50
and your helmet at home.
0:52
You don't go into battle without your
0:54
shield of faith and your sword of truth.
0:57
Lest the enemy find you unprepared and
0:59
exposed. You're inviting ruin upon
1:02
yourself if you make the mistake of
1:04
leaving behind any piece of your armor.
1:07
One piece is better than nothing, but
1:09
it's not nearly as effective as wearing
1:11
the whole set.
1:13
Imagine the consequences of handicapping
1:15
a soldier in such a way. In our case, in
1:18
spiritual warfare, the consequences are
1:20
not always physical injuries, although
1:23
they can include wounds of the flesh.
1:27
More concerningly to me, though, they
1:30
are often wounds of the soul that
1:32
us in our mission to shine light
1:34
into the darkness, to evangelize, to
1:37
disciple the fellowship.
1:40
For those written into the book of life,
1:42
there's no need to worry about the
1:44
conclusion of this spiritual conflict
1:47
that we're in. Whether we know it, want
1:50
it, believe it or not. Jesus proclaimed
1:53
the work done. The war is won. In the
1:57
new creation, we will experience perfect
1:59
peace without the shadow of war
2:01
darkening our days ever again. But for
2:04
now, we have to continue our march
2:06
through this muck until the race is won
2:09
and done literally physically.
2:14
God has provided for us a full set of
2:17
armor that can protect us from the
2:18
spiritual attacks of the enemy and
2:21
enable us to cut through the darkness
2:23
that blinds the sheep and obscures the
2:25
wolf in our midst.
2:29
For the armor to work, you must put on
2:30
the whole armor of God every single day.
2:33
The day that you leave it off will be
2:35
the day that the enemy takes you off the
2:37
field. It may only be for a day. It
2:39
might be for a week, a month. It could
2:41
be a long season, but he won't miss the
2:44
opportunity.
2:46
Do not give the enemy that opportunity.
2:49
Dawn the full armor of God and protect
2:51
God's flock. learn the armor like the
2:54
back of your hand so that you can teach
2:56
it to others to multiply the faithful
2:58
and to protect God's people. You want to
3:01
know more about the armor of God, I
3:03
suggest you go to Ephesians chapter 6.
3:07
Um, I'd really recommend reading the
3:09
whole book, but if you want the quick
3:11
version, you skip to chapter 6, verse 10
3:14
through 18, and that will be your
3:18
primary text to tell you what the armor
3:21
of God is and how to equip it. Applying
3:25
the word of God can be challenging, but
3:26
the fruit is always worth the effort in
3:29
eternity. I hope the way I've presented
3:31
this call to action encourages a genuine
3:35
dialogue, both private and public,
3:37
rather than merely passive media
3:39
consumption. You're welcome to like and
3:41
subscribe or not at any time. A like and
3:44
subscribe is what drives media
3:45
algorithms, but the word of God is what
3:48
drives me, and that's what I hope to
3:50
pass on. May the Lord bless you
