God's Empowering Armor - Part III

“The Armor of God is an image of a power that protects!”

We are continuing with Part 3 of our series, "God's Empowering Armor." If you haven't checked out the first two episodes of this series, I recommend you do so now before continuing with today's episode. We've been looking deeply into a topic found in the book of Ephesians where Paul talks about the "Armor of God." In our last Episode we looked at Ephesians 6:11-12.

As a quick refresher, when Paul wrote about the Armor of God to the Ephesians, he was referring back to Isaiah 59:15-17.

And that the big picture of Isaiah 59:15-17 is about Truth. In Hebrew it is the word, emet, which is better understood as Truthfulness.

This is connected to Ephesians 6:10 when Paul used three Hebrew terms to describe strength/or power, which is about God's mode of judging humanity; on the foundation of stringency and adherence to God's teachings.

Truth, or Truthfulness can only come about when we take the time and make the effort to know, too grow, and too go out into the world to live out God's teachings as our guide for living a life empowered by Him.

This focus on truth is even more important because Paul tells the people of Ephesus, "'Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, too stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness...' [Ephesians 6:13-14]

Finally, we've reached our destination and the first two garments of the Armor of God is mentioned here. Hold on, let's not get ahead of ourselves quite yet. I want to point out something very important.

Paul has used a specific term three times here in Ephesians while speaking on the Armor of God. This one important word is...Stand.

Remember, we want to see the Big Picture. Research and study of the Bible is like the Archaeology of Literature.

Just as an archaeologist at a site must slowly and methodically brush away all of the dirt to reveal every stone and item found there, we must do the same when looking at passages of scripture.

Because in archaeology, many times the simplest of stones, brick, or even the most insignificant item found can reveal what happened at that site during that time.

Here, this one word Stand gives us great insight into what Paul is about to share with his readers. In Greek it is the word histémi [στῆτε] that means to stand ready or prepared; one who in the midst of the fight holds his position against an enemy, to persist, continue, or Persevere.

The Hebrew equivalent for this Greek word is `amad [עָמַד] which means to stand, remain, or endure.

To persevere means to continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty, while the word endure means to continue in the same state, to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding.

I believe that Paul is encouraging his readers to do both. To both persevere and to endure whatever comes their way. i also believe he is teaching them that by having the armor of God they can do this.

This isn’t about taking a stand against someone who doesn’t believe the same as you. This is about personal growth.

It's about Not Giving Up! How many times in life has something come your way that pushes you back, weighs you down, and just feels like your going no where?

Consistency and Perseverance are keys to succeeding in life. If you remain consistent in your growth with learning Gods Word - i.e. Truth [emet] or Truthfulness- then you will begin to see your life change.

Last year, I made a dedicated decision to live a healthier lifestyle. This meant eating healthier foods, monitoring my caloric intake and macronutrients [i.e. protein, carbohydrates, and fats]. It meant organizing my life in order to introduce a consistent workout regiment to also aide my new lifestyle.

I also needed to be healthy in my mental capacity. Becoming mindful of my beliefs, thoughts, and emotions. And this all began with me learning how to accomplish this. If you wish to live a healthier spiritual life, then you must become consistent with this area of growth in your life and you must persevere. The main reason so many struggle with living a healthier physical and mental life is because the do not persevere nor remain consistent with it.

This could be no more true with our spiritual health. I encourage you to begin to organize your life and introduce into it a regular regimen of study, and practice of living out Truthfulness, of living our God's teachings to let Him guide you so that you will see your life change and live an Empowered Life.

Join me next week as we continue this series on the Armor of God and take our first look at the first piece of this armor.

Join our newest group entitled "Empowered" and take that next step!