~ A tough protective covering, something serving as a safeguard or protection ~
"The Apostle Paul in Romans 13:12
wrote, "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore
cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the Armour of Light.
Consider if you will that the Darkness that the Apostle Paul is talking about here is being dirty or filthy with grime. And that the Armour of Light that he is talking about is putting on your best dress clothes. Most people wouldn’t think about putting on their best dress clothes over dirty grimy clothes. Therefore, one must first take off the dirty grimy clothes, wash up and then, put on their dress clothes.
In order to be an effective Member of the Body of Christ every Saint must be willing to relinquish “put off” ALL Sin “the Lust of the Eyes, the Lust of the Flesh and the Pride of Life” and then, put on the Armour of Light which is nothing less than living by the Written Word of God with the help of the Holy Spirit.
In Proverbs 6:23. King Solomon wrote, "For the Commandment is a Lamp; and the Law is Light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:"
The Commandment of God is the Vessel that contains the Law of God “the Light.” Without natural light mankind walking in darkness is likely to stumble and fall. In the same manner if a Child of God does not walk in “observe” the Law of God, they will stumble and sin.
Therefore, in order for a Child of God to be able to properly maneuver in life they will need the Law of God “YHWH” as their only source of guidance ~
We read in 2nd Corinthians 6:3-10, that the Apostle Paul wrote, "Giving no offence in anything, that the Ministry be not blamed: *But in all things approving ourselves as the Ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, *In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; *By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, *By the Word of Truth, by the Power of God, by the Armour of Righteousness on the right hand and on the left, *By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; *As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; *As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."
The Apostle Paul is warning the Saints that they are to be careful not to offend because a brother or sister offended is hard to be won, Proverbs 18:19. When people are unkind and impatient they, are more likely to offend others. However, when they are kind and patient their life shines forth in all goodness.
In James 1:20 we read, "For the wrath of man worketh not the Righteousness of God."
"Anger rest in the bosom of fool", Ecclesiastes 7:9 - Anger can cause hurt physically and Spiritually. Therefore, we need to guard against becoming angry.
The Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 59:17 wrote, "For He put on Righteousness as a Breastplate, and an Helmet of Salvation upon His Head; and He put on the Garments of vengeance for Clothing, and was clad with Zeal as a Cloak."
In the above Scripture Isaiah is talking about Jesus. Jesus is our example and we are to follow His lead and do as He did and speak as He spoke in order to live a Righteous Life.
Note: “Vengeance belongeth to Him, YHWH” ~
If we enact vengeance on someone, we are in a way stealing from God and we surely don’t want to be stealing from Him.
Usually parents are better at properly defending or repaying those that offend or harm their children than they are at doing it themselves. In like manner God “YHWH” is better at defending and taking care of His Children “the Saints” than they are doing it themselves. So, let’s leave vengeance in His capable hands.
In Romans 10:10-11, the Apostle Paul wrote, "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. *For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed."
Becoming a Child of God “YHWH” is a pro-active process. Jesus did His part by living a Sinless Life, Shedding His Precious Blood on the cross of Calvary and Rising Again to ever Intercede to the Father “YHWH” for us.
King David in Psalms 91:4 wrote, "He shall cover thee with His Feathers, and under His Wings shalt thou trust: His Truth shall be thy Shield and Buckler."
Jesus being the Light that darkness cannot approach to is the only protection that the Saints need. Jesus, like a mother hen will do everything in His Power to protect the Saints. And Jesus said, “All Power is given to Him."
St. Matthew 28:18
In Psalms 119:142 King David wrote, "Thy Righteousness is an Everlasting Righteousness, and thy Law is Light."
As long as the Saints observe the Law of God they will not walk in darkness or continue sin.
We read in Romans 10:17, where the Apostle Paul wrote, "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."
Note: “Jesus is the Word of God; Jesus is the Word made flesh therefore, Jesus is the Faith!” ~
In order to be an effective hearer of God’s Holy Written Word, the Saints MUST observe or walk in the Truth of His Holy Written Word, the Bible.
The Apostle Paul in Galatians 3:24 wrote, "Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."
Let’s take a moment and talk about the Law being our Schoolmaster. Some folk want to say because the Law was our Schoolmaster, we no longer need to follow or observe it. But this assumption is far from the Truth.
When we were children growing up we went to school to learn reading, writing and arithmetic along with some other subjects too. The fact that we went to school to learn does not negate or do away with that which was taught and learned. In fact, we use that which we were taught in our every-day lives. A person goes to school to learn and in living, they use that which they have learned.
In Ephesians 6:16, the Apostle Paul wrote, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
Without the Written Word of God the Saints are left naked and bare without any protection. But with the Written Word of God the Saints have a Promise from God “YHWH” that His Holy and Righteous Son Jesus by the Power of the Holy Ghost will Protect and Keep them from all harm and loss. Praise His Holy and Righteous Name for Ever-More!
In James 2:20 we read, "But wilt thou know oh vain man, that faith without works is dead."
If a person has financial wealth and does not use it to relieve a financial problem, their wealth is without profit. In like manner when a person says that they are a Christian “Saint” and continues to live in sin, their profession of Salvation is without merit.
The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:17 wrote, "And take the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."
Note: “These are the weapons or our warfare” ~
A helmet is used to protect a person’s head, the place where thought and decisions are made for the entire body. Having the Helmet of Salvation on will bring a person’s thoughts and decisions into line with the Written Word of God.
A sword is used as a means of defence. In like manner, the Written Word of God is the only means by which a Child of God “Saint” can effectively resist the temptations of satan. Jesus, Himself, when He was in the desert alone and weak from the lack of physical food, used the Written Word of God when He was tempted by the devil.
King David in Psalms 42:10 wrote, "As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?"
“Words are like a sharp sword.” Words have the ability to cut and bring harm, hurt and death. Words can also have the ability to bring forth healing and life.
We read in Hebrews 4:12, "For the Word of God is quick “alive”, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
That word “Quick” means that it is Alive. It was the Word “Jesus” of God “YHWH” that took a rib from Adam and there-with made Eve “woman.” It is the Word of God that produces Power. It is that same Word that knows ALL things. Without the Word of God the world as we know it could not exist.
The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:15 wrote, "And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace."
If you have ever worn a pair of shoes or other foot-ware that was too small for your foot, you no doubt found out that doing so not only caused discomfort to your feet but to your entire body if worn too long.
A Righteous person “Saint” shows forth Peace because they are peaceable, James 3:18. However, a person whose way were evil does not experience true peace nor, does anyone else if they are around them for very long.
In 1st Corinthians 14:33, the Apostle Paul wrote, "For God is not the author of confusion, but of Peace, as in all churches of the Saints."
God does not want His Children to be confused therefore, His Word is perfectly simple to those that Believe. "Every good and perfect thing cometh down from the Father of Lights, with whom is no variableness." James 1:17
In James 3:18 we read, "And the Fruit of Righteousness is sown in Peace of them that make Peace."
If you are a person of peace, you will show forth peace as a tree is known by its fruit. St. Luke 6:44
The Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 11:5 wrote, "And Righteousness shall be the Girdle of His Loins, and Faithfulness the Girdle of His Reins."
Righteousness is living in and by the Written Word of God and living right is that which is needed in order to lead, guide and direct the life of the Believer “Saint.”
The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:14 wrote, "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with Truth, and having on the Breastplate of Righteousness;"
The greatest pulling power of physical strength that mankind possesses is from the loins “around the waist.” It is easier to pull a heavy load from having a rope wrapped around the loins than from the shoulder or just by the hands.
We read in St. John 17:17, "Sanctify them through thy Truth, thy Word is Truth."
The Saints are set apart by the Word of Truth, Jesus, the Written Word of God “YHWH.” It is by obeying the Truth that a person is known of Truth.
In 1st Peter 1:13, the Apostle Peter wrote, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ;"
We need to gird up the loins of our minds with the Written Word of Truth, the Bible, God’s Holy Word. A continual daily feeding on the Word of God is what is needed to sustain Life.
The Apostle Paul in Romans 12:19 wrote, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for It Is Written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
God’s Armour is what the Saints need in order to be able to win the battles of life that come their way. Therefore, put on the Whole Armour of God so that you will be able to stand against all the wiles of the devil.
In closing let’s repeat: Isaiah 59:17, "For He put on Righteousness as a Breastplate, and an Helmet of Salvation upon His Head; and He put on the Garments of Vengeance for Clothing, and was Clad with Zeal as a Cloak."
Because Vengeance belongeth Him.
Derwood A. Stewart, Minister
House of Prayer Sabbath Ministries
Comments? Email Us: hope@preachersteacher.org
