The Whole Armor of God, Part 5

Today I continue my series of articles commenting on the concept and principles involved in the Armor of God, which the apostle Paul described in the New Testament. This is the topic of the Sunday school lesson I am currently teaching.

The Armor of God is a Matter of the Mind

The Armor of God is not physical but mental and operates by God’s power.

It is in the mind. The mind being both the brain and the soul and spirit: material and nonmaterial. This is not simply a situation of thinking positive though thinking about things of God is certainly positive.

We wrestle not against flesh and blood (physical), but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual forces of wickedness in high places (nonphysical). (Eph. 6:12)

Jesus said, “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” (Matthew 15:19)

The author of Proverbs wrote, “As he thinketh in his heart so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7). What a person thinks is who they really are. Invariably this comes out in their speech for from a person’s heart the mouth speaks.

“God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen. 6:5). When the peoples’ thinking had become only continually evil, then God destroyed all life on earth.

Paul wrote, “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice unto God. Holy, acceptable unto Him, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may be able to prove what is that perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1, 2). By putting God’s word into our mind and thinking on it our lives are transformed as we live in obedience to it.

The Whole Armor of God, Part 4

Today I continue my series of articles commenting on the concept and principles involved in the Armor of God, which the apostle Paul described in the New Testament. This is the topic of the Sunday school lesson I am currently teaching.

Some of the Works of Darkness

Darkness is the absence of light.

Light shines brightest in the darkness. Have you ever noticed that while driving in daylight the headlights on the auto do not light the road ahead while at night the headlights illuminate the road just before the auto? This allows you to drive forward with confidence and safety. In darkness you cannot see where you are going, or where you are in relation to your surroundings. Jesus said, “If the blind lead the blind they will both wind up in the ditch (Matt 15:14).” Even, if you can see, and you are in the dark, you cannot see where you are going. In the same way, doing the works of darkness makes one oblivious to the consequences of one’s actions.

Light requires energy and is itself a source of energy. In the sun and in the stars nuclear energy is produced as the contents of the stars are compressed by its gravity. Energy is given off as light. Headlights in an auto give off light as electric power is provided from an energy source of either the batteries or the alternator. This light is a particle of matter known as a photon and moves in a wave motion. A photo electric cell can convert the energy from these photons into electrical energy. I use it with my calculators and do not need to use batteries. Darkness does not make this possible.

Satan and his fallen angels are called rulers of darkness of this world (Ephesians 6:12). They are said to have power in that a person who becomes saved is transferred from the power of darkness into the kingdom of God’s Son (Colossians 1:13). Satan and his angels have the absence of God and they do not want anything to do with God. Nor do they want anyone else to have anything to do with God. Thus, spiritual darkness has the power to enslave a person and destroy them. Darkness has nothing of God in it nor does it have the ability to save one from hell.

The works of darkness are, then, doing what is sanctioned by Satan and his fallen angels and is contrary to the character of God. People refuse to go to Jesus for salvation because they love darkness rather than light (John 3:19). God is light and in Him there is no darkness (I John 1:5). On the other hand, Satan has only darkness and no light at all.

Consider some of the deeds of darkness which people do.

Proverbs 6:16-19 

1. Feet that run swiftly into mischief. One way of producing mischief is through laws, regulations and the courts.

2. A proud look

3. A lying tongue

4. Sowing discord among brethren

5. A false witness

6. Wicked imaginations 

7. Shedding of innocent blood. Abortion, and embryonic stem cell research both shed innocent blood.

Ephesians 4:27-5:3

1. Stealing

2. Lying

3. Sinning while angry

4. Bitterness.

5. Wrath

6. Anger clamor

7. Evil speaking 

8. Malice

9. Deceitful lusts

10. Giving place to the devil 

11. Corrupt communication

12. Fornication

13. Uncleanness

14. Covetousness

15. Foolish talking

16. Jesting

17. Whoremongering 

Leviticus 19:11

1. Dealing falsely 

Leviticus 19:17

1. Hating your brother

Leviticus 19:31

1. Consulting people with familiar spirits and wizards

Leviticus 18:22

1. Homosexuality

Leviticus 18:23

1. Bestiality

These are just some of the actions and behaviors which we must rid ourselves of in order to put on the Whole Armor of God. God will help you if you ask Him.