My dear Friend, Having spoken, in my last letter, of the Christian’s position in heavenly places, through his death and resurrection with Christ, I will now endeavor to explain the several pieces of the Christian’s armor, by means of which, that position is practically maintained.
Human wisdom, and human reason, are of no avail in this warfare. Such weapons present no resistance to the wiles and darts of Satan. Our place, with Christ in heaven, can only be maintained and enjoyed through the use of the armor with which God has furnished us. The sharp arrows of the enemy would instantly strike through a merely human defense. Nothing short of “the whole armor of God” will enable you to turn aside triumphantly the subtle wiles and the poisoned arrows of hell, and to make good, in experience, your inheritance on high.
The apostle, first of all, observe, turns your eye to the Lord Himself. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might;” and, secondly, to “the whole armor of God.” (Ver. 10,11.) This is all-important. Watch against being, for a single moment, at any time, ungirded, and pray that you may be kept from the snare of self-confidence. You may see the fearful results of the former in David, and of the latter in Peter. Never loiter on the housetop in carnal ease, when your presence is demanded in the battlefield, or you may have to repent it all your earthly days. And never seek to warm yourself, however cold the night, by an enemy’s fire, and thus expose yourself in the enemy’s camp. Such self-indulgence gives the adversary an immense advantage over us, and is unworthy of the soldier of Jesus Christ, who is called to endure hardness. Always be at your post, and never forget, that you ax in as enemy’s country, where foes innumerable abound. A soldier should never think of his own ease when the enemy is in sight.
The great object of Satan is to lead us to act inconsistently with our heavenly calling, and to pursue a course, as if we still belonged to earth, and had no place or portion, at present, in the heavenlies. On the other hand, our great object must be, in all respects, to act consistently with the blessed reality of our present oneness with Christ, the exalted Head of His body the Church. We have not, blessed be His name, to combat with enemies in order to gain an entrance and to obtain a position there. These are eternally-settled questions in Christ. We are accepted in the Beloved, and joint-heirs with Him. Still, we have to war and fight, that we may keep our ground in spite of such powerful foes. Israel’s title to the promised land, under Joshua, was clear enough, nevertheless, they had to combat with the Canaanites, in order to make good their title in actual possession. And for this they were strengthened, by first feeding on the old corn of the land. But “we wrestle not against flesh and blood,” as Israel did in Canaan, “but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.” (Ver. 12, 13.) And our strength for this spiritual warfare, is to feed on Christ, the Risen Man, in heavenly places.
I will now, as simply and briefly as possible, speak of the character and uses of the different pieces of the Christian’s armor. And may He who has gone before us through every scene of conflict, as the Captain of our salvation, and who knows every movement of the enemy, train His young soldiers to follow in His footsteps on earth, while their hearts are maintained in communion with Himself in heaven.
1. THE GIRDLE OF TRUTH. “Having your loins girt about with truth.” As I noticed in my first letter, there is a beautiful order and connection in the different parts of God’s armor. Our own personal, spiritual condition is the first thing. We must be all right with God ourselves, before we can stand up with good courage before our enemies. Hence, the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace—all go before the activities of the shield and sword. The thoughts and affections must be governed by truth—the conscience kept good both towards God and man, and the general walk characterized by the peaceful spirit of the gospel, before we can have that confidence in God, which makes us valiant before the face of every foe. Carefully note these moral links of your armor, and see that you understand them. Remember this,—fighting is a practical thing, especially when you have to combat with Satan. Mere theories are assailable at every point.
We may learn something from the use of the girdle, in those parts of the world where Judea is situated. John the Baptist wore a “leathern girdle.” It is a band, or belt, used for gathering up the loose, flowing folds of the garment, and fastening them firmly to the waist, so that the person may not be entangled, or hindered, in such exercises as walking, running, or working. It is also used to strengthen the loins, and to give firmness to the whole man. Now, you can easily see the character and use of the Christian’s girdle. Is it not the application of the truth as it is in Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, to our thoughts, affections, and conscience? If you would walk and work well for the Lord, and be a good soldier of the cross, there must be the constant application of the truth to the entire “inner man.” All the outgoings of the heart must be kept, as it were, within the sacred belt of holy scripture. And further, remember, that this great and needed work of girding, at the outset, can only be done in communion with God, and by the power of His Holy Spirit. There is no better safeguard than the glance of His eye. To allow your thoughts, affections, and desires to fly loose, like the flowing robes of an Oriental, would greatly hinder your own spiritual growth, unfit you for active service, and constantly expose you to the cutting wounds of the enemy. Often has the Christian smarted keenly, from gratifying the desires of the heart and mind, on objects which were not sanctioned by the word of God. Oh! that the grace and truth, which came by Jesus Christ, might encircle and garrison our whole inner man.
From the constant application of the truth as it is in Jesus, you will find advantage and blessing to your own soul, far beyond what you have any conception of. You will soon discover that there are many things in your own heart and ways, which are entirely opposed to the mind of the blessed Lord—to the grace and truth which came by Him. These things, having been detected by the word, must be condemned and given up. And, on the other hand, what you see revealed in Christ for you, is to be received, loved, submitted to, and delighted in: thus allowing that blessed One to have power and authority over you, in place of your own alien will, and foolish desires. I know of nothing more dangerous, in this deceiving world, than for young Christians to allow their affections to fly loosely and carelessly around them. Stay, my loved brother, until you get home to heaven. There, you may safely unbuckle your belt, and let them have the wide range of the realms of the blest. You cannot find a wrong object for them there. But till then, oh! keep them reined in with a firm hand. Watch and pray that you may never get beyond the sacred circle of the truth, as it is in Jesus. Let your will be subject to His, and let your affections be gathered up to, and centered on, Him now. “Set your affections on things above, where Christ sitteth, not on things on the earth.” If the eye, the ear, the heart, were more filled with Christ, oh! what happy fruits would appear in our many young disciples.
Watch narrowly, my young brother, the direction of your eye; for rest assured, that the heart will follow the eye, and the feet will follow the heart; oh! look to Jesus. Gaze on Him. All loveliness is there. The power that Satan has over souls, through getting the eye turned to the tinseled attractions of this world, is immense. Let me give you one criterion by which to test everything in this gilded scene; especially if you may be inclined to think about it, or to desire it. It is this. Always ask yourself this question, before ungirding the loins of your mind, and allowing your affections to flow: “Can I count on the sympathies of Christ with this object of affection or desire? Is it what He could give me out of His own hand? “If not, think no more about it. Be decided. Pull your belt yet tighter. Allow no play to the will and affections, without the assurance of the sympathies of your blessed Lord, and heavenly Bridegroom, to whom you are now espoused. Oh! that our affections might flow more fully and freely around His heart—the native fountain of all love, grace, truth, holiness, goodness, and patient kindness towards us, notwithstanding all our foolishness. May we only love what He loves, and care for what He cares for. Content, until He come, to receive everything from His hand alone. The affianced bride of heaven should spurn the offers and favors of the prince of darkness.
2. THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. “Having on the breastplate of righteousness.” Let me first of all draw your attention, to what seems to be a common error as to this part of the armor. It is generally spoken of as the righteousness of God in which we stand justified in His presence. This is a mistake. The breastplate is practical righteousness—the righteousness of a walk, which necessarily follows the loins being girded with truth. When the movements of the inner man are guided by truth, the movements of the outer man will be practically right. Christ Himself, the Risen Man, is our righteousness before God and He being always there, our righteousness is always there, and our peace is settled forever in God’s sight. There is no conflict there. The assurance of this, fills the warrior’s heart with true valor; and is the foundation of all his victories. Nevertheless, a holy walk, a good conscience, is our breastplate before the enemy. It covers a vital part. It is always needed. To forget it, is like forgetting that we have enemies. “Herein,” says the Apostle, “do I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.” Acts 24:1616And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. (Acts 24:16).
A good conscience makes a man brave, both naturally and spiritually. A man fears nothing when his conscience is good; but bow often has even the falling leaf startled, and filled with fear, the guilty conscience. When we have done wrong, we are afraid of being detected, and exposed before others. Hence, we are timid—afraid to stand up for truth and godliness, lest we be assailed on our own weak point. We allow things to pass that we know to be wrong. We become unfaithful, the conscience gets bad, Satan accuses and triumphs. We get out of communion with God. We are unhappy. Our strength is gone. We are drawn into Satan’s snare, and sorely buffeted by him. And now, under such circumstances, until there be full confession before the Lord, and the soul restored to happy communion with Him, there will be no strength to stand up against the enemy. But oh! how different things are with the soul, when we are kept in happy communion with God—enjoying, and maintaining the truth as it is in Jesus, and delighting in the ways of practical godliness. Then have we good courage before men and before all the powers of darkness.
The blood of Jesus Christ which cleanses from all sin, gives us a perfect conscience before God. A holy walk gives us a good conscience, a breastplate of righteousness before all our enemies. And this leads us to the third thing, namely:—3. THE FEET SHOD. “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” On this part of the armor, I think it will be unnecessary to say much. It fits well with the first two. The three parts go beautifully together. When the inward movements of the heart, and the outward conduct of the life, are governed by the grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ, the general walk is sure to be characterized by the peaceful spirit of the gospel. And here, again, let me observe, that the peace spoken of in this passage, is different from the peace that was made by the blood of the cross. That is made, blessed be God, and can never be unmade. Nothing can ever disturb the believer’s peace with God. Christ Himself is our peace, and He is in the presence of God for us. We may get out of communion with God, as, alas, we sometimes do, and then we lose the sweet enjoyment of our peace with God; but the peace that was made by the blood of the cross, which put away forever all that was against us, can never be broken. The blood can never lose its power. And the more fully we enjoy this glorious truth, the more habitually shall we manifest a spirit of peace before men. When we are out of communion, we are unhappy. Easily troubled in our own spirit, and soon angry with others. Then Satan finds us defenseless, and an easy prey to his subtle wiles.
Remember the word of the Lord which says, “Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matt. 5:99Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9).) In all your movements, be sure that your feet are shod with the gospel of peace, then you will be sure to carry peace with you wherever you go. In every scene through which you pass, let the sweet odors of the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, be richly diffused; but in no place let its fragrance be more plentifully shed around you than in your own house at home. So shall your walk be divinely guarded on all sides.
4. THE SHIELD OF FAITH. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” The object of the shield is to defend the whole man. Hence the meaning is, over all, the shield of faith. But this is not the faith, observe, that receives the testimony of God about Christ, and the salvation of our souls, and by which we are justified. Although, we may say, it is founded on the revelation of God in Christ to us as sinners, and necessarily flows from it. The shield of faith, then, is full, unwavering confidence in God—the God of love. We know and confide in Him, who, because He loved us, “spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things.” (Rom. 8:3232He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32).) In the divine reasoning of the apostle, every lesser blessing is included in the greater. He who has given His Son for us, will never fail nor forsake us.
All the grace and goodness that has reached us, flows from His heart. And conducted by these streams of grace, we rise to their native source, and there securely rest. Thus brought into His presence, in the full credit of Christ, no fiery darts of the enemy can ever reach us there. This is our sure defense, behind such a shield, the soul can triumphantly say, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Rom. 8:3131What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).
It is also important to understand, that the fiery darts of Satan, are not his temptations to lead us astray in our conduct-they are quite different. Frequently, the most tender walking, serious Christians, are greatly troubled with them. Only last evening, I saw a well-known, dear young Christian in great distress of mind. On inquiring what was the matter, I learned that a dear and loved one had been removed by death about a fortnight ago. A few days after the funeral was over, when she was feeling the loss very much, and perhaps brooding over it too much, the thought came into her mind, Can this be love? Can this be kindness in God to me? This wicked insinuation of Satan, in place of being instantly repelled with the assurance of God’s unchanging love and favor, was listened to. She began to ask, as many do, in such circumstances, “the reason why?” This is always wrong. Did Christ ever ask the reason why? Self-judgment under affliction, and wishing to know the reason why God thus deals with us, are widely different things. Faith will always justify God, and repose in Him.
Here, you perceive, the shield of the young soldier was let down, and the fiery darts of the enemy flew thick and fast into her soul. “Oh,” she said to me, with many sobs and tears. “I have had hard thoughts of God these two days; I know it is wrong, but I cannot help it. Oh! I am rebelling.” Such is real agony. I referred to the latter part of Rom. 8, and similar portions, and left her somewhat relieved. Pray that you may be kept from ever dropping your shield—from ever losing confidence in God’s love and goodness, whatever may be your trial. Imagine for a moment, what state Peter would have been in after his fall, had he thought that God was against him. He would have been without a refuge, and in dark despair. But Christ had prayed for him, and his faith failed not. Ah! dear brother, this is the secret of our faith abiding: “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” Luke 22:3232But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:32).
The only safeguard against such attacks of the enemy, is to have the soul well established in grace—the grace that shines in the work of redemption, and to know our place abidingly in God’s presence, in all the acceptableness of His own beloved Son. Then should we know our God and Father to be unto us what He says to Abraham, “Fear not; I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.”
5. THE HELMET OF SALVATION. Believing that you are now happily acquainted with this part of the armor, I will not dwell upon it. Besides, my letter is already long; so I will do little more than name the remaining parts. If the shield be what God is for us, the helmet is what God has done for us. It is the known and enjoyed salvation of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a truth of immense practical importance, like all the other parts of the Christian’s armor. Uncertainty on this point would greatly enfeeble us, and expose us to the assaults of the enemy. Christ has accomplished it for us. “It is finished.” Jesus says it; we believe it. So that we may well hold up the head in the day of battle. No weapon of the enemy can ever pierce, or even scar, our helmet. “The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.” (Psalm 118:1414The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. (Psalm 118:14).) He who was on the cross for us, is now on the throne for us. The grave is empty, and heaven is filled with the glories of the Risen Man.
6. THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT. “And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” We are furnished with only one offensive weapon; the other parts of the armor refer to our condition and defense. This is the only one of active energy. The sword is the symbol of that by which questions are settled. The nations of the earth appeal to the sword that is used by carnal force in settling their questions. The Christian has to learn to appeal to the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, in settling all questions that come before him. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isa. 8:2020To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (Isaiah 8:20).) The blessed Lord, always perfect in every scene, is our example in the use of the Spirit’s sword. Here, you have both example and precept. All through the scriptures, and especially in the psalms, you may learn the many uses and applications of the word of God; but above all in using the word of God as a weapon of offensive and defensive warfare, follow the Lord’s example, study the way He used and applied the word in the temptation, and all through the gospels, when in conversation with the caviling Jews. There is one thing, however, I must tell you, that is absolutely necessary to a good swordsman; it is this:—Unless you are walking in communion with God, and in the power of an ungrieved Spirit, you cannot even hold your sword aright, far less use it. It is only by the light and power of the Spirit that you can lay your hand on the right passage at the right time; but when guided by the Spirit, a single verse, like the pebble from the brook, will slay the mightiest and proudest foe. It is the Spirit’s sword. He uses it by us when we are walking in communion. “If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine.” (John 7:1717If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17).) You may have often heard a person quote, or misquote, a passage, which confuted himself, and gave to his opponent the victory. This is like a man grasping his sword by the wrong end, and thereby wounding and disabling himself for further conflict.
7. PRAYING ALWAYS. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” This remarkable verse points out the true position of a successful warrior, namely, dependence upon God—intercession for all saints—always, and “in the Spirit”—the power of the Holy Ghost. We never feel much interest in people until we pray for them. If we have been at the pains to water our plants in the evening, we will expect to find them looking fresh in the morning: thus, loving all saints, united in the one dear uniting name, our sympathies flow out as wide as the sympathies of Christ, and our prayers and intercessions flow in a channel wide as the circle of the Holy Spirit’s action in the body of Christ.
And, oh! my dear brother, remember that all this praying for brethren, and all this fighting with enemies, can only be maintained in a spirit of entire dependence upon God. “Praying always.” God is our strength—our all; we can do nothing without Him. Oh! how complete, how practical, is the armor of God—the panoply of heaven! The thoughts and affections well ordered by the truth, the practice right, and the ways peace. This sound moral condition of soul keeps the enemy at a distance, and leads the heart into happy nearness to God, and strengthens its confidence in Him, which is a shield over all. The head is covered with the helmet of God’s salvation, present oneness, in the heavenlies, with the Risen Jesus. The word, as a sharp two-edged sword, used in the wisdom and power of the Spirit, puts the enemy to flight. The spiritual warrior, thus secure in the strong tower of entire dependence on God, he can look out on the movements of the enemy, and abide in prayer and supplication for all saints, in the happy assurance of his own final victory over every foe, and of the indestructible unity of the church which is the body of Christ, and the Bride of the Lamb.