*TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION*

Take the helmet of salvation~Ephesians6:17

The Roman soldier's helmet was fashioned from bronze or iron. The helmet protected his skull and neck from the en enemy's weapons and from falling debris. Two hinged cheek-pieces protected the side of the soldier's face. At the time of Christ, a crest made of horse hair was placed on the top of the helmet. By AD 60,the centurion's plumes were dyed different colors to allow soldier's to distinguish quickly between the rank of different officers. Home

The helmet of salvation points to God's victory over the forces of evil. Jesus'/Yeshua' death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead provides the believers freedom from the bondage of sin, and gives eternal life with God in heaven.

A helmet is protective gear worn of the head. Helmets were among the oldest forms of combat protection, and are known to have been worn by Greets, and Romans, throughout the Middle Ages and up to the end of the 1600s by many combatants. Helmets protected the head from cutting blows with swords, and flying arrows.The head must be protected at all times from the evil attacks that comes at your eyes, ears, and mouth, all which are windows to your soul. God wants us under His protection of knowing that you are saved. What you hear, say, and see enters into your heart and soul and produces significant results in your life.

~Mark 4:26-29 NIV~ He also said,"This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.Night and day, whether he sleeps or get up, the seed sprouts and grows, thought he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain-first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come. The Word of God is the seed of life. Your soul, your heart, is fertile ground and will produce a harvest from whatever seed is planted there whether it is good, bad, known or unknown~Mark 4:27~"And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how".
   THIS SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE OF PLANTING AND HARVESTING IS THE REASON YOU MUST BE ON CONSTANT GUARD AS TO WHAT YOU SAY, HEAR, AND SEE. IF WE ARE NOT CONSTANTLY ON GUARD, THE ENEMY CAN COME IN AND SOW DEVASTATING  SEEDS INTO OUR LIVES. THE ENEMY WILL SOW SEEDS THAT WILL NOT PRODUCE GOOD FRUIT BUT WEEDS AND HARMFUL THORNS. Jesus/Yeshua gave another great illustration of sowing in ~Matthew 13:24-29 NIV~


 The helmet of salvation. A helmet protected the soldier’s head and brain—the seat of intellect. Our Christian hope is compared to a helmet because it protects our mind. (1 Thessalonians 5:8) Although we have made our mind over by means of accurate knowledge of God’s Word, we are still weak, imperfect humans. Our mind can easily become corrupted. Goals of this system of things can distract us or even replace our God-given hope. (Romans 7:18; 12:2) The Devil tried in vain to sidetrack Jesus/Yeshua by offering him “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.” (Matthew 4:8) But Jesus flatly rejected the offer, and Paul said of him: “For the joy that was set before him [Jesus/Yeshua] endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”—Hebrews 12:2.
For us to put on "the helmet of salvation " is to, have the assurance that Jesus/Yeshua has saved you, not because of any good deeds, but because of Jesus,Yeshua mercy.~2 Timothy 1:9~

Knowing that every believer s a "new creation," no longer living for selfish purposes but living for the Lord.~2 Corinthians 5:17~

Accept that you are in a battle and will be persecuted for believing in Christ. Keep the faith and you will be blessed.~Matthew 5:11, 12~

Look forward in being delivered into eternal life.~John 3:16~

Know that God will forgive his followers when they fall and ask for forgiveness.~1 John 1:9~faithful and just. Here the phrase is virtually a single concept [faithful-and-just]. It indicates that the God's response toward those who confess their sins will be in accordance with His gracious commitment to His people [see Psalms 143:1 Zechariah 8:8]. To His promise to forgive [see Jeremiah 31:34; Micah 7:18-20; Hebrew 10:22-23]. will forgive us. Will provide the forgiveness that restores the communion with God that had been interrupted by sin [as requested in the Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:12].

~Ephesians 1:13-14~And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal,the Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of His glory. And you also. Probably refers to the majority of the Ephesians, who were Gentiles. marked...with a seal. In those days a seal denoted ownership.

~1 Thessalonians5:8~But since we belong to the day, let us be self controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. The day, a reference to the light that characterizes Christians, perhaps it refers also to the coming of Christ. Paul also uses the metaphor of armor in ~Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians. 6:7; 10:4; Ephesians 6:13-17~He does not consistently attach a particular virtue to each piece of armor; it is the general ides of equipment for battle that is pictured.

Isaiah 59:17 speaks of God putting on the helmet of salvation when he goes out to battle against wickedness. So this helmet of salvation is not our salvation, it is from God. It is his gift to us at the moment we believe in Jesus for eternal life.
The helmet of salvation is God’s helmet which he has given to us, for our use, as His soldiers in this war against spiritual forces.~~






 

~~By PastorJack@ Warriors For Christ~~

*FEET PREPARED WITH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE*

FEET PREPARED WITH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
And your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace~Ephesians 6:15~

Marching was an essential part of a soldier's life, and no soldier could march far without sturdy shoe. Even before the Romans era, the breaking of a soldier's shoe was a metaphor weakness or defeat.~Isaiah 5:27 The Roman soldier's shoes were fashioned from thick leather and studded through the soles with hobnails.

The studded soles enabled the soldier to stand firm. They kept the soldier's feet from slipping in battle. Without his shoes, a Roman soldier could not maintain his position against his enemy's.

The Greek word rendered "preparation" or "readiness" in~Ephesians 6:15~can also be translated "prepared foundation"-in other words, a firm basis for a soldier's feet.

The Gospel of Peace is the good news that we can have peace with God. Before we turned to Jesus/Yeshua we
wanted to live for ourselves. We did not care about God plans. We were in conflict. But God loves us and made a way of being reconciled with him nd living in peace.

The Lord wants believers to live in peace and unity with one another. ~Thessalonians 5:13; John 13:35~This peace is the confidence that God has everything under control.

In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belong to all the others.~Romans 12:5~

*"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present you requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"~Philippians 4:6-7~

**Father, in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua, I confess that Your Word will come forth boldly and accurately during our walk with You. I also pray that the people who hear Your Word will not be able to resist the wisdom, inspiration, and calling of Your Spirit. As Your Word comes forth, it caries the anointing of the Holy Spirit that will cause people to open their spiritual eyes and ears and turn from darkness to the light. Give us words that will break the power of Satan on the unsaved [lost]. I pray as those who speak Your Word will be filled with Your anointing and full of power. Making it active, operative, energizing, and effective, being sharper than any two-edged sword. I believe that every need of every person will be met spiritually, physically, mentally, and financially. Thank You Father, and praise You that these petitions will come to pass , in Jesus/Yeshua Holy Name I pray.**~~

~James 5:16~Matthew 18:19~Ephesians 6:19~Acts 6:10~Ephesians 1:18~Acts 26:18~Acts 20:32~Hebrews 4:12~Philippians 4:19~1 Kings 8:59,60~




 
~~By PastorJack@ Warriors For Christ~~

*THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS*

*THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS*

Putting on the breastplate of righteous~Ephesians 6:14~

The Roman soldier would have fastened the breastplate around his chest. There were two types of breastplates. The first type of breastplate was fashioned by joining several broad, curved metal bands together using leather thongs. the other was a type of chain mail, constructed by linking small metal rings together until they formed a vest.

Both of these breastplates protected the soldier's vital organs. Not wearing one or the other in battle would mean that an arrow could easily reach a soldier's chest, piercing his heart or lungs.

~Isaiah 59~says the Lord puts on "righteousness as a breastplate," and goes to battle against injustice and corruption, restoring peace and order to the land.

God offers His own righteousness to every believer in Jesus/Yeshua the Christ. No one can gain righteousness by doing good deeds. We receive righteousness by having faith in the Lord Jesus/Yeshua.~Titus 3:5; Philippians 3:9~

Knowing that God promises his protection against the forces of evil for those who have faith in Jesus/Yeshua.~2 Thessalonians 3:3~

"The righteous will live by faith."~Romans 1:17~

~Romans 3:22~ righteousness comes from God through faith in Jesus/Yeshua the Christ to those who believe.

~Isaiah 59:17~"He put on righteousness as his breastplate"
   *righteousness as his breastplate. The Lord's armor is compared to the believer's armor in the battle against Satan in ~Ephesians 6:14~

*THE SHIELD OF FAITH*

THE SHIELD OF FAITH

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one~Ephesians 6:16~

The Roman shield was made of sturdy pieces of wood, covered with either goat-skin or calf skin. The shield stood four feet long and three-feet wide. Iron rims were fitted along the top and bottom edges, an iron circle was attached to the center of the shield. The boards curved inward and a leather strap was fastened to the shield's back.

Before a battle the Roman soldiers would drench their leather-covered shield in water, so when the fiery arrows of their enemies struck these soaked shields, the flames immediately were extinguished. Often these shields were interlocked together to make a wall to stop the attacker. With the shields locked it would give the soldiers more protection.

FIRST OF ALL the greatest weapon that we have against Satan, is the truth, the Word of God, TRUTH.  Without His truth we will always be defeated by our enemy. We must know the Word of God before we can stand against the devil and his evil ways. God's Word builds your  faith.  His Word is truth and truth is more important more important than anything, even faith! We receive faith by hearing and reading His Word.  Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God! How, then, could the“Shield of Faith”be more important then the “Loin belt of Truth,” the Word of God?

The shield of faith is the Christian's protection against temptation. Whenever we trust God will provide everything we need, "the spiritual forces of evil" cannot tempt us with the lie that sin can provide a better life than God will.~Ephesians 6:12~

"All the flaming arrows of the evil one'-every temptation and distraction that Satan may hurl at God's people-can be stopped.~Ephesians 6:16~

When our faith in God  is authentic, the powers of darkness are overcome. This is why the apostle John could saw,"This is the victory that has overcome the world, even out faith,:~1 John 5:4~

As for God, His way is perfect, He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.~2 Samuel 22:31~

My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.~Psalm 7:10~

He has prepared His deadly weapons; he makes flaming arrows~Psalms7:13~

 You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me.~Psalm18:35

   If your “Shield of Faith” were properly anointed by the Holy Spirit, and saturated in the Word of God, these fiery darts would be extinguished on impact!

   The fact that these arrows have been effective in bringing you to rage, anger, anxiety, unbelief, worry, and so forth, is evidence that YOU have failed somewhere along the way! It is apparent that YOU failed to deal with wrong attitudes and thoughts in your mind; thus, YOU allowed an open door through which these arrows could pass. If you were living in the presence of God on a daily basis, the Holy Spirit’s anointing would have been upon your life! The absence of the Spirits oil on your life has caused your faith to become stiff and brittle. The reason those arrows broke through your “Shield of Faith” is because you didn’t do what was necessary to keep your faith supple and pliable.
   God has provided you a way to avoid being hit by these fiery darts. Paul said, “there hath no temptation taking you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
     The Shield of Faith is your way of escape from the fiery darts of the adversary. When your faith is out in front covering all, it quenches every temptation, every fire bearing arrow that the enemy sends your way. When you carry your Shield of Faith those arrows loose their power and fall to the ground. Thus you escape.

~Ephesians 6:10-19~
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,

and on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

~6:10~strong...power. Implies that human effort is inadequate but God's power is invincible.
~6:12~not against flesh and blood. A caution against lashing out against human opponents as though they were the real enemy and also against assuming that the battle can be fought using merely human resources. rulers...forces. Paul's earlier allusions to powerful beings in the unseen world. heavenly realms.
~6:13-14~stand your ground...Stand firm. In this context the imagery is not that of a massive invasion of the domain of evil, but of individual soldiers [Warriors For Christ] withstanding assault.
~6:14~belt of truth. the symbolic clothing of the Messiah in Isa. 11:5. Character, not brute force, wins the battle, just as in the case of the Messiah. breastplate of righteousness. Here again, the warrior's character is his defense. God himself is symbolically described as putting on a breastplate of righteousness when He goes forth to bring about justice (see Isa. 59:17).
 ~feet fitted with the readiness. Whereas the description of the messenger's feet in Isa. 52: 7 reflects the custom of running barefooted, here the message of the gospel is picturesquely connected with the protective and supportive foot gear of the Roman soldier.
~6:16~shield of faith...extinguish...flaming arrows. Describes the large Roman shield covered with leather, which could be soaked in water and used to put out flame-tipped arrows.
~6:17-18~sword of the Spirit...pray in the Spirit. Reminders that the battle is spiritual and must be fought in God's strength, depending on the word and on God through prayer.
~6:17~helmet of salvation. Isa. 59:17 has similar language, along with the breastplate imagery. The helmet both protected the soldier [Warrior For Christ] and provided a striking symbol of military victory.
***Those who are "strong in the Lord" have victory over the evil one in the great spiritual conflict, especially through the power of prayer~6:10-2,0~.

*THE BELT OF TRUTH*

*THE BELT OF TRUTH*

The "belt of truth" was named after the leather belt with an apron that hung in front of the Roman soldier's groin and lower abdomen. Small brass plates were attached to the apron to provide the greatest possible protection.

When preparing for battle, the belt would have been the first piece of protection equipment put on by the soldier. It clung closely to the soldier and shielded some of the most vulnerable areas of his body.

This belt prepares one to be ready for action. Belts were used to tie up the garments so they would not get in the way while fighting. The call to have "your loins girt about with truth" is a call to be prepared. We Christians always need to be ready to defend themselves against the powers of darkness and not be caught unaware.

Knowing the good news about Jesus and explaining why you believe in Him.

Living as a person of integrity-as someone who is honest and trustworthy.

~"Live such good lives...that, though they  accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God"...-1 Peter 2:12~

~Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"...-1 Peter 3:15, 16~

THE BELT OF TRUTH
 
 THE BELT OF TRUTH















THE BELT OF TRUTH


 

The Bible suggests that you wrap truth around the area that is regarded as your place of strength to reinforce it to the point whereas truth becomes your strength. As long as truth is your strength, you can fight forever because your strength will never be exhausted. God's truth is real and manifested in the physical earth and in the sky above. It is undeniable because God is true.

Jesus/Yeshua promished to send one after Him whom He referred to as the Spirit of Truth. The Spirit of Truth will guide us into all truth. He will not speak of Himself but would glorify Jesus/Yeshua. That He would receive of what Jesus/Yeshua has and make it known to all who accept Him. The Spirit of Truth is the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost.

THE WORD OF GOD [THE BIBLE] CAME FROM MEN WHO WERE MOVED BY THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH ~2 Peter 1:20~. The fact that Jesus/Yeshua promised the Spirit of Truth would guide us to all the truth and the Bible was written by men moved by the Spirit of Truth gives reasonable certainty that the Bible contains all truth inspired and directed by God~2 Timothy 3:16~

First and foremost, we must know and believe the life, death, resurrection and divine mission of Jesus/Yeshua the Christ. We have to fully believe the truth of His victory over the forces of evil. We must also believe and understand the truth concerning the fall of Satan and the disobedience of Adam. Satan deceived Adam through Eve and caused Adam to disobey God. Adam's disobedience caused the need for Jesus/Yeshua to come. When we understand these truths, we will know our enemy, we will know the reason and purpose of the battle and will know that we are on the side that has always been victorious.