THE CHRISTIAN ARMOR

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 9, 1876

THE CHRISTIAN ARMOR.

We often hear the children of the Lord express themselves in this wise: “I want to arise and gird on the armor, and be prepared to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord;” but do we always consider what the Christian armor is, why we need it, and how it is to be obtained? The word of the Lord points out the way.

Paul exhorts the Christian as follows: “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, 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 ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Eph. 6: 11–18.

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 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 armor of light.” Rom. 12: 11, 12.

“Let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.” 1 Thess. 5: 8.

“Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity; for if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Pet. 1:5–8. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.” Gal. 5: 22, 23. “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Col. 3: 12–17.

“Put all the armor on, Like valiant soldiers stand; Let all your loins be girt with truth, Waiting the Lord’s command. “The battle’s almost o’er, The race is nearly run, Then with our glorious conquering King We’ll sit down on his throne.” E. L. GRAVES.

Battle Creek, Mich.