THE WHOLE ARMOR | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 8, 1860

THE WHOLE ARMOR.

NoT a part of the armor, but the whole of it, Christian soldier! You can lay aside a part when you are at rest, but not till then. In the meantime you are to put on "the whole armor of God," and with such an outfit you are expected to fight until the conflict shall be terminated in victory.

You need the helmet. It serves to protect the head from the blows aimed at your reason, your judgment and your conviction of right and duty. The conscience needs to be well guarded. A clear and intelligent understanding of Divine truth, a true perception of spiritual things, a tender and enlightened conscience, are essential to the Christian. Many have made a fatal mistake by not keeping their head cool, their reason clear and their mind pure. False reasoning, specious pretences, glittering philosophies, and doctrines that please the ear and the pride of the heart, have made ruin of millions. The helmet was either not of the right metal, or it was cast aside.

You cannot fight without a shield. The blows of the adversary fall thick and fast around you. If you have not the shield to preserve you in the contest you may be stricken down at any moment. Let that shield of faith be bright and polished. If Paul could do all things through Christ that strengthened him, so can you. Paul did a dozen times more than falls to the lot of ordinary soldiers. In prison, in bonds, in scourging, in fastings, in shipwreck, in the dungeon, and in the presence of magistrates, governors, and Cæsars, his faith in the Captain of his salvation was always strong and always at hand. He carried his shield with him and not a blow that was ever struck upon it but made it ring with the truest sound. But the shield of the apostle is only the same shield which you can have if you will. If you go to battle without it you will fail; and if an enemy should find you accidentally by the wayside and it is not on your arm, he will watch his time to deal you a deadly blow.

Keep that breastplate on. It should cover the vital part, which the slightest thing can destroy. It should guard your heart from every thrust of the foe. Those affections which are by nature so earthly, those desires which are so warm, are to be kept out of the heart by all means. The sacred temple of the emotions where love burns on the altar and peace and hope and charity chant their offerings of praise must be well watched and protected. The defense must be broad and strong. The enemy has a broad mark for his blows. The breastplate is made to wear over the heart and the lungs—not on the shoulders and across the back. The organs of circulation and respiration—the heart and lungs, must be kept from injury. We must enjoy the blessings of salvation, spiritual and yet real, by prayer in faith and faith in prayer.

So it is with the whole armor of the true soldier. Not one part should be wanting. The sword of the Spirit—two edged and piercing to the dividing of the soul and spirit—the feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and every part of the armor kept ready for use.

Do not lay that shield aside. It will become rusty and defaced and may require much pains and care to burnish it again for use. Do not put that sword in the scabbard. It should be drawn, and in the hand for constant defense. Be sure that the breastplate is strong and without any flaws.

The Captain of your salvation has appointed the armor. It is that which is best suited for the warfare in which you are engaged. He has left no warrant for your making a choice of your own. The Christian army should not be a body of spiritual fantasticals, each man equipped according to his own caprice and humor, or convenience, but a well disciplined army in uniform, marching on under the banners of love.

The weapons grow brighter and stronger by use. The conflict gives strength to the arm, sharpness to the sword, massiveness to the shield, breadth to the breastplate, and resistence to the helmet. Other weapons than those appointed will be found delusive and worthless.

With the whole armor the Christian shall triumph, as in the words of the hymn we so often sing:

“Thy saints in all this glorious war, Shall conquer, though they die; They view the triumph from afar, By faith they bring it nigh.”