Wearing the Full Armor of God as a Community

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Updated December 21, 2022

PLUS

A paper trail followed me into the kitchen and magnets dropped to the ground as our refrigerator reached its maximum capacity. I love being a mom. I love hanging every little drawing and achievement, photo and memory that will fit on the side of our refrigerator. Community is a compilation of what’s stuck on everyone’s fridge.

5. Helmet of Salvation

Helmets protect us. Our salvation protects us. The NIV Study Bible notes helmets were also a sign of victory. We have already won in Christ. When we put on our salvation as a community – a church body – we are protecting ourselves from attack. Where there are many souls to be reached for Jesus, the attack will be the strongest.

6. Sword of the Spirit

The word of God is powerful, and we seek Him in it daily we will find what we need, when we need it. “The sword was a short sward (or dagger) use for close combat,” the NIV Bible explains. “Here it is linked with the Holy Spirit, who is the source of the sword, making it powerful and effective.” God’s Word must be delivered in love, because He is love, and everything He does is rooted in who He is. Even “tough love” needs to be delivered with a compassion for our mission to go make disciples …to seek and save the lost, as Jesus came to do. As a community we must be committed to the Word of God.

There is power in numbers. When we pray individually, it’s powerful. God says, when two or more gather in His name, He is THERE. The presence of God is directive, and clarifying. His heart is never to confuse us, or for us to suffer needlessly or wander aimlessly. Countless times He assures us He will never leave us or forsake us. Paul wrote:

Praying for each other, together, is powerful. Putting on the armor of God daily, both individually and as a community, is powerful. The Bible is not only for individual instruction, for we were meant to live in community with each other. God said it was not good for man to be alone. We need each other to help put on pieces of armor some days, and link arms with one another when the fight and the suffering is too much for one soul to bear alone.

When we picture the armor of God, like the picture of the soldier still hanging on my refrigerator, let’s aim to be diligent in wearing every piece of it. Remember it also as we make disciples, teaching others how to put on the armor of God daily before walking out into the world.

Sources

Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ at megbucher.com. She is the author of “Friends with Everyone, Friendship within the Love of Christ,” “Surface, Unlocking the Gift of Sensitivity,” “Glory Up, The Everyday Pursuit of Praise,” “Home, Finding Our Identity in Christ,” and "Sent, Faith in Motion." Meg earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University but stepped out of the business world to stay home and raise her two daughters …which led her to pursue her writing passion. A contributing writer for Salem Web Network since 2016, Meg is now thrilled to be a part of the editorial team at Salem Web Network. Meg loves being involved in her community and local church, leads Bible study, and serves as a youth leader for teen girls.

Wearing the Full Armor of God as a Community

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