RhinoPrints BBS^(IC)²

rhinorick · Posted: Mar 11, 2004 Post subject: The Armor of God

Click on image to view interactive explanation of diagram.

(If the diagram doesn't appear in the window above, click HERE.)

Click here to purchase a mousepad with this "Armor of God" diagram.

rhinorick · Posted: Mar 12, 2004 Post subject:

(if the above diagram and animation does not work for you, please let me know.)

Im4HimiHs · Joined: 28 Jan 2004 Posts: 346 0.14 posts per day

It worked on my computer.

It is very inspiring.

Someone once mentioned:

"Have you ever noticed that the armor of God we are to put on, doesn't cover our backs?"

Answer: God is there!

rhinorick · Posted: Mar 12, 2004 Post subject:

Good point! Too cool! Mr. Purple

And do you also notice that WE are to put it on.

It requires action and faith on our parts. Smile

sherilynne · Posted: Mar 12, 2004 Post subject:

not working on mine....but I know it's because the javascript is messed up somehow....I'll check back once it's working again (hopefully very soon!!!)

rhinorick · Posted: Mar 12, 2004 Post subject:

Yes, this one is very "javascript-intensive"! Surprised

maskedpanda · Posted: Mar 12, 2004 Post subject:

This reminds me of a book serise by Bill Meyer called the Forbidden Doors. In these books a sister and brother fight the occult. They have to remember to put the full armor of God on or else they fail in their battles against Satan's demons.

rhinorick · Posted: Mar 13, 2004 Post subject:

rhinorick · Posted: Sep 7, 2004 Post subject:

I thought I had already posted this poem, but I guess not. I thought it would fit here with the Armor of God Bible study. Smile

(If the image and poem do not appear in the window above, click HERE.)
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(do the right thing)^(IC)²

rhinorick · Posted: Jan 19, 2005 Post subject:

I pray that the Lord strengthens all of your shields. Smile

He is the "author and perfector of our faith". Smile

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(do the right thing)^(IC)²

rhinorick · Posted: Jan 20, 2005 Post subject:

The Lord just helped me to remember something.

One of the reasons that I was first drawn to liking rhinos is because of their thick, armor-like skin.

It reminded me of the Armor of God.

We too need to have thick skin/armor. Not letting the enemy's fiery darts or arrows through to penetrate our hearts and minds.

We need God's armor on us at all times to protect us from the potentially damaging blows that we know will come. The arrows will fly against us, that much we know and can count on. But if we have our armor in place, we will be ready to stand.

It is the devil who must flee from us ... not the other way around.

But we must first submit to God.

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." ( James 4:7 )

Armo

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Im4HimiHs · Joined: 28 Jan 2004 Posts: 346 0.14 posts per day

I needed to hear that.

rhinorick · Posted: Jan 31, 2005 Post subject:

I'm glad it helped, Im4HimiHs. Smile

Always glad to hear when something touches someone's life. Smile

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rhinorick · Posted: Jan 31, 2005 Post subject: Sword of the Spirit

"Take ... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." - Ephesians 6:17

I have heard it taught many times that the sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon in the armor of God - that all the other pieces are defensive. I could not agree more.

The sword of God's Word is a weapon against the enemy. Jesus used it as such when He was being tempted in the wilderness. He cut against the enemy's blows by quoting God's Word. (see Matthew 4:1-11)

But let us not miss the other edge of this weapon of offense.

Hebrews 4:12 says "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword ..."

I think too many times we stop right there and miss the rest of this verse. Surprised

The verse does not continue by saying "a double-edged sword, with which to attack the enemy of our souls", or "with which we can render the enemy's plans useless". It is true that it is powerful in doing those things, but read the rest of the verse ....

"Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Whoa! Did I type that right? Yes, I did. The writer of Hebrews is telling us that the sharp edge of the sword - the Word of God - is for penetrating our own soul! It is for dividing our own spirit! It is for judging our own thoughts and attitudes! Surprised

What does that mean?

Let's take a look at what Jesus taught us on this subject. In John 17:17, Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." And the Psalmist, in Psalm 119:11, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

The Word of God serves to cleanse our hearts. It "cuts out" of us that which is undesirable to God.

Many a western movie has shown a man get shot and take his knife to remove the bullet or arrow. Painful? I can only imagine! Necessary? Only if the man wants to live. Or if he wants to save his arm or leg.

God's Word cuts into our heart, our soul, our very spirit to remove that which could ultimately kill us, or best case render us useless. It cuts out the sin. Painful? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely ... if we want to live and be effective for God.

When looking at the focus of "purity", we need God's Word. We need that sharp edge.

Again, the psalmist declares to the Lord, "How can a young [or old] man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." - Psalm 119:9

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly ..." - Col. 3:16

Keep that sword handy. But not in the sheath ... keep it in your heart.

Smile

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tomalle · Posted: Feb 1, 2005 Post subject:

Rick:
Thanks for the insight into God's Word. We were just studying some of this during our Sunday evening service this past week.
I think when we are studying about the Word of God, we need to also remember 2 Timothy 3:16. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." God's Word lets us know how to live (teaching), helps us identify when we have strayed from the correct path (rebuking), shows us how to get back on the right path (correcting), and teaches us how to stay on the right path (training in righteouness).
Why??? " . . . so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" 2 Timothy 3:17.
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"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
-Hebrews 13:8

rhinorick · Posted: Feb 1, 2005 Post subject:

Amen Tomalle! Amen indeed! Clap

You are right, that is a very important verse to remember indeed!

Not only does it tell us that Scripture is from God, and is inspired by His Spirit, but it reminds us what its purposes are, as you so eloquently described. Clap

And that purpose of "rebuking" fits right in there with what I was saying about cutting into our hearts, spirits, souls, etc. Smile

We are not fully equipped if we venture out without our sword are we? Surprised

Can you imagine the warrior or knight going into battle, getting out on the front line, and looking down at his side, and realizing that he forgot to bring his sword? Surprised

He would not last long in that battle. Neither do we when we don't have God's Word in our hearts each and every day. We know the enemy is going to try to attack us every day ... so we need to be sure we are equipped!!

Smile

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tomalle · Posted: Feb 2, 2005 Post subject:

If I found myself in that battle without a sword, I would turn and run the other way. God's Word gives me courage to face the battle!!
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"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
-Hebrews 13:8

rhinorick · Posted: Feb 3, 2005 Post subject:

Amen tomalle! God's Word give us courage as well. Clap

Another thought I had when you mentioned "turning and running the other way" versus "facing the battle".

If you notice the pieces of armor listed above, in Eph. 6, you will notice there in nothing mentioned that covers our back. Surprised

Two reasons for that:

1. God is there. Smile

I heard this one taught before, and I agree ... although God should be out front, with us following Him. smile

But He does "cover our backs". Smile

2. God doesn't call us to turn our back on the battle, but to face it head on, as you mentioned above. Smile

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godsvalentine · Posted: Apr 21, 2006 Post subject:

The aromr of God is the central truths of Scripture that make up the spiritual defenses of the believer.

The devil is very good at what he does, He does not go about his work haphazardly. He has a plan. The apostle refers to the enemy's stategy as "whiles". Satan designs a plan of attack against each of us. His attacks are specific, direct, and replentless. They are always perfectly timed. They are tailor-made for us. And more often than we would like to admit, his attacks are successful.

But we have an effective defense. And those who take the time to put it on will stand against temptation.

"We don't have to fight or wrestle with God, but we must wrestle before God with things. Beware of lazily giving up. Instead, put up a glorious fight and you will find yourself empowered with His strength.
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With God, all things are possible!

panthrcat · Posted: Jan 19, 2007 Post subject:

when im4him mentioned that we don't have armor to cover our backs, I thought to myself that maybe it was God's way of having Him not let us turn our backs!

and then later in Rick's post he talks about how God is covering our back, and that He wouldn't call us to a 'battle' so we could turn our backs to it!!

wow interesting thread, thanks Rick!