The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-08-12
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.


Vopic For the Week Beginning Aug. D.
Comment by Rev. S. II. Doyle.
ToPIo.-The conquest of temptation Eph'
! vi, 1918 "a temperance topicl
In the topical reference we have
paurs representation of the Christian
/ life as n struggle and warfare against
temptation to doubt and to sin, and his
wonderful description of the armor or
nanoply of God which it is necessary for
the soldier of Christ to have on to win
the victory over the wiles of the devil.
Satan, the enemy of the human soul, is
both powerful and skillful. 1t is not
against weak humanity, 'flesh and
blood, that we struggle, but against
fallen spirits, ''principalities, powers,
the darkness of this world, spiritual
wiekedness in high places The enemy
being so powerful, the need of power
full armor is apparent. God has sup
piled it. Paul here describes it i'll full,
specifying each and giving its spiritual
significance, using the armor of the Ro-
man soldi rs a model,
1. The first piece is the girdle.
"Girt about with truth. " The girdle
was tho ancient military belt. Il not
only held the sword or dart. but its
chief purpose was to hold the rest OF
the armor in its place This is why it
is mentioned first. The spiritual girdle
is truth, honesty and sincerity, and the
truth as it is in Jesus. " If we are true
and sincere, and stand firmly upon the
eternal truth of God, satan and all his
hosts cannot move us.
Q. The second piece is the breast
plate. The breastplate covered the chest,
and in so doing protected the heart, the
center of physical life. 1t was some
times formed of linen or plates of horn,
but usually Of metallic scales or feath-
ers. The breastplate spiritually repre-
sents righteousness. Having on the
breastplate of righteousness. Right
eouness here is not moral rectitude, but
as always with Paul the justifying
righteousness of Christ. We are not
righteous, nor can we be; but if we are
clothed upon with the righteousness of
Christ it becomes breastplate to ward
off all the attacks and insinuations of
satan.
8. The third piece is the sandal. The
legs of the Roman soldier were covered
with greaves, kind of military leg
gings or boots, and the feet We're covered
with sandals, kind of light, spiked
shoe The purpose of these sandals was
to give sareness of footing and swiftness
to the soldier. The Christian also needs
to be firm and swift to do the will of
God, and the sandals which assist him
are the effects of the gospel of peace.
"And having your feet shod with the
preparedness of the gospel of peace. !"
The gospel brings peace and serenity. 1t
scatters doubts and misgivings and
makes US firm and speedy in obeying
God.
a. The fourth piece is the shield.
Two kinds of shields were used by
Roman soldiers, small shield called a
buckler or target, held in the left hand
in hand to hand struggle, and large
shield which covered the entire person.
The large one is referred to here. Spir-
itually it is faith, unwayering conf
dence and trust in God. which wards off
all the assaults Of satan when he tempts
us to doubt or to sin.
8. The fifth piece is the helmet 1t
protected the head and enabled the sol
der to march with his head erect The
helmet of the spiritual armor is saliva
ton, the positive assurance that we are
now and forever saved.
@. The sixth piece is the sword. This
is the word Of God, the sword of the
Spirit. Add to these prayer and we are
invulnerable.
Bible Readings.-Gen. iii, 1-8;
Chron. xxi, /; Prov. i. 10; iv, 14-18;
Math. iv, Ill; XVI, Al; Cor. X, II,
IS; Gal vi. L; 1 Thess. iii, 3; Tim.
vi, O.; Heb. ii. IS; iv, 10. l6; Jas. i,
1-16; Pet V, o; II Pet. ii, 8, 8, 10.