The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-11-07

not have the needed strength
without the specified armor. (2)
There is the call to stedfastness.
Stand firm against the subtle, de-
ceiving schemes of Satan who is
the slandcrer, accuser, and adveTr-
sary of God and men. Such sted-
rastness is possible only to those
who have put on the whole armor
of God. No piece or part OF tna'
armor can be ignored or relectea'
90 There is the call to con1llct;
Christian warfare is personal ana
nerpetual. Our wrestling with
wickedness is not against flesh
and blood as such bat against lar
subtler and more sinister Toes.
The curtain is drawn aside SO that
we can see the unseen forces ar
rayed against us: The evil spirits
of high rank; the united mighty
demoniacal agencies; the power
full. invisible potentates of error
in this sin-darkened world; the
captive Spirit-multitudes of great
er power and knowledge than I'M
aided men. How numerous, pow
erful. and insidious our enemies
are! (4 There is the call to VIC
tory. In conflict naturally so
UNEQUAL, how may we conquer!
"Take unto you the whole armour
of Cod" says Paul with renewed
emphasis. Then we shall be able
to resist assaults in the evil day
of temptation and trial, ard we
shall be able also to maintain the
ground we have won.
THE ARMOR OF GOD
(Ephesians 6:14-lO
The Christian armor is the ar
NOR of God. The armor of the Ro-
man soldier, except spear and
greaveS, is employed by the Apos.
tie to picture the equipment OF
the stern duties ahead of him.
Cd The girdle is said to have
done three things for the soldier:
Kept together his dress and ac-
coutrements; supported the sword,
and supported the body giving it
fnmness. That is what the girdle
of sincerity and reality does for
the spiritual man. (2) The breast
plate protected the vitals, the
heart and lungs. The breastplate
of righteousness has been defined
as Christ's righteousness in
wrought in us by the Spirit which
produces integrity of conduct. 1t
is the essential part of our pro-
tective armor. (3) Sandals or
military shoes were a necessity
for the soldier on the march. The
Christian worker is likewise to be
"Shod" for swiftness, comfort,
and safety in stony and slippery
places. He is to be shod with
preparation" OF, readiness pro-
duced by the gospel to march and
toll and suffer. And it involves
peace" another product of the
gospel insuring an inner calm
while the conflict RACES. (4) The
shield was used to intercept the
missiles Of the enemy. The Roman
shield WA four feet long by two
and a half feet broad. Faith in
the Triune God, in the Bible, in
the unseen yet eternal verities, in
the shield of the Christian. With
it he is able to stop all the Satan
sent, fire-tipped, iire-spreaCing
darts. Nothing but faith can cause
them to fall ineffective at our
feet. (5) The helmet was the pro-
lection of the head and the in var
liable accompaniment of the shield.
The helmet Of salvation pic. ares
pardoned sin, spiritual security,
and hope of eternal life. The seat
of the mind is a special point of
attack and must be carefully
guarded. False doctrine with
doubt, detection and despair. do
not trouble the helmeted Chris
tan. (6) The sword is the main
offensive weapon in Christian
warfare. The Bible is two-edged
sword, cleaving and penetrating.
1t was Spirit-inspmed. 1t is Spirit
used and illuminated. With it
Christ vanquished the tempter in
the wilderness and thus only can
his followers go forth conquering
and to conquer. ,....,.
THE SPIRIT OF VICTORY
IT clio ON
The Christian warfare is,waged
in the spirit Of victory. CD 1t is
the spirit of prayer. Prayer is, to
be continual and occasional; pub
lie, social, and secret; vocal and
mental. 1t involves special urgent
petition under the Influence of
the Holy Spirit who dwelling
within us enables us to pray effec-
tually. In the spirit of fervent
importunate prayer we are to
wear the armor and, to fight for
God. (2) 1t is the spirit of vigil
ance. The Christian warrior is to
spend his time not sleeping but
watching with all perseverance.
And this unflagging vigilance,
linked with intercession for all
saints, will enable the Christian
both to defend and to advance the
cause of his Great Commander
CD 1t is the spirit of courage.
Paul asked the prayers of his
readers that he may himself be
fearless, in using the armor of
God. Paradoxieally enough, he
was an ambassador in chains. Also
he was trying to make known the
of the gospel. Even so,
he needed courage to speak with
out a tremor of timidity or OF
fear the message of God to men.
Out of such a spirit comes GER
tain and glorious victory. 81,
GOLD IN THE GOLDEN TEXT
Be strong in the Lord, and in