This Week

This week at praxis...For Your Protection

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 
Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand 
against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not 
against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, 
against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of 
this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of 
evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole 
armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on 
that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  
Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, 
and put on the breastplate of righteousness.  
As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready 
to proclaim the gospel of peace.  With all of these, 
take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to 
quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  
Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, 
which is the word of God.  Pray in the Spirit at all 
times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep 
alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 
Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be 
given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 
for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I 
may declare it boldly, as I must speak.  	
----Ephesians 6:10-20
	

Chain mail was a flexible defense constructed of interlinked 
and riveted rings of metal. Each link passes through four 
others and the garment is shaped by the addition or subtraction 
of rings in appropriate places. A tunic of chain mail was very
expensive and in the 11th century was worth several oxen. 
---http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/MEDmail.htm

Full Plate Armor (AC 1) 
Description: Full plate armor is the best armor a warrior can buy, 
both in appearance and protection.  The perfectly-fitted interlocking plates 
are specially angled to deflect arrows and blows, and the entire suit is 
carefully adorned with rich engraving and embossed detail. 
----AD&D Supplement:  Arms and Equipment Guide 

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One, and One in Three.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, 
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the Name, 
The strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same,
The Three in One, and One in three.
Of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.
Amen
----The Breastplate of St. Patrick

We might wish (the writer of Ephesians) had used a different metaphor, 
perhaps drawn upon the agrarian culture of  his day: 
"Pick up the hoe of the Spirit, don the straw hat of salvation, 
hold up your trousers with the suspenders of truth, 
and pull on the barn coat of righteousness."  But he didn't. 										----Homiletics, August 2000

This site is about taking possession of our inheritance 
in Christ and overcoming our enemy's assaults. 
We believe that victorious Christian living is possible when 
sound Biblical principles are incorporated in our lives and 
practiced daily. We must maintain our focus on the Lord and not 
become consumed with the enemy's activity. We are not to fear the enemy, 
but are commanded to resist him and overcome him in the 
authority and power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
----www.sw-mins.org





Questions:


	Is the armor metaphor still a valuable one in our culture? 
	Does the military nature of the image help or hinder its usefulness for you? 
	Does talking about a "spiritual enemy" make sense to you?  What is that enemy?
	If thearmor metaphor does not work for you, what else would you use instead?
	What does spiritual protection mean for you?  
	How does it, or does it not, work for you?
	Do you like the idea of a powerful God, one who can smote on our behalf?