Biblical Lists: The Defenses of the Christian

Theme for this week: Important lists in the Bible

The fourth list in this series: The Defenses of the Christian

Jesus taught important truths by relating to things he saw every day, like the lilies of the field. He no doubt motioned toward the blooming flowers as he continued teaching, “See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin” (Matthew 6:28 ESV). Jesus then applied a lesson based upon that observance.

Paul used Jesus’ method sometimes. Everywhere one looked in the days of the Apostle Paul, there was at least one Roman soldier within view. Paul takes note of that and provides us a list of desired qualities of life, comparing them to parts of the soldier’s armor. He then showed us how vital those qualities were to the Christian’s defense against sin. The Christian needs to be defended by spiritual armor, because he or she is in the middle of a spiritual war day after day:*

Here’s what we need as we mount a defense against temptation and sin:

1. Truth – The Truth is Jesus Christ. He made that claim for Himself when He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”

2. Righteousness – Believers have been declared “righteous” because they are “in Christ,” which means that we are “clothed in His righteousness.” Nevertheless, the Lord wants us to obey the moral law, which causes the world to see us as “righteous.”

3. Readiness – The Roman soldier was always ready for battle if he was wearing his armor. Jesus wants us to be “found faithful” when He appears at His Second Coming. We know not when Jesus is coming, but we must be ready at all times. In the words of a hymn, we are ready to go, ready to stay, ready to do His will.

4. Faith – We are facing the wiles (devious tricks) of the Devil, and we dare not be moved one inch away from our strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior.

5. Salvation – Salvation is Paul’s designation for the helmet, which identifies the solder and protects his brain, the source of his thoughts and deeds. Assurance of our salvation makes us strong so that we may conquer temptation and sin.

6. The Word of God – Knowing what the Word of God says, providing a strong foundation for us as we fight against sin. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2Timothy 3:16).

7. Prayer – Prayer is always appropriate for the Christian as he or she resists temptation and sin. Pray for other Christians as they side with you in the fight against Satan and his sly ways of tempting us to betray our Lord.

HIGHER GROUND
Words, Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Music, Charles H. Gabriel
1898, 1902

I’m pressing on the upward way
New heights I’m gaining every day
Still praying as I’m onward bound
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground

Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay
Though some may dwell where those abound
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground

Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground

I want to live above the world
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled
For faith has caught the joyful sound
The song of saints on higher ground

Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground

I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright
But still I’ll pray, ’till heaven I’ve found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground