I’ve often been asked, “If God is a God of love, why did He have the Israeli people kill all the inhabitants occupying the land He promised to them? If He is such a loving God, why is the Old Testament so full of violence?” First of all, we have to realize that violence and war filled the Earth because man sinned in the Garden of Eden. We want to blame it on God, when in reality, it’s our own fault. We also have to keep in mind that the Old Testament, in a nut shell, was God’s way of teaching us how far we fall short of pleasing God. In ourselves we simply cannot do it. The Old Testament proved to mankind that he had to have a Savior – Someone to intervene for him. That’s where the New Testament and Jesus Christ comes in.
However, in the Old Testament, and especially while enroute to the promised land, God instructed Moses to set up an extremely organized army for Israel. You can read about the order, how they marched, and how they were strategically place, in Numbers 2:1-34. As they traveled from one camp to another, God had them lead off with the strongest three tribal armies so that the front ranks were the toughest. Then followed the Levites with the tabernacle and all the furniture and fixtures. On each side of the Levites were two more groups of three tribes, followed by the last three, bringing up the rearward guard in case of attack from behind. It was a mighty army, and was even stronger because God went with them.
God still has an army, only, it isn’t a physical one, but one that is much stronger. It is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ. Yes, all of us who have committed our lives to Jesus Christ are not only members of God’s Church but we are each also integral parts of His army on Earth. We aren’t called to fight with our fists or tangible weapons, because we don’t fight against flesh and blood (see Ephesians 6:12) but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. In other words, our battles are spiritual. We fight against the evil spirits that proceed from the devil.
The Apostle Paul wrote about the spiritual armor we have access to. You can read the full details in Ephesians 6:10-18. When he wrote the letter to the Ephesians, he was a prisoner in Rome. I can imagine him sitting between soldiers as he wrote his letter. As he gazed upon their attire, he may have thought about the armor the soldiers wore, and how it compared to the spiritual armor God has given his “solders.” He first told us to “put on the whole armor of God, so that we would be able to stand against the attacks of the devil.” (verse 11). We don’t just put on a piece hoping that it will be enough. No, we must put on the entire suit of armor.
Then he said that we put it on so that we can stand. He added that after we have done all we can, that we simply stand. Stand still and watch God work. We put on the following items: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace, taking the shield of faith, putting on the helmet of salvation, and welding the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God).
Of course, this armor is all spiritual, but think about it, there’s nothing better to hold your pants up than the truth. Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:17). Standing with the truth makes for a powerful witness.
Then there’s the breastplate of righteousness. The ancient soldiers wore a breastplate, just as modern day police offices wear a bullet-proof vest. It was to ward off arrows, spears and knives, protecting their vital organs. Just so, Jesus Christ becomes our breastplate. That is because our righteousness is like filthy rags (see Isaiah 64:6) – no protection there! But when our righteousness is that of Jesus Christ Himself, then we have a shiny breastplate that will stop all the weapons of the devil.
We also wear the shoes of the preparation of the good news of peace. Our feet take us places. We walk. We also have a spiritual walk that takes us places. Those places must begin with peace. Putting on the shoes that go with our spiritual armor prepares us to speak peace. Note that sometimes peace can bring conflict because it must come with truth. But as we carry the truth around us as we go, then we can promote true and lasting peace – showing others how to have peace with God.
We carry the shield of faith. Our faith is our belief in God. Not just believing – oh we have to believe in order to be a part of Christ’s Church, but that belief grows in trust; trust in our Lord regardless the outcome. It is a trust or a faith that grows from being exercised. The shield of faith is our knowing that whatever the outcome, Christ is with us. Whether good or bad, we trust in Jesus to know what is best, and He will bring upon us the best in the end. This shield will be able to quench, or block all the fiery arrows the devil may shoot at us.
We cover our heads with the helmet of salvation. Our brain is perhaps our most vital of organs. Without our brains we cannot function and we cannot live very long. Our very lives are covered with the salvation given by Jesus Christ. He is our helmet of salvation.
Finally, we have only one weapon of attack. Notice that all the other pieces of our spiritual armor are for protection. And we certainly need that. But our assault weapon is none other than the word of God. Jesus used it against the devil in the wilderness when He was being attacked at His weakest point – right after a forty day fast. But He used the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God and defeated His foe. So can we. We learn and know the word of God. When we do, then we can also cut down our enemy, not with flesh and blood weapons but with the spiritual weapon – God’s word – what God has said. It will never fail and it will always stand. But remember this; we use the word of God as a weapon against the devil, not against our fellow man. The Bible is to be shared as truth to our fellow man. It is a tool to encourage him or her to come to God, not as a sword to beat them down with. Yes, we must tell them the truth of the Gospel. We must expose sin for what it is. But we are not to brow-beat with the word.
Finally, we always pray. We talk to our Captain. We consult with our God Who is in command. We just don’t pray for ourselves, but we intercede (supplication) for our fellow soldiers. We aren’t in this alone. We have those with whom we are called to serve. Serving together is very important.
This is God’s army on Earth. Those who are Christians. Those who have chosen to put on the whole armor of God. We are His army doing a greater battle than that of any physical soldier. Because, after all, the sum of all our conflicts is at heart, spiritual.
— Jerry D. Ousley is the author of “Soul Challenge”, “Soul Journey”, “Ordeal”, “The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional” and his first novel “The Shoe Tree.” Newer books include “Finality” and “Dividing God’s Church.” Visit our website at spiritbread. com to download these and more completely free of charge.