Survival Gear

Good morning and welcome in everybody.  Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to tell you a little story.

People have been fighting fires throughout history, from pouring water on their campfire, to joining up with others to make a bucket brigade. Some sources claim that organized firefighting began as far back as 27 BC during the reign of Augustus Caesar. It has also been said that Ben Franklin was America’s first volunteer fire chief, who organized a volunteer firefighting Force called the union fire company. Fighting fires is a dangerous job, but over the years, certain types of protective clothing have been developed for them. Back in the early 1800s, a fireman would prepare himself to do battle with the heat by putting on his bunker gear, which was stored next to his bunk at the fire station. This way when a call came in, he could immediately get dressed and head to the fire. Back then, they were simply woolen pants and long coats that resisted fire, along with a good pair of heavy leather boots. But over the years they became more improved, and by the 1930s they were known as silver bunker suits, or asbestos suits that were designed to operate in high temperatures. By the 1980s, the newer suits which are known as turnout gear, were made to withstand temperatures of up to 1200°. Modern day protective equipment includes many different parts, such as coats and pants, a good helmet, an air tank to breathe, fire hood, gloves, and even a flashlight and radio.

This reminds me of the Christian Life.

Survival gear is important in whatever occupation you might be in. Whether it’s a bunker suit, space suit, or a wetsuit, each of us must put on the things that we need in order to protect ourselves from potentially dangerous situations. For a soldier of Christ, our survival gear is the Armor of God.

Ephesians 6 ¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; ¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Before a fireman runs into a burning house, he must put on all of his gear so that he can completely shield himself from the onslaught of heat and embers. As a soldier of God, you must make sure that you wear all of the equipment that God has given you so you can fight the good fight!

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” 2 Timothy 4:7

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

First of all, the devil is very cunning and will use devious methods in order to manipulate or persuade somebody to do what they want. He is skillful at using underhanded and deceitful tactics to achieve his goals. After all, this is what he did to Eve in the garden of Eden. But the way to defeat him is with a liberal dose of the truth. The truth drives the devil crazy because it corners him up against the wall and he cannot escape. The truth is one of the very first pieces of body armor that we must put on. It must surround our lives in everything that we do, because honesty is the best policy!

“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:” 1 Peter 3:10

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” Ephesians 4:25

The next piece to put on is the breastplate of righteousness. Righteousness has been defined as doing what is morally right or justifiable. The works of the devil are wicked and evil, and the best way to fight against him is with the works of righteousness. He will try to find a chink in the armor to take you down with him, but we must completely resist him with the righteousness of God.

“…….Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

1 Peter 5  ⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

“By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,” 2 Corinthians 6:7

You will also need the protective footwear of the gospel of peace.

“Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” 1 Peter 3:11

“……How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15

“Follow peace with all men,….Hebrews 12:14

One of the most important things for soldiers to carry into battle was a shield. It protected them from whatever the enemy might throw at them. The devil will cast out your name as evil, falsely accuse you, and spread all kinds of lies and gossip about you. But whatever suffering or persecutions that may happen in our lives, we can survive them all through faith in our Lord Christ Jesus and His teachings. 

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”  1 John 5:4

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

The prophets won many Spiritual battles through faith. 

Hebrews 11 ³³ Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

³⁴ Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Like a firefighter, we too must protect our head by putting on our helmet of salvation.

 “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8

As a soldier for Christ, we are on the front lines of battle, but we do not use carnal weapons like they do out in the world. To fight these battles we must use the Spiritual Sword of God’s Holy Word.

“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”  2 Corinthians 10:4

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Like a knight who bequeaths his armour to his Son, God has given us His armor to protect us from the wicked elements of this world. Like a fireman heading into the heat, we must prepare for all the fiery darts of the wicked. Everyday we must reach inside of our locker, making sure that we have everything that we need, because to win the battle that is coming, you will want to make sure that you put on all of your…..

……Survival Gear

Let’s think about these things for right now.  We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you all, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.❤️

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