No Longer Fits
What part of your view on life just doesn't fit anymore?
Are you tired of wearing religious hand-me-downs?
What views, thought processes, attitudes, characterizations, philosophies, or ways of life, just doesn’t fit anymore? It’s time to get rid of the outgrown, over-sized, thread-bare thinking that someone else has given you, and be dressed in the spiritual clothing that YHVH has given us!
So, what clothing should we find hanging in our spiritual closet? We find the answer to that in Ephsiym 6; it is a uniform to be worn at all times. Shaul likens it to a Roman soldier’s armor, because theirs was the best defensive clothing in the physical world at that time. We are going to look at the modern wardrobe.
v. 14 - having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist Not just any old belt, but a belt that holds tools. Think of a carpenter’s belt, an electrician's belt, or any other occupation where tools need to be within reach at all times.
v. 14 - put on the breastplate of righteousness The Roman breastplate was a piece of metal that kept their internal organs from being injured. We don’t have to wear one of those to keep from being hurt. However, being quick to forgive, slow to anger, and refusing to let others offend us will keep necessary organs, like the heart, from being broken.
v. 15 - and fitted your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace You know, we women love shoes. Most of us would have a closet just for them, in every style, color and heel height we could imagine. So, whether you’re wearing 6-inch stilettos, running shoes, or your theme song is “These boots are made for walking,” remember that they represent the spreading of the besorah, and that you will always be willing to go where YHVH calls you.
v. 16 - above all, taking up the shield of faith Today’s shield is made from Kevlar, or similar material, and is called a bullet-proof vest. For police and military, it is to keep the bullets from penetrating. Our enemy uses fiery darts.
v. 17 - take the helmet of salvation I personally have never been a “hat person” but I know I have the spiritual covering and protection of Yeshua himself, whose very name means “salvation” and that he guides me in my thoughts and actions.
v. 17 - and the sword of the Ruach, which is the word of YHVH We’ve all seen the Robin Hood movies, where all the battles are fought, and won, by a sword. The difference between the Hollywood version and YHVH’s, is that YHVH’s is a two-edged sword. This means that if we start using it in a way that was not intended, we will end up hurting ourselves as much or more than we do the enemy. (see Ivriym 4:12)
v. 18 - praying at all times in the Spirit, being watchful to this end in all perseverance This is not given to us as an article of clothing in our English translations, but we know that the Hebrew tallit is a shawl-like garment worn by men during morning services, and during the reading of the Scriptures, with tzitzit (long fringes) attached to the corners as a reminder of the commandments. It is also called a prayer shawl. The women do not wear a tallit, but do wear scarves during these services. So, every time we put on a scarf to complete an outfit, or to ward off the cold, we should remember that prayer does the same thing: it completes our spiritual wardrobe and it keeps out the spiritual coldness of the enemy.
