Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022
Saturday July 23, 2022
Wear the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, that is, the word of God (Eph. 6:17).
The helmet of salvation is the hope that Jehovah gives us, the hope that he will save us from death and reward those who do his will (1 Thess. 5:8; 1 Tim. 4:10; Titus 1:1, 2 ). The hope of salvation protects our ability to think. It helps us stay focused on God's promises and see problems in the right perspective. We put on the helmet of salvation by striving to think like Jehovah. For example, we do not put our “hope in uncertain riches, but in God” (1 Tim. 6:17; Ps. 26:2; 104:34). The sword of the spirit is the Word of God, the Bible. This sword has the power to expose deception and free people from false teachings and bad habits (2 Cor. 10:4, 5; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 4:12) . We learn to use it well through personal study and training from God's organization (2 Tim. 2:15). w21.03 27 para. 4; 29 paras. 10, 11
What is the belt of truth, and why should we wear it?
The belt of truth represents the truths found in God's Word, the Bible. Why should we wear it? Because Satan is “the father of lies” (John 8:44). He has been lying for thousands of years and has succeeded in deceiving “all the inhabited earth” (Rev. 12:9). But the truths of the Bible protect us from deception. How do we put on this belt? Learning the truth about Jehovah, worshiping him “with spirit and truth,” and conducting ourselves “honestly in all things” (John 4:24; Eph. 4:25; Heb. 13:18).
What is the breastplate of righteousness, and why should we put it on?
The breastplate of righteousness represents Jehovah's righteous standards. Why should we wear it? Because, just as a breastplate protects the heart of a soldier, the breastplate of righteousness protects us so that the negative influence of this world does not corrupt our figurative heart, that is, what we are inside (Prov. 4:23). Jehovah commands us to love and serve him with all our hearts (Matt. 22:36, 37). That is why Satan tries to divide our hearts by making us love what the world offers us, which are things that Jehovah hates (Jas. 4:4; 1 John 2:15, 16). And, if he does not get us to disobey Jehovah's rules in this way, he will try by force.
How do we put on the breastplate of righteousness?
We put on the breastplate of righteousness by agreeing to live according to what Jehovah says is right or wrong (Ps. 97:10). Some people may believe that Jehovah's standards take away our freedom. But if we fail to follow Bible principles, we will be like a soldier who takes off his armor in the middle of a battle because he thinks it is too heavy. Wouldn't that be foolish? For those who love Jehovah, “his commandments of him are not a burden,” but a lifeline (1 John 5:3).
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