Spiritual Armor
“David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.” I Samuel 17:39
The word "tested" refers to David's lack of experience with the armor and weapons which Saul gave him, indicating that he had not practiced or trained with them before attempting to wear them. This lack of familiarity made it difficult for him to move effectively in the armor. David's attempt to wear the armor showed humility and respect for his leader but it also showed that that it was too cumbersome for him. David went to battle without armor on the outside but he was fully protected by his spiritual armor on the inside. “Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (I Samuel 17:45). God has given us His spiritual armor and invites us to "put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).
The same Hebrew word translated here for testing of physical armor is also used in the context of the spiritual testing of faith (Deuteronomy 8:2, Exodus 15:25, Psalms 66:10). The tests that God prepares for us are not just meant to build character but also to build skill in using our spiritual armor and weapons. This can only be done in the midst of real combat. Soldiers consistently train with their armor and their weapons so that they stay in a state of combat readiness. If we’ve.never had a real fight, then we will never gain the skill and confidence (faith) in our spiritual armor and sword. If we are undergoing rigorous training (fighting lions and bears), then we can know that God is preparing us for victory in a future important battle (defeating Goliath). May the Lord give us renewed strength today that we might be able to "stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13).
The word "tested" refers to David's lack of experience with the armor and weapons which Saul gave him, indicating that he had not practiced or trained with them before attempting to wear them. This lack of familiarity made it difficult for him to move effectively in the armor. David's attempt to wear the armor showed humility and respect for his leader but it also showed that that it was too cumbersome for him. David went to battle without armor on the outside but he was fully protected by his spiritual armor on the inside. “Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (I Samuel 17:45). God has given us His spiritual armor and invites us to "put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).
The same Hebrew word translated here for testing of physical armor is also used in the context of the spiritual testing of faith (Deuteronomy 8:2, Exodus 15:25, Psalms 66:10). The tests that God prepares for us are not just meant to build character but also to build skill in using our spiritual armor and weapons. This can only be done in the midst of real combat. Soldiers consistently train with their armor and their weapons so that they stay in a state of combat readiness. If we’ve.never had a real fight, then we will never gain the skill and confidence (faith) in our spiritual armor and sword. If we are undergoing rigorous training (fighting lions and bears), then we can know that God is preparing us for victory in a future important battle (defeating Goliath). May the Lord give us renewed strength today that we might be able to "stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13).
Posted in 1 & 2 Samuel, Deuteronomy, Ephesians, Exodus, Psalms
Posted in Testing-Temptation-Trials, Strength, Faith, Spiritual Warfare
Posted in Testing-Temptation-Trials, Strength, Faith, Spiritual Warfare