Readiness and Preparation
The concepts of readiness and preparation for the battlefield is
essential for any and every blood bought born again child of God.
Deuteronomy 20:5 And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
6 And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
7 And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
Deuteronomy 20 deals with physical warfare while Ephesians 6 uses the metaphor of a soldier's armor to describe your spiritual preparation needed for spiritual battle.
Ephesians 6:11 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:
Deuteronomy 20:5-7, outlines specific exemptions for Israelite soldiers. It allows men to return home if they have unfulfilled obligations, such as an unfinished house, an unharvested vineyard, or an unconsummated marriage. The principle is simply: to be effective on the battlefield, a soldier must be fully committed, without any lingering distractions unencumbered by personal distractions that could compromise his focus.
Ephesians 6:11-17, applies a similar principle of preparedness to your spiritual life. It commands believers to "put on the whole armor of God" to stand against "the devil's wiles." This armor is not a physical one but spiritual, consisting of the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and other spiritual accoutrement--making you fit for service.
Together, these passages teach that true readiness for battle—whether physical or spiritual involves the removal of distractions and the acquisition of God's spiritual armor. Deuteronomy highlights the need for a soldier to be free of worldly entanglements, while Ephesians emphasizes that a believer must be spiritually prepared and fully equipped with God's armor.
A young boy had just gotten his driving permit. He asked his father, who was a minister, if they could discuss his use of the family car.
ReplyDeleteHis father said to him, "I'll make a deal with you. You bring your grades up, study your bible a little, and get your hair cut, then we will talk about it."
A month later the boy came back and again asked his father if they could discuss his use of the car.
His father said, "Son, I'm real proud of you. You have brought your grades up, you've studied your bible diligently, but you didn't get a hair cut!"
The young man waited a moment and replied, "You know dad, I've been thinking about that. You know Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair."
His father replied, "Yes son, and they walked everywhere they went!"
Let's do it God's way...