Our Armour

 

The Armour of God: put on the whole Armour of God

In hindsight, reflecting on my life and the failures I’ve recorded, it all boils down to one thing: deception. No matter how you slice it, deception, in one form or another, paved the way for sin to dominate. Lies believed—about God, myself, or the world—opened doors that should have stayed closed. In fact, John highlights this point in the closing chapters of the book of Revelation; Revelation 19:20 “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”

This is the reason why Paul stresses the importance of the Armour of God…

“Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” — Ephesians 6:11

Following earlier reflections, it is worth revisiting the armour of God—not to admire it, but to understand its necessity and use.

What Is the Armour of God?

The armour of God is God’s provision for every believer engaged in spiritual battle. It is not physical but spiritual in nature: truth, righteousness, readiness through the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. Each piece protects a vital area of our spiritual life, reminding us of our vulnerability without it and our security when we are clothed in it.

The command to “put on” is active. Possession alone is not enough. Like a soldier preparing for combat, we are called to clothe ourselves intentionally and daily. Passive faith will not sustain us; vigilance and obedience are required. The instruction to put on the whole armour leaves no room for complacency. We are at war—daily, consistently, and without pause.

Who Is the Enemy?

The battle is fought on multiple fronts:

• The enemy within: James warns,

“Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” — James 1:14

Unchecked desire gives birth to sin, and sin leads to death. This struggle is universal; no one is exempt.

• The external pressure of the world:

“The desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions… is passing away.” — 1 John 2:16–17

The world appeals to what is temporary, yet God calls us to what endures.

• The spiritual adversary: Satan opposes God and His people, moving relentlessly to accuse, tempt, and deceive:

“From going to and fro on the earth.” — Job 1:7

Paul reminds us:

“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood…” — Ephesians 6:12

Satan typically overpowers through deception. Lies believed become strongholds, enslaving hearts and minds. There is, however, one exception: demonic possession is an act of power. In Scripture, possession suppresses will and dominates the body, only reversed by the authority of Christ. Yet even here, deception often precedes power—truth rejected and sin embraced create vulnerability.

Why We Need the Armour

With temptation rising from within, seduction pressing from without, and spiritual warfare pressing in from beyond, God’s armour is essential. It enables us to live out His will and reflect His glory, rather than relying on our own strength.

Christ Himself is our example. He surrendered comfort, security, and status in obedience to the Father:

“The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” — Luke 9:58

Victory flows from submission, not self-effort.

Putting On the Armour: Piece by Piece

The Belt of Truth

Truth holds everything together. Without it, the rest of the armour becomes ineffective. This is God’s revealed truth—His Word shaping thought and conduct. Satan traffics in deception; truth exposes and restrains his schemes.

“Your word is truth.” — John 17:17

The Breastplate of Righteousness

The breastplate guards the heart—our will, affections, and inner life. Righteousness is first received through Christ and then expressed through obedience. Tolerating sin leaves the heart exposed; walking in righteousness weakens accusation.

“That in him we might become the righteousness of God.” — 2 Corinthians 5:21

Feet Fitted with the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace

A soldier who cannot stand cannot fight. The gospel gives firm footing—peace with God that steadies and prepares for action. This peace is not passive; it enables endurance under pressure.

“We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1

The Shield of Faith

Faith is our mobile defence. It extinguishes the flaming darts of doubt, fear, accusation, and temptation. Faith is active trust, consistently raised, rendering attacks ineffective.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God.” — Hebrews 11:6

The Helmet of Salvation

The helmet protects the mind. Assurance of salvation guards against despair, confusion, and condemnation. The mind anchors the walk.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1

The Sword of the Spirit — The Word of God

This is the only offensive weapon. The Word cuts through deception and establishes the truth. Jesus modelled this in the wilderness: every temptation met with “It is written.”

“The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.” — Hebrews 4:12

Prayer: Dependence, Not Decoration

Prayer sustains the armour. It keeps the believer dependent on God rather than on self, sharpens discernment, and keeps pride in check. A prayerless Christian is not strong, regardless of knowledge or skill.

Who Can Wear the Armour?

The armour belongs to those born of the Spirit—believers in the risen Christ. Partial obedience leaves one exposed. Full obedience is required:

“Put on the whole armour of God.” — Ephesians 6:11

Read it slowly. Let the Word strengthen your soul. Stand fully clothed.

Standing Is the Victory

The armour of God does not create victory—Christ already has. The armour enables believers to stand when deception presses in from every side.

Most believers do not fall because they are suddenly overpowered. They fall because preparation becomes inconsistent, truth is loosened, and discernment dulls over time.

Paul’s instruction remains clear:

“Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” — Ephesians 6:13

Standing is not dramatic. It is disciplined. It is holding ground when compromise is easier.

Wearing the armour shouldn't be just a ritual; it should be a habitual part of life. Gradually, truth influences your thoughts, righteousness guides your actions, peace stabilises your reactions, faith becomes second nature, and salvation defines your identity. The Word turns into your automatic response.

Stand clothed.
Stand alert.
Stand anchored in truth.

Because in this battle, passivity is costly—and deception is never harmless.

Until next time,

Signing off

Tyrone

The Clock...

 

The Law, The Cross and the Right Conclusion

As time passes, looking in the mirror becomes increasingly confronting. Eyes sag, waists thicken, and wrinkles appear where none existed before. This is the shared human experience—the steady march of time that spares no one, except through calamity. Scripture reminds us that most are given three score and ten, seventy years, to work it all out.

The sobering question is this: how many actually reach the right conclusion?

Solomon did. After wealth, pleasure, wisdom, labour, and legacy had all been tested and found wanting, he wrote:

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
— Ecclesiastes 12:13–14

This is not the conclusion of a naïve man, but of one who had everything the world could offer and found it still not enough. His words press us toward an unavoidable reality: life moves towards judgment, and meaning is found only in our relationship with God.

That brings us to a necessary question—one that cannot be avoided if we are to understand our standing before Him: how do we reconcile the law with the sacrifice of Christ, and what does that mean for us today?

To answer that, we must first understand the law itself and the role it plays in the life of mankind.

The Law: God’s Standard Revealed

The law was given to the Jews through Moses at Sinai, not as a means of salvation but as a revelation of God’s holiness. It established Israel as a covenant people and revealed what righteousness looks like in the sight of a holy God.

Scripture is clear about the law’s primary function:

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
— Romans 3:20

The law functioned as a mirror. Sin existed before the law, but the law named, defined, and exposed it. Through commandments and statutes, God showed Israel His standard—and in doing so revealed how far mankind had fallen short of it.

A Tutor, Not a Saviour

Paul describes the law as a schoolmaster:

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
— Galatians 3:24

For the Jewish people, the law restrained evil, ordered society, and governed worship, morality, and daily life. Yet it could not transform the heart. It diagnosed the disease but offered no cure.

This limitation was made unmistakably clear through the sacrificial system.

“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.”
— Hebrews 10:4

The repetition of sacrifices was not a sign of success but of insufficiency. Sin was covered temporarily, never removed permanently.

Separation and Identity

The law also served to separate Israel from the surrounding nations:

“Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments… and I have separated you from other people.”
— Leviticus 20:22–24

Dietary laws, Sabbaths, festivals, and ceremonial practices set Israel apart. These were daily reminders that they belonged to God and were called to reflect His holiness before the nations.

Yet history records repeated failure—not because the law was flawed, but because the human heart was.

“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”
— Romans 7:12

The problem was never the law. The problem was sin.

From Law to Fulfilment

If the law revealed God’s standard and exposed mankind’s inability to meet it, it also pointed beyond itself. It was never meant to be the final word—it was a signpost.

The law demanded righteousness but could not produce it. It restrained behaviour but could not redeem the heart. In this way, it prepared the ground for something greater—someone greater.

Jesus Himself made this clear:

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
— Matthew 5:17

The law revealed the need, and Christ fulfilled it.

Christ: The Fulfilment of the Law

What the law demanded, Christ fulfilled. Every requirement, every commandment, and every standard of righteousness was met perfectly in Him.

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
— Romans 10:4

He obeyed where Israel failed. He lived without sin under the very law that condemned all others. In doing so, He became the spotless sacrifice the law required.

Under the old covenant, blood was continually shed. Under the new covenant, blood was shed only once.

“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.”
— Hebrews 10:12

The cross was not God overlooking sin—it was God satisfying justice. Sin still demanded death, and Christ bore it in our place.

From External Obedience to Internal Transformation

The law worked from the outside in. Christ works from the inside out.

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.”
— Ezekiel 36:26

Salvation is no longer pursued through effort but received by faith:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
— Ephesians 2:8–9

This is not freedom to sin but freedom from sin’s dominion. The law could command holiness; Christ produces it.

The Law Written on the Heart

The promise spoken through Jeremiah is fulfilled in Christ.

“I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts.”
— Hebrews 8:10

Obedience is the fruit of transformation, not the price of acceptance. The believer keeps God’s commandments not to be saved, but because they are saved.

The Right Conclusion

Time strips away illusions. Strength fades, certainty weakens, and the mirror reminds us that life is moving towards judgement. The law was given to reveal that reality. Christ was given to redeem it.

Solomon’s conclusion still stands:

“Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

For the believer, this is no longer lived out under condemnation but in reverent gratitude. The law has done its work. The sacrifice has been made. The invitation remains.

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve.”

The correct conclusion is not found in striving harder or doing better. It is found in surrender—trusting fully in the finished work of Christ and allowing the law of God to be written not on stone but on the heart.

Ultimately, the question is not whether God will judge. Scripture makes that certain. The question is whether we will stand in our own righteousness—or in His.

All Hail King Jesus, now and forever more, Amen and Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone

A Tree and its Fruit

 

You Will Know a Tree by Its Fruit

Jesus tells us plainly that a tree is known by its fruit — not by its claims, appearance, or sincerity.

“You will know them by their fruits.” — Matthew 7:16

Fruit reveals essence. It exposes what is truly at work beneath the surface. In the same way, when we speak of God, discern His voice, or test what claims to be “from Him,” we must begin with this unshakable truth: the essence of God is inseparably tied to His Word.

God does not act outside of His Word, contradict His Word, or evolve beyond it.

“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent.” — Numbers 23:19

Scripture is not merely a record of who God was; it is the revelation of who He is. To separate God from His Word is to create a god shaped by emotion, culture, or personal experience rather than by truth. When God speaks, He sounds like Scripture. When He leads, He leads in line with what He has already revealed.

This is why discernment begins and ends with the Word of God — not impressions, trends, or inner conviction.

“Your word is truth.” — John 17:17

Any voice, insight, or direction that produces fruit contrary to Scripture does not come from Him, no matter how convincing it may seem.

Sincerity Is Not Proof of Truth

Sincerity is often mistaken for spiritual credibility. If someone speaks passionately or appears convinced, we assume truth is present. Yet Scripture never uses sincerity as a measure of truth.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” — Proverbs 14:12

Sincerity answers the question, “Do I believe this?”
Scripture answers a far more important one: “Is this from God?”

The heart, when detached from God’s Word, is not a reliable guide.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” — Jeremiah 17:9

Jesus warned that deception would not come in a false appearance. It would sound convincing, appear righteous, and even bear what looks like fruit.

“Beware of false prophets… you will recognize them by their fruits.” — Matthew 7:15–16

God does not sanctify error merely because it is heartfelt. Where sincerity replaces Scripture as the final authority, discernment weakens, obedience becomes negotiable, and faith quietly reshapes itself around preference rather than truth.

Obedience and Fruit Cannot Be Separated

Obedience is not an optional expression of faith; it is its evidence.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” — John 14:15

Where God’s Word is truly believed, obedience follows — not perfectly, but genuinely. Obedience is the root response to truth; fruit is the visible result. A life submitted to Scripture will, over time, bear fruit that reflects God’s character: humility, repentance, clarity, and love.

When obedience is delayed, selective, or conditional, the fruit may still appear — but it will be inconsistent, compromised, or short-lived.

Scripture teaches that obedience trains discernment.

“…their powers of discernment trained by constant practice.” — Hebrews 5:14

When obedience is ignored or redefined, discernment dulls. What once convicted us begins to feel acceptable, and the shift often goes unnoticed until the fruit of our actions has already ripened.

“…whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” — Galatians 6:7

Fruit is not only what we produce — it is also what we permit. A good tree does not strive to appear fruitful. It simply is.

Pruning for Greater Fruit

Just as God examines our obedience, He also prunes us — removing what hinders growth so that more fruit can flourish. Pruning can feel uncomfortable, even painful, yet it is always a purposeful process. God may remove habits, relationships, or patterns that subtly compromise our alignment with His Word.

“Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” — John 15:2

Pruning is not punishment; it is preparation. A tree cannot produce abundant, healthy fruit if it carries dead or obstructive branches. In the same way, God’s pruning shapes our character, sharpens our discernment, and strengthens our obedience. What is cut away may feel like loss, but it makes room for growth, clarity, and the fruit that will glorify Him.

Carrying Mistakes and the Weight of the Past

Our mistakes can feel like heavy burdens, lingering long after the moment has passed. They can weigh on our conscience, shake our confidence, and make obedience feel impossible. Yet Scripture reminds us that God’s pruning and refining are not about punishment — they’re about preparation. He does not leave us bound to our past failures; He reshapes us so we can bear more fruit.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9

Mistakes, when surrendered to God, become tools for growth rather than chains of shame. The pruning process often touches the areas where we’ve stumbled — removing pride, impatience, or reliance on our own understanding. The weight of our past is real, yet it does not define our fruitfulness.

Being a vessel of honour does not mean never failing; it means yielding fully to God’s shaping hand and trusting Him to transform even our failures into lessons in obedience, humility, and discernment.

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” — Romans 5:3–4

A Vessel of Honour

Paul reminds us that in a great house, not every vessel serves the same purpose.

“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honourable use, some for dishonourable.”
— 2 Timothy 2:20

God is sovereign over the house. He determines the setting, the calling, and the authority. That is not ours to decide. Yet Paul does not stop there.

“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonourable, he will be a vessel for honour, set apart as holy, useful to the Master, ready for every good work.”
— 2 Timothy 2:21

Here is where the weight falls on us. Honour is connected to cleansing. Usefulness is connected to obedience. This is not about perfection, gifting, or position — it is about submission to God’s Word. A vessel of honour is not defined by how visible it is, but by how yielded it is.

Our mistakes do not disqualify us. What we refuse to surrender will limit how we are used. When we allow God to remove what dishonours Him, even through pruning, He reshapes us for a greater purpose. He decides where we fit — but obedience determines how usable we are.

Becoming a Vessel of Honour

Are good intentions enough? Does not God desire vessels prepared to carry His glory? A vessel of honour is not born perfected — it is trained, purified, and yielded through obedience, discipline, and pruning.

“Now flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. … Pursue holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” — 2 Timothy 2:22–21

God’s Sovereignty in Our Placement

Ultimately, it is God who decides where we fit, how we grow, and what purpose we fulfil. He is sovereign, and His plans for us are perfect, even when pruning, mistakes, or trials feel heavy. Our role is not to demand our position or timing, but to yield fully to His Word and guidance, trusting that His hand shapes our fruitfulness and usefulness in His kingdom.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11

This reminds us that being a vessel of honour, bearing fruit, and enduring pruning are all God’s work in us. Our obedience and surrender cooperate with His sovereignty; our responsibility is to remain yielded and faithful, whatever the process entails.

A Personal Call to Examination

Before we examine the fruit in others, Scripture calls us to examine our own tree.

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5

The question is not whether we sound right, speak confidently, or appear sincere — but whether our lives align with God’s Word.

It is possible to know Scripture and yet resist obedience in quiet ways. It is possible to speak truth publicly while negotiating submission privately. Fruit exposes these tensions, not to condemn us but to call us back into alignment.

God does not ask how strongly we feel; He asks whether we are willing to yield.

“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” — Luke 6:46

So, the question remains simple and urgent: What fruit is my life producing right now?
Not in theory.
Not in the past.
But in this present season.

Jesus’ words have not changed:

“Every healthy tree bears good fruit.” — Matthew 7:17

And the good news is this — when our lives are rooted again in His Word and yielded in obedience, the fruit will follow.

Signing off

Tyrone