1 Thessalonians 5 - 6.3.21

Scripture - What stood out?

1 Thessalonians 5:8

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

Observation - What does it say?

This is the fifth chapter of the apostle Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica

Understanding - What does it mean?

I really really enjoy word pictures that relate to armor. Sadly before I truly accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior I had found and lost myself in countless tales of fantasy and science fiction literature. All that to say I really really dig the armor analogies in the bible!

The helmet guards the head or in our case the mind. And the spiritual helmet we are encouraged to put on is the “hope of salvation” in the ESV translation of the bible. 

The breastplate guards your heart. Literally. And we are encouraged to put on the spiritual breastplate of “faith and love”. 

God loves me. 

And I love God. 

My faith is in Jesus.

Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?

Lord, guard me from spiritual attacks today. 

When I see an attack aimed at my head I choose to dwell on the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ my Savior. 

When I see an attack aimed at my heart I choose to remember that God loves me. 

I will choose to fill my heart with my love and faith in Jesus Christ my Lord.

In the name of Jesus,

-kenneth lee