Song: "Behold! A Royal Army" Hymns #251
Scripture:
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:
Story:
I should like to give you from the scriptures some examples which show how those who are clothed in such armor, which means keeping all the commandments of God, are able to withstand the adversary, or their enemies. Let me tell you about David (see 1 Sam. 17).
The Philistines were at war with Israel, and Goliath, the Philistine, was challenging Israel to send a man to fight him, with the understanding that the losers would be slaves of the conquerors.
We are told that Goliath had a helmet of brass upon his head and was armed with a coat of mail; that he had brass upon his legs and between his shoulders; that the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; that his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and a shieldbearer went before him.
On the other hand, when David agreed to meet the Philistine he took only his staff and chose five smooth stones out of the brook and put them in his shepherd’s bag.
When Goliath saw this young man the Israelites had sent to challenge him, he was disdainful and said: “Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
“This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; … that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” (1 Sam. 17:44–46.)
Then David, clothed with the armor of God, took a stone from his bag and, with his sling, shot it into the forehead of Goliath, an unprotected part of his body, and he fell dead.
(N. Eldon Tanner, “Put on the Whole Armor of God” April 1979 general conference.)
Object Lesson:
What you'll need: two oranges and a see-through mixing bowl, pitcher, or vase.
Directions: Fill the container with water. The water in the container represents temptations that can drag us down.
Peel one of the oranges and put it in the water. It may take a minute, but without its peel the orange will sink. Talk about how when we don't have spiritual armor around us (namely, faith in God and a strong testimony in His gospel), we more easily sink into sin.
Then take the unpeeled orange and put it in the water. It will stay afloat, just as we will if we put on the full armor of God.
Conference Talk:
Individual testimonies are the foundation and strength of the Church. Our testimony provides a guiding light that leads to a commitment which directs our conduct and our way of life. Our testimony is true north on a spiritual compass. It is a moving force that cannot be seen but can truly be felt. It is a burning within us that tells us what is right.
Read the full talk, "The Importance of Receiving a Personal Testimony" by Robert D. Hales.
Activity: You and your family can make your own "armor of God" to remind you of this lesson. Find simple directions here or come up with your own!
The Armor of God coin is carried as a physical reminder to be faithful and valiant as we move forward in our daily battles for truth and salvation.
This high relief coin incorporates two soldiers on one side (male and female) clothed in each piece of armor described in Ephesians 6 surrounded by 'Put on the Whole Armor of God' and the declaration 'Standing Firm in Faith'. The other side displays the individual pieces of armor and their scriptural description and reference (Ephesians 6:11-17).
"The devil is a dirty fighter, and we must be aware of his tactics."
How can you win battles with Satan? The proper defense is the Armor of God. Find out how you can wear the Armor by reading this classic book by Steven A. Cramer.