Wearing the armor of the heart of Jesus Christ is a very important concept in Christian life. It means being protected in spiritual warfare, following the teachings of Jesus, and living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To explain this in detail, we can consider several aspects:
1. Basics of the Bible
Apostle Paul exhorts us in Ephesians chapter 6 to put on the full armor of God. This is a spiritual weapon to fight against the devil's tricks and the evil forces of the world in spiritual warfare.
Ephesians 6:11-13 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of this dark world, against heavenly beings. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
2. Armor of the Heart: Breastplate of Righteousness
The armor of the heart is likened to the ‘breastplate of righteousness’, which protects our hearts and helps us live a righteous life. The breastplate of righteousness protects our heart and protects it from sin and temptation.
Ephesians 6:14 “Stand therefore, with your loins girdled with truth, and with the breastplate of righteousness upon you.”
3. Guidance and protection of the Holy Spirit
Receiving the guidance of the Holy Spirit is an important element of putting on the heart armor of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit guides us to the truth, enables us to discern God's will, and changes our lives.
John 16:13 “But when the Spirit of truth has come, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own authority, but what he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you things to come.”
4. Strengthening through the Word
The Word of God is a spiritual weapon that strengthens our hearts and helps us win spiritual warfare. Reading and meditating on the Bible strengthens your faith and helps you grow spiritually.
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and is a judge of the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
5. Will through prayer
Prayer is a means of communication with God, protecting our spiritual condition and relying on God's power. Continuous prayer focuses our hearts on God and serves as a shield in spiritual warfare.
Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. "
6. Practice of love and forgiveness
To imitate the heart of Jesus is to practice love and forgiveness. The love and forgiveness Jesus showed us puts on the heart of Christ when we do the same to others.
John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
7. Unity with the community
Through unity with the church community, we can encourage and support one another and win the spiritual war together. The fellowship of saints strengthens our spiritual armor.
Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we encourage one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as some do, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
8. Humility and obedience
Putting on the mind of Jesus Christ means humility and obedience. When we live by the example of humility and obedience that Jesus showed us, we become like his heart.
Philippians 2:5-8 “Have this mind among yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, And being found in appearance, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Through these elements, putting on the armor of the heart of Jesus Christ becomes the foundation of our religious life and helps us move closer to God and win spiritual warfare.