But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. -- I Thessalonians 5:8, NASB
Yesterday I posted about relationships, especially parent-child, and how deeply they affect our emotional state. I suggested that human relationships cannot be relied upon ultimately for emotional strength, because humans are sinful. When there is conflict, it is helpful to think in terms of serving the needs of our "opponent" rather than battling them or attempting defense against them.
In Ephesians chapter 6, Paul exhorts the Ephesians to "put on the full armor of God," so as to "take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
What is a "breastplate of faith and love"? A breastplate is both protective and significant, symbolically distinctive or indicative of identity, especially the identity of the one on behalf of whom we fight. I think this applies to our relationships -- those interactions we have with other people -- in the following ways:
* Our defense against another in relational conflict is not accomplished through offensive action or use of some sort of weapon, but is a breastplate of faith and love.
* Our faith will defend us insofar as faith is a shield, a barrier that will not allow the potentially damaging words and actions of others to get through to our inner person.
* Our faith and love observed in such a situation identifies us as a Christian, not just as the individual we are. In this way our identity is Christ, not ourselves. God gives us a breastplate of faith and love to wear on His behalf.
* If we act in love rather than hiding in defense or lashing out in offense, love acts in our defense and offers Christ to our opponent.
