OUR LORD JESUS often taught using parables. A parable is an extended figure of speech in the form of a story designed to illustrate some spiritual lesson or truth.  Jesus explained that the “seed” in the parable of “The Sower” is the word of God and each kind of “ground” represents a different way of “hearing.”[i]

There are “shorter” forms of figures of speech. A metaphor, for instance, “states that one thing is another thing.” Jesus used a metaphor when he said “I am the vine.”

When Paul told the Ephesians to “put on the whole armor of God” he did not mean the Ephesians have to become like Roman soldiers who wore literal armors. It is what Paul says about the armor that is the point.

And I am afraid a lot of us may be missing Paul’s point. Or Paul’s use of metaphor.

Continue reading THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, What We Might Be Missing →