Topical Encyclopedia In the Christian faith, the trust of the saints is fundamentally placed not in carnal weapons or earthly means of defense, but in the spiritual power and protection of God. This principle is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible, where believers are encouraged to rely on divine strength rather than physical armaments.Biblical Foundation The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, emphasizes the spiritual nature of the Christian's warfare: "For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). This passage underscores the belief that the true power of the saints lies in spiritual resources provided by God, rather than in physical weapons. Similarly, in Ephesians 6:10-17, Paul instructs believers to "put on the full armor of God," which includes elements such as the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the shield of faith. These are metaphorical representations of spiritual virtues and divine protection, highlighting that the believer's trust should be in God's provision rather than in human strength or weaponry. Old Testament Insights The Old Testament also reflects this theme, as seen in the account of David and Goliath. David, a young shepherd, confronts the giant Goliath not with traditional weapons of war but with faith in God. He declares, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (1 Samuel 17:45). David's victory is attributed to his reliance on God rather than on physical might. The Example of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ Himself exemplified this principle throughout His earthly ministry. When Peter attempted to defend Him with a sword during His arrest, Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Put your sword back in its place. For all who draw the sword will die by the sword" (Matthew 26:52). Jesus' response highlights the futility of relying on carnal weapons and points to a higher trust in God's redemptive plan. The Early Church The early Christian church continued to embody this trust in spiritual rather than carnal means. The Acts of the Apostles records numerous instances where the apostles faced persecution and threats without resorting to physical defense. Instead, they relied on prayer, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the power of their testimony to advance the Gospel. Conclusion The trust of the saints, as depicted in the Bible, is firmly rooted in the spiritual realm. Believers are called to rely on God's power, wisdom, and protection, recognizing that true victory and security come not from earthly weapons but from faith in the Almighty. This trust is a defining characteristic of the Christian life, shaping the way believers engage with the world and confront challenges. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Samuel 17:38,39,45And Saul armed David with his armor, and he put an helmet of brass on his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 44:6 2 Corinthians 10:4 Library Satan Considering the Saints Mason -- Messiah's Throne Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness ... A Discourse The Third Book The Sword of the Spirit The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem Of the Power of the Church in Articles of Faith. The Unbridled ... The Wounds of Jesus Life in Christ Resources What does it mean to trust in Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I learn to trust in the faithfulness of God? | GotQuestions.org How could Job say, “Though He slay me, I will trust in Him”? | GotQuestions.org Trust: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Trust of Saints Is in the Mercy of God Trust of Saints Is in the Word of God Trust of Saints Is: Despised by the Wicked Trust of Saints Is: Grounded on the Covenant Trust of Saints Is: Not in Carnal Weapons Trust of Saints Is: Not in the Flesh Trust of Saints Is: Not in Themselves Trust of Saints Is: Strong in the Prospect of Death Trust of Saints Is: Through Christ Trust of Saints Is: Unalterable Trust of the Wicked is in Earthly Alliances Trust of the Wicked is in Falsehood Trust of the Wicked is in Idols Trust of the Wicked is in Their own Heart Trust of the Wicked is in Their own Righteousness Trust of the Wicked is in Vanity Trust of the Wicked is in Wealth Trust of the Wicked is not in God Trust of the Wicked is Vain and Delusive Trust of the Wicked: Israelites Trust of the Wicked: Sennacherib Trust of the Wicked: Shall be Destroyed Trust of the Wicked: Shall Make Them Ashamed Trust of the Wicked--Illustrated Trust: Blessedness of Placing, in God Trust: Encouragements to Former Deliverances Trust: Encouragements to The Care of God for Us Trust: Encouragements to The Everlasting Strength of God Trust: Encouragements to The Goodness of God Trust: Encouragements to The Loving-Kindness of God Trust: Encouragements to The Rich Bounty of God Trust: God is the True Object of Trust: Leads to Being Compassed With Mercy Trust: Leads to Deliverance from Enemies Trust: Leads to Enjoyment of all Temporal and Spiritual Blessings Trust: Leads to Enjoyment of Happiness Trust: Leads to Enjoyment of Perfect Peace Trust: Leads to Fulfilment of all Holy Desires Trust: Leads to Rejoicing in God Trust: Leads to Safety in Times of Danger Trust: Saints Plead, in Prayer Trust: should be from Youth Up Trust: should be With the Whole Heart Trust: The Fear of God Leads To Trust: The Lord Knows Those Who Have Trust: To be Accompanied by Doing Good Related Terms |