Dressed For War

Ephesians 6:10-18, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
“Onward Christian soldiers marching as to war,” words from the old hymn remind us we are always to be ready to fight the devil. As Paul was writing to the Ephesian Christians he was giving them a picture of what one who was going into battle was to look like. It was a picture they all knew very well, that of a Roman soldier. Paul knew when we accept Christ as Savior we join the Army of God and would always be in a battle with God’s arch enemy, Satan. He also knew no one should go into battle without being fully prepared for the battle ahead.
Every day we wake up we enter into a battle with the devil. He is set to kill or damage as many Christians as he possibly can. He knows most never are prepared for the fight and as such will be defeated. Paul is showing us how we can win every battle and put the devil in his place.
In the business world we are always told we should dress for success. Why do we think we need not prepare for battle in a like manner? Our military folks never go into combat without being fully prepared. They know that should they enter combat without all the protection and weapons necessary they are facing certain death. We too cannot face the devil and his army without being fully dressed and ready for battle.
We face not a physical enemy but a spiritual one. One who is skilled in deception and stealth. One who will find your weakest point ant attack with all his might! For if he can make you look bad your testimony will be damaged and then he can scatter the army. Paul is telling us we all need to put on the whole armor of God so that we can face this enemy with the power of God. Try this for one week imagine as you wake each day that your first dress for war by putting on God’s armor asking God to give you strength for the trials of the day. Then thank Him at day’s end for the victory over sin and temptation.