Put on the Armor of God

In our modern world of scientific advancements and rational thinking, it's easy to dismiss the idea of spiritual warfare as outdated or irrelevant. Yet, despite our progress, we find ourselves more anxious, depressed, and addicted than ever before. Could it be that in our attempts to explain away the spiritual dimension of life, we've left ourselves vulnerable to unseen battles?

The reality is, we're engaged in a spiritual conflict whether we acknowledge it or not. This isn't about seeing demons behind every difficulty or blaming the devil for every mishap. It's about recognizing that behind our visible struggles, there's an invisible spiritual reality at play.

Think of it like this: when your computer crashes, you understand there's more going on than just a frozen screen. There's code running in the background, potential Wi-Fi issues, or even malware attacks. Similarly, when we face temptation, when our marriages are under strain, or when we feel spiritually dry, there's often a spiritual dimension to these challenges.

The enemy's strategy isn't always dramatic or obvious. In marriage, he doesn't need to cause a scandalous affair; he just needs to create enough distance that couples stop pursuing each other. In parenting, he doesn't need to make us terrible parents; he just needs to make us so busy and stressed that we forget to shepherd our children's hearts. At work, he doesn't need to make us dishonest; he just needs to make us believe our identity comes from our performance rather than from God.

The goal isn't to make us obviously evil, but functionally godless. It's a subtle, methodical warfare designed to erode our faith, fracture our families, and dim our witness.

So how do we respond? We need to "armor up" with God's protection. But before we can put on God's armor, we must recognize and remove the counterfeit armor we often wear:

1. The belt of busyness: We equate a full calendar with importance and worth.
2. The breastplate of affluence and achievement: We protect our identity with job titles, bank balances, and accomplishments.
3. The shoes of comfort and ease: We make decisions based on convenience, avoiding discomfort at all costs.
4. The shield of safety: We create bubbles of security, treating suffering as an unjust intrusion.
5. The helmet of control: We try to manage every variable, believing we can secure our own future.

This cultural armor is nothing more than cardboard and tinfoil in the face of real spiritual battles. Instead, we're called to put on the whole armor of God:

1. The belt of truth: Committing to God's reality, not cultural relativism.
2. The breastplate of righteousness: Trusting in Christ's perfection, not our performance.
3. The shoes of gospel peace: Finding stability in our reconciliation with God.
4. The shield of faith: Deflecting doubt and despair with trust in God's character and promises.
5. The helmet of salvation: Protecting our minds with the assurance of our identity in Christ.
6. The sword of the Spirit (God's Word): Our offensive weapon against lies and temptation.

This armor isn't just for show – it needs to be put on daily through spiritual disciplines like Bible study, prayer, and meditation on Scripture.

Prayer is a crucial component of our spiritual warfare. It's not just a therapeutic exercise or a wish list for God. Biblical prayer is an act of warfare itself. It's how we advance God's kingdom, push back darkness, and align ourselves with God's purposes. Effective spiritual warfare prayer is:

1. Persistent: Matching the intensity of the spiritual battles we face.
2. Specific: Targeting particular areas of struggle and need.
3. Spirit-empowered: Relying on the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength.
4. Corporate: Praying not just for ourselves, but for the broader community of believers.

Developing a prayer strategy is essential. Start small – perhaps with 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the evening – and build from there. Remember, prayer works not because we're spiritual giants, but because God is powerful.

As we engage in this spiritual battle, we must remember that we're not fighting for victory, but from victory. Jesus has already defeated sin, death, and the devil. Our role is to stand firm in that victory, actively resisting the enemy's attempts to make us forget or doubt what Christ has accomplished.

Finishing strong in this spiritual marathon requires:

1. Endurance: Building spiritual strength gradually, like adding small weights to a barbell over time.
2. Community: Surrounding ourselves with fellow believers for support and accountability.
3. Focus: Keeping our eyes on Jesus and the finish line, not getting distracted by past failures or present challenges.
4. Grace: Recognizing that we'll stumble, but God's grace is sufficient to carry us through.

The call to "be strong" and "stand firm" might feel overwhelming. You might look at your life and see countless failures and weaknesses. But that's precisely the point – our weakness is where God's strength is made perfect.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus fought the ultimate spiritual battle on a hill outside Jerusalem. He faced the full force of sin, death, and evil – and He won. When He died on the cross, He didn't just pay for our sins; He defeated our enemies. When He rose from the dead, He demonstrated His victory over every dark power.

The enemy wants you to forget this truth. He wants you to live in defeat, discouragement, and despair. But you don't have to. You can live in victory because Jesus has already won.

So pick up your armor. Stand firm in Christ. Fight like you believe in His victory. The battle is real, but the outcome is certain. Your King has already triumphed, and He stands with you on the battlefield.

Your weakness isn't disqualifying – it's the very place where His strength shines brightest. The question isn't whether you're strong enough (you're not), but whether He is (He absolutely is).

The victory has been won. Now, armed with God's truth and empowered by His Spirit, step into each day ready to face whatever battles come your way. You're not just surviving – you're advancing the kingdom of light in a world of darkness. Stand tall, child of God. Your King goes before you, and the victory is already yours.