Too foolish to dress appropriately?

God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. (Ephesians 6:12)

We all know someone who thinks they have it all together, but we know differently because their actions speak a whole lot louder than their words, don't they? The more they attempt to convince others that they are doing okay, the worse it gets for them. To be unwilling to admit we are weak in certain areas of our lives is foolishness. No one is without some area of weakness that plagues them from time to time, or perhaps way too often. We need all the help we can get to combat those desires that creep up, the frustrations we face way too frequently, and the downright misguided ways of thinking that keep us from living upright lives. We need to take what God offers, but sometimes we are too doggone stubborn to even admit to him that we don't have our lives all together!

Well-made weapons at our disposal, but we are too proud to take them up, put them on, and learn how to use them against the enemy, the devil. Look again at that passage - they are actually set out for us - we don't even have to look all that hard for them. It is like we have a 'spiritual valet' who lays them all out in front of us and all we have to do is step into them, or take them up, and then put them into use. Humble people aren't afraid to admit they have need of God's help, and they aren't too stubborn to use everything he puts at their disposal! It is the proud that face the greatest challenge. A follower of Christ isn't afraid to accept all he has prepared for them because they know without that preparedness, they will suffer great loss and countless 'war wounds'.

Far more than you can handle on your own. Those are pretty telling words, but those unwilling to admit they need what God has graciously prepared for their protection are too stubborn to admit the battle is 'too hot for them to handle'. We may not always know which weapon will be the one we need, but to leave even one of the things God has prepared for us 'unworn' is to go into battle unprepared. Leave without taking up God's Word in your heart and you will have no way to defend yourself against the lies of the devil. Refuse to allow God's peace to cover your every movement and you will have no way to resist the doubts that come as tiny attacks all day long. Don't be foolish - be adorned with all the armor God grants. Just sayin!