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!

Dressed, Ready, and Alert

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. (Ephesians 6:12-13)

If you haven't realized the innumerable forces standing against you, it is likely you've 'felt' their influence all around you. Unseen, in the periphery, and right there in front of you - the forces exist, are at work, and are constantly looking for any opportunity to call into question your faith and trust in God. Why? They don't like your determination to follow Jesus. You are a threat to them, so they want to make you think they are a threat to you!

Every piece of armor has been provided so we stand stronger than any attack they bring. Everything we think they have to use 'against us' is nothing more than them fighting against us with NERF guns! We have the Word of God to dispel all manner of untruth they fling our way. The breastplate of righteousness is ours because in Christ Jesus we bear his protection over our heart. Feet shod with the Gospel of Peace - making all we stand upon secure and certain. We take up the shield of faith, knowing God's protection outweighs anything the enemy can hurl our way. Our minds are protected by the helmet of salvation. The Spirit of God is like a sword to cut down all manner of attack against us. 

What does the armor do? It helps us to 'resist'. It doesn't keep us from attack, but it prepares us to be ready and able to resist the attack. We can withstand the actions and effects of evil all around us. The darkness still exists, but we aren't overcome by it because light dwells within. There is no better 'prep' for our day than to spend time with Jesus. It is like we are 'putting on' that whole armor of God as we do. Be more than an armor-bearer. Be an armor-wearer. Just sayin!