Put Him On

In life's battles, we often waste energy fighting the wrong enemies, just like someone battling green flies in their garden when caterpillars are the real culprits. Ephesians 6:12 clarifies that our struggle isn't against other people but against spiritual forces of evil. Satan works either by convincing people he doesn't exist or by making them so obsessed with him they're distracted from everything else.

In this spiritual warfare, we can't choose to be civilians—we must be soldiers prepared for battle. The armor of God equips us for this spiritual battle with six essential pieces: the Belt of Truth (Jesus and God's Word), the Breastplate of Righteousness (Christ's righteousness covering us), Gospel Shoes of Peace for stability and spreading good news, the Shield of Faith to extinguish fiery darts, the Helmet of Salvation to protect our minds, and the Sword of the Spirit (God's Word) as our offensive weapon.

Prayer isn't a piece of armor but rather a covering for all the armor. Scripture shows examples of spiritual warfare in Daniel's delayed answer, Job's trials, Paul's hindered travel plans, and throughout Jesus' life. By putting on this full armor daily and directing our fight against the right enemy, we become beacons of light in our communities.