Christian’s are or should be standing firm, buckling down, focused, ready at any moment. We need to have our armor on, all of it. Is this because we are ready to fight, yes, but not people, the battle we are engaged in is spiritual. Yes, there are lots of horrible things going on, things that make you almost lose heart. People think that we are in control of what goes on in this world. In the Government, or other high offices. However, if you read scripture you have a clear understanding of who is in charge and who places people in high places, (for His purpose). Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but from God; the powers that be are ordained by God.”Just because you do not agree with God, or like what he is allowing does not make him any less Sovereign over it all.

Our world seems to be spinning wildly, everyone is out for himself/herself. Anything goes as long as it feels good. And everyone is going to heaven.
Scripture is plain when it tells us that “we do not 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.” (Ephesians 6:12), but how can we wrestle well if we are not spiritually in the trenches, watching for signs of the enemy lurking about. Should we ever be caught without our armor on? Ephesians 6:13-18 “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

We are in the day of evil! If you do not think so just look around listen to the news, whatever, it is here and getting worse. We are not called to fight people, we are called to love and to stand firm. And when we have done have stood, it is repeated to (Stand). What is standing firm? It is “refusing to abandon one’s belief, hold fast to what you know is true.” What is the belt of truth? It is what we read in God’s word, his truth is the only real truth there is that, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6,) it is only through him that we can be saved. What is the breastplate of righteousness? This piece of armor covers the heart. It protects the sinner from evil and deception. Our own righteous acts are no match for Satan’s attacks, this breastplate has Christ’s name stamped on it, and it protects this precious vital organ. His righteousness protects us!

We then come to the next part of our armor, our feet. What does being fitted with readiness mean? It is peace, the peace that comes from the Good News, and what is that good news, it is God’s peace, given to all those who believe. We have the assurance that we are God’s children, dearly loved. And we are to be ready, (vigilant) ready at all times like any good soldier in battle. We need to know the enemies strategies have our feet firmly planted to hold our ground. Next, we are to take up the shield of faith. What is this shield of faith? In Roman times this type of shield was called a scutum. It was as large as a door and could be used for full coverage of the soldier or for pushing back against the enemy. If a bunch of soldiers was being attacked they would all cover themselves in a group with their shields, like a tortoise shell protecting themselves against arrows and such. So, simply said it is a blanket of protection. The first barrier of protection against attack painted with the Commanders identification. Ours has Christ on it.

We then come to the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit. What are these used for? The helmet protects our brains, our minds. It is the last piece of battle armor to be put on a soldier. We need clear focused, alert minds to know what we are to do next and see plainly what the enemy is up to. Our minds are the command station of our bodies if our minds are not surrendered to the Lord, then our hearts and bodies will not be. Sin, starts as a thought then moves to the heart. We are told next to take up the Sword of the Spirit. What is that? We are read, meditate on and know the scriptures, God’s word. His word is called a sword in Hebrews 4:12, and is called living and active. Two-edged, sharp and powerful.

After all of this is complete we are told to pray continually on all occasions. What does this mean? We are to pray about all things. This does not mean we spend all day kneeling down and praying but offering up prayers all day in any situation. Do you find yourself offering small prayers up all the time, talking to God on your way to work etc. Bathe yourself in prayers, every day, every month every year. Sometimes hour by hour and minute by minute. Prayers offered to our Lord about whatever is on your mind and heart.

None of these pieces of armor are too hard for a Christian to do, if they were we would not have been told to put them on. It takes discipline, yes, but it is certainly not impossible. And if we put on the “full armor” as we are told, then this world and all it’s evil and craziness will not rob us of sleep or peace. We will know we possess in us all that we need to fight a good fight and finish well. And finish well is what we want to do, right?

I pray that you will be in the word, praying always, getting battle ready and marching forth in love. Stand firm soldier, stand firm!