Preparing for battle

Ephesians 6:17, “And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The Bible says in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” When we identify the real enemy of mankind, the one who comes but to steal, kill and destroy, we then can prepare for the battle. Paul writes our struggle is not against flesh and blood. It is not against someone we can see or hear, but against the one deceiving them. There is a reason the Bible tells us to take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 4:17-18 says, “This I say therefore and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart.” The helmet of salvation protects our minds from the lies the enemy throws. John 10:10 calls the enemy a thief, who comes only to steal, kill and destroy. Satan tries to steal our peace, our joy, and faith. His sole purpose is to kill and destroy mankind’s hope and relationship with God. A thief doesn’t steal something when he knows he is being watched, but waits until we are distracted, when our focus is elsewhere. When we have left our house unprotected that is when he attacks. When you put on a helmet, you know it’s there. It protects your head and brain from impacts and crashes by absorbing the force of the impact. The helmet of salvation absorbs the impact of sin. The armor of God described in Ephesians 6:11-18 has only one weapon involved, that is the word of God. We are given truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith and salvation as our armor. The only weapon needed is the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Be prepared to take up the word of God for every battle against you and know your enemy.