One of my favorite passages in the Bible is found in Ephesians 6:10-17. It tells us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 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. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, ‘HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the word of God.” Think about this armor. Our loins girded with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith to extinguish the flaming missiles, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Each piece provides protection. Each piece is necessary to withstand when the enemy comes at us. The full armor of God is needed to stand firm. Paul puts a visual of what is needed for Christians to wear. He breaks down each piece so that when put on, the importance of each piece comes together as full armor to withstand the enemy. Our loins girded with truth. The truth that Jesus Christ died for our sins and is the way, the truth and the life. Truth that God is our Shepherd. We shall not want. Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil for God is with us. We put on the breastplate of righteousness. God’s righteousness that protects the vulnerable parts, our heart. When we accept Jesus as our Savior our heart aligns with God. Having shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. We are to be prepared to walk and share the gospel of peace. In addition, taking of the shield of faith. Faith is hope and confidence of God. The shield is our defense to ward off the enemy attacks. This part of the armor requires action. We must take up the shield to actively use against the enemy’s arrows. I like that the American Standard Bible says “extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one”. Whatever the enemy throws at us, the shield of faith will ward it off, if we pick it up. Our participation is using the shield of faith. Faith that God sent His Son to redeem us. Faith that God has made a path for us to have eternal life. Take the helmet of salvation. Protecting our minds from the enemy when he is throwing doubt that we will be able to withstand him. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God in our hands. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, He said to the devil “It is written”. You see God’s word does not change (Malachi 3:6). The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8). We are called to fight the good fight. 2 Timothy 2:3-6 says “Suffer hardships with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No solider in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a solder.” God has given us all we need in the full armor of God. “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything stand firm.” Amen.