Arming God's Warrior

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (1 Peter 5:8)

Today we face a society that is purely backwards from God's word. A child of God faces a barrage of evil daily; a barrage that we must strive to combat. We have murder and rape in our streets, federally legalized sodomy, abortion (which has killed more human beings than Adolph Hitler), and as many other ways of attack from the devil that are conceivable. In this day and age, evil people have successfully removed God's word from our school and courthouses. These things, in fact, are more than isolated incidents, they are the very battles in the ongoing war between God's children and evil. Contrary to modern military battles, God's warriors have to arm themselves with a different type of armor. "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11)

"Stand therefore having your loins gird about with truth..." (Eph 6:14). We must strive to be a moral, honest people. If we seek the truth, speak the truth, and defend the truth, our words will not come around to ruin us. Have you ever known someone to tell a lie, only to have that lie blow up in his face later? No one trusts a liar, and we are to trust each other. An honest man's word will endure through harsh weather.

Let us put on the "breastplate of righteousness" (Eph 6:14) . The dictionary defines the word "righteous" as "acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin." Though it is impossible for a man in flesh to be free from guilt or sin, its never a bad thing to strive for! We can never be perfect, but we can diligently try to follow the commandments given to us (even if they are not allowed in stone inside our courthouses). We must live by example by following and respecting our God's rules.

We should "shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace." (Eph 6:15). Walk peacefully with your brethren.

"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." (Eph 6:16). God gives an incredible strength through faith. God granted the apostles the ability to do many miracles through faith. Though we are not given the power of the apostles, remaining faithful will benefit us greatly. God will never fail us! His way is always best, because he always knows best! Sometimes the answer isn't what we would like to hear, but his will is better. Let us keep our faith that He knows best at all times, and will never forsake us.

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" (Eph 6:17). The head is the most sensitive part of our bodies. God has covered our heads with a helmet unbreakable, the helmet of salvation. We can never lose this, as we will never lose the love of the Lord (Romans 8:38-39). Also, let us use the "word of God," by reading it, studying it, living by its standards, and teaching it to those who have the ear to listen.

Finally, let us continue to be "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" (Eph 6:18). If we often communicate with our Lord, we will better experience the relationship He with us. It brings a closeness to God, who gives us guidance.

In this world a child of God wrestles 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 (Eph 6:12). I pray that we arm ourselves appropriately so that our children will have the same free country to worship in as we do. This country has survived only because of God, and His church. We have lost so much already due to inaction on our parts. If we don't act to stop evil now, we cannot expect to keep what God has mercifully given us.