Defensive Armor

     The battles around us and within us are spiritual in nature. Our flesh battles against the Holy Spirit within us as believers. Satan flings his arrows at us to get us off track, to muddle our mind, and to destroy our trust in Jesus. In the 6^th chapter of the book of Ephesians, Paul gives us spiritual armor to wear. Most of this armor is defensive.

     Today, we will look at a few of the defensive pieces of armor. Place them around you as you wake up each morning.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  Ephesians 6:15-16

     When we clothe ourselves with Jesus, His presence protects us. Daily reminders of who He is and what we can do through Him will keep us safe under our spiritual armor.

     When the world tries to fool us into believing lies about God, we pull our belt of truth around us a little bit tighter. We know Jesus is the One. He is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:5). When we fall short or are reminded of our sinful nature, we are protected by the righteousness of Christ. God, the Father, sees the image of His Son when He looks at us. We are new creations. The old has gone. The new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

     Jesus gives us the peace that passes all understanding. It is not peace as the world gives, but the peace of becoming His children. The peace of the gospel of truth. The gospel that will give us eternal life. (See Philippians 4:6, 7 and John 14:27)

     Walk out the door with the shoes of God’s peace. The gospel of truth He gives us as believers is meant to be shared. We are in right standing with God. His righteousness covers our hearts. His truth holds us together, and we can walk out our lives filled with His peace. And tomorrow we will cover our heads and add another layer of the defensive armor of Christ.

     Is the battle too much right now? Read the first two words of the Scripture verses we looked at today. “Stand firm.” Jesus will fight the battle. He’s got this.

Dear Father,

You give us so much protection. Clothe us with Jesus. Protect us in our battles. We stand firm today with the shoes of peace, the breastplate of righteousness and the belt of truth buckled tightly around us.

In Jesus name

Amen