Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:13-17

Did you know that God made you to be a warrior? He gives you the tools, the strength, and the stamina to fight great battles every single day. But He never intends for you to do battle alone. There is a war waging for your soul; a war against evil, against the enemy who rules this world. And without Jesus, you don’t stand a chance! 

Like any soldier, before heading into the heat of battle, you must suit up. The armor is your defense. God gives you His Word, and the more you know, the less vulnerable you’ll be when the lies of this world surround you. No matter how much things seem to “make sense”, only His Word is ultimate, infinite Truth! He gives you the peace to stay calm and focused on that truth, rather than on your insecurities and fears. He gives you His righteousness and the confidence of salvation—the guarantee that you are His, no matter what. Whatever the enemy tries to throw at you can’t penetrate the Armor of God. The sword of the Spirit is your offense. His very Spirit, that is within you, fights the battles for you. He’s fighting for you at this very moment, and He will never stop. 

Without any one piece of your battle gear, you are vulnerable. You must deliberately “put it on” by spending time in the Word! Wear it proudly, as a soldier wears his uniform proudly. Wear it with confidence and poise, because God’s armor even looks amazing with your nicest clothes and your fanciest pair of shoes. You are loved! 

are. We can shine His light in classrooms, in offices and waiting rooms, in checkout lines and at gas stations, at sporting events, and behind the wheels of our cars. He gives us everything we need to live like He lived His earthly life: compassionately, selflessly, and sacrificially.

Your job is to navigate your way through life with that “map” in your hands and your eyes on Jesus. Don’t