Spiritual Weaponry

​Military boot camp. Uh Rah!
I believe I just heard some guttural groans from some of my military veteran readers who had the wonderful experience (I might be being facetious!) of an all-expense paid excursion, courtesy of Uncle Sam, to military training.  
When the drab green bus carrying me and a load of fresh meat, I mean new recruits,  arrived at the United States Naval Training Center in San Diego, California  in the twilight of evening,  the first thing the Dark Side Of The Force  drill sergeants did was to yell at us, calling  us come names I will not repeat here.
Second, they cynically shaved off our 1970s’ hippy-style hair, beards, and mustaches. Third, they issued us our new wardrobe: Kaki, pea green, and camo colored dungarees and shirts. The powers in charge dumbed us down to all look like a ragtag band of baldheaded, green clothed aliens.
 Fourth, we were issued our equipment. Utility belt, canteen, ammo magazines, battle helmets, thick, heavy black boots, which were always to be spit shined, and a firearm. Off we went to torture, I mean training, then maybe a war zone. Of course, our superiors screamed and cussed at us non-stop, reminding us that they had become our new mommas!
A soldier without weapons and training is doomed to defeat.  
Imagine a soldier, under sudden attack by the enemy, running out of his barracks in his skivvies (underwear for you civilians) to repel those sent to kill him. Preposterous you say. Of course.
But how often do professing Christians, good soldiers of Jesus Christ, attempt to battle Satan and his demonic forces without their spiritual weapons. No wonder the faith of many fails in the heat of battle.
Good news! You and I need not be weaponless. In Ephesians 6:10-20 (I encourage you to read it) Paul describes in detail the “whole armor God”, the weaponry God issues/equips us with for victory over the enemy of our souls.  
Your and my responsibility is to wear the armor. Paul exhorts us to “put on the whole armor of God.” Note: “put on” is my responsibility. I am to put on all the armor, not some of it. 
Observations About Spiritual Armor

• Spiritual weapons are God Issued, not government issued.
• Weapons must be maintained, cared for, kept in operating order to be effective in battle.
• Weapons are most effective when soldiers practice with them. Training matters.
• Partial armor is not whole armor. Partial armor can get a soldier killed.
• Armor is not shared. Each soldier has his own weaponry.

Paul was thinking about the Roman soldier and his weapons when he wrote about spiritual armor. Here are the pieces of our spiritual armor Christians are to put on, to take up, when battling  
Loins girded with truth. The belt the Roman warrior wore around his waist connected the other pieces of armor. He also carried essential battle items in it. For Christians, truth from the Word of God is the belt that holds our faith life together. Truth protects us from lies, falsehood and deception.  
Breastplate of righteousness. The Roman soldier’s chest was protected by an armor-plated vest that covered his vital organs front and back.  A hit to the heart meant curtains for a Roman soldier. God’s righteousness is a Christian’s fiery dart proof spiritual vest that protects our heart which belongs to the Lord. God “looks on the heart” so it must always be protected.
Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. A Roman soldier could not fight effectively barefoot. His sandals fortified his feet in battle, assisting him to advance against the enemy. Our boots as Christians are the Gospel of peace that we share with the lost. Remember, spiritual warfare is a battle for souls.  We advance with peace because of the Prince of peace.
Helmet of salvation. A Roman soldier’s helmet protected his head from a mortal wound.  A head blow could result in death. A Christian’s “helmet of salvation” guards his mind. His thinking, his attitude and actions are based on his/her faith relationship with Christ who they confess as their personal Savior and Lord. Salvation through Christ saves us from Satan’s onslaught. 
Sword of the Spirit. The Roman soldier’s sword was a wicked weapon. Razor sharp and double-edged, it could easily slice through an enemy combatant. Paul identifies our spiritual sword as the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says our sword is two-edged and sharp. The Word of God is one of the most effective offensive weapons in our spiritual arsenal. Your Bible is your sword! If you do not know the Word, you are a sitting duck for the enemy. Satan fled from Jesus in Mathew 4:1-11 because Jesus said three times ‘It is written”.    
Pray at all times in the Spirit. The Roman warrior probably prayed to someone or something in the heart of a firefight. Paul exhorts Christ’s followers to be prayer warriors. To pray to the One, True, Living God in the name of Jesus, through the power of Holy Spirit.  I believe with all my heart that Satan and hell trembles when Christians pray. 
There you have it. Spiritual warfare fought by spiritual soldiers equipped with spiritual weapons.
My friend, in a war zone, soldiers are on twenty-four-hour alert. The enemy does not care if a soldier would like to take a nap, play cards, or send a text to his sweetheart. On alert means be ready to rock and roll with full armor when the enemy attacks.
How is your spiritual armor? Is it on twenty-four seven, three sixty-five?
“Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”  Ephesians 6:10
A Word For Your Week: Put your spiritual armor on every single day.