1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (KJV)

Do you have your armor on?

Paul continually stressed the need for armor because it is vital to your victory as you walk through life. The armor is available because of the love of God and His grace. There is nothing you can do, no work you can fulfill that earns it. God’s grace through faith in Jesus gives you authority over any situation.

Luke 10:19 Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you. (AMPC)

Put on all the armor the Lord has given you.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. (AMP)

• You put on the belt of truth, the word of God, to protect you from the lies the devil tells you about you and about others.

Ephesians 6:14a So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage). (AMP)

• You put on the breastplate to guard your heart and to repel the fiery darts thrown by the devil.

Ephesians 6:14b Around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart). (AMP)

• You put on your gospel shoes, evangelizing as you go. Your life is a testimony of the saving power of God.

Ephesians 6:15 and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. (AMP)

• You put on the shield of faith; it is the only way you can please God. The devil wants to cause you to waiver in your faith and doubt the abundance of love found in The Father.

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (AMP)

• You put on the helmet to shield your mind from any thought the devil would try to place there.

Ephesians 6:17a And take the helmet of salvation. (AMP)

• You put on the word of God because it is the most powerful weapon. It is both an offensive and defensive weapon. You use it to attack the enemy, and also to defend yourself as he tries to attack you.

Ephesians 6:17b And the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. (AMP)

Once you put these pieces of armor on, they are on and should stay on. You cannot afford to “put your religion to the side” to take care of someone or something on your own. Also, you wouldn’t want to take off your armor to enjoy some fleshly intrigue; it’s an enormous risk and you will most probably get wounded. How do you put it on and keep in on?

Ephesians 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people. (AMP)

Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:

Father, I can remember as a child hearing the women in the church say they had to put their religion to the side. They laughed. I repent because I grew up saying the same thing as a justification for my behavior. I realize now; the joke was really on me. It was the devil who was actually laughing. I had fallen into his trap. Thank You for forgiving me and enlightening me. I will walk in Your full armor, speaking of the truth of Your word at all times. I know You have made me righteous, and I stand covered under the blood of Jesus. I know You order my steps, and I will speak the good news of Jesus everywhere I am led. My faith is in You; I stand because of You; You are my shield and You sustain me in battle. I have on the helmet of Your salvation. I know I am saved or I am not; it is not something that comes and goes. I declare I am saved and my salvation is eternal. I will not go into battle without my equipment; I can’t afford to. Without my armor, my heart would be open to all types of damage. In the past, there were things I didn’t understand; they are becoming clearer now. Thank You for my weapons, for giving me the understanding that I must wear them at all times, and for giving me the clarity to use them…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here: