We're preparing for a battle!

I was watching Chopped on the food channel last night as I was winding down for bed. There was a man on there who had been a soldier and had also battled cancer. He said, "If you want peace, prepare for a battle." It got me thinking. Being closer to God brings peace, so if I'm going to be seeking for the virtuous woman side of me, I'm going to have a battle ahead! Who am I going to battle against? The devil is one we're fighting the war against. I Peter 5:8 says "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" People can be another battle "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." I will also battle myself. "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." is stated in Matthew 26:41.

So, we are fighting with the devil, worldly people, and our flesh. Wow, that sounds like a hard battle to fight, right? It's a good thing God is on our side! What are we going to need for this battle? ARMOR! No, please don't go out and buy a suit of metal from the medieval store. You have all you need with you according to Ephesians 6:10-18. It says, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For we wrestle 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. ¹³Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; ¹⁵And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: ¹⁸Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"  I encourage you to research more into the specific pieces on your own, as I also will in my devotion time, but let's briefly take a look at the pieces of the armor. I found these descriptions on a sunday school lesson site for children when I was researching the individual pieces. I thought they were brief and to the point and easy to understand. I inserted bible verses I think go along well.

The site they are from is: http://www.kidssundayschool.com/Gradeschool/Lessons/9armor01.php
"The Belt of Truth: The belt worn by a roman soldier was important because it firmly secured the soldier's weapons needed to fight. If we are to stand up to evil, we must be firmly secured by the truth that is found only in Jesus. [John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."]

The Breastplate of Righteousness: The typical Roman soldier wore a protective covering to cover the vital organs, like the heart, the lungs, liver, etc. If any of these were injured, the life of the soldier would be in serious jeopardy. If we try to do battle over Satan's enemies with only our own righteousness, we will never win. We need a righteousness that comes from our Savior. [Deut. 6:25 "And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us."]

Feet with the Gospel of Peace: To do battle, a soldier must be prepared to go, and good strong sandals were absolutely necessary. Likewise, before we can do battle, we must be prepared, but our preparation comes from the Gospel. The Gospel is the good news about Jesus, and through it we can tell others how they can have peace with God. [Mark 8:35-36 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?]

 The Shield of Faith: The shield protected the Roman soldier from arrows and sword blows. Our spiritual enemies are constantly throwing arrows and thrusting swords towards us. The best way to deflect these blows is with the shield of faith. When we hold on to our shield, when we hold firm to our faith in Jesus, we can go forth boldly. [Matthew 17:20b "...If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."]

The Helmet of Salvation: An essential item for a soldier's survival. The helmet protects the head of the soldier, where there is the mind and spirit. Our salvation comes from Jesus, and it is a lasting protection until the day we are with Him in heaven. [John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."]

The Sword of Truth: The Roman sword was short and lightweight so they could use it easily. At close range, it was a deadly weapon. The sword of truth represent[s] the Word of God. The Word of God is truth. It is a powerful weapon when use under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. [Heb. 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."]"

Dont forget the prayer too, and remember Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."