The Armor of God is used for one thing and one thing only, to fight spiritual warfare! The fight is real, and you will need every piece of it to stand against all the wickedness that comes your way. Ephesians is clear, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11 [ESV])." You see, the armor of God is what protects you when doubts, fears, and guilt pummels your reality. It's what gives you the ability to fight the "Good Fight" when accusations, lies, and offensive words are thrown at you, and it's what gives you confidence in the deepest and darkest battles of life.
Spiritual warfare is focused on accomplishing God's purpose and not centered on the world's problems. In other words, effective spiritual warfare is God-centered, not World-centered. A wrong focus on war as you attempt to use the armor can lead to distractions, powerlessness, and confusion. If the conflict is misunderstood, people will crumble and die. The proper focus for the true Christian is seen in Ephesians chapter 5. Read it if you expect for a second to use God's armor and fight the war rightly. The Apostel Paul's words in the sections before the armor of God must be honored if the war is to be appropriately won where Lady Wisdom is gained and put in her rightful place.
Spiritual warfare is not asking God to take away our problems or sin in life; wrong focus; Jesus did that on the cross. It's applying the Word of God, the Spirit of Knowlege, that Jesus displayed and lived out. Receiving and using this type of knowledge gives us the power to stand firm and face all struggles that come into our reality. When we do so, the confidence of Christ transforms our lives and gives us the ability to fight as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane, rather than as Peter did in the circumstance.
Spiritual warfare is not a secret method of prayer that changes a person or circumstance. It is standing on the Principles of God the Father, practicing the Habits of Jesus, and Performing in a way that allows all to get closer to God, each other, and the potential God designed each to live out. In other words, it's about maturity in understanding how belief, prayer, and action work together to carry out God's purpose. It's a calling every Christian is required to fight and live out in their faith and life.
Spiritual warfare is real, and ignoring it is living in denial and being a deserter of the faith. Today, will you join the war, Jesus's Way, dispute the methods many Christians use to fight, and decide to "Put on the whole armor of God" to stand against the schemes of evil to understand what it means to be mature and sound in God's Army. Next time, The Belt of Truth.
With a spirit of victory,