The ARMOR

When I flew a combat sortie (flight), my crewmembers and I prepared for battle by putting on a helmet, some body armor, and then we strapped on a big helicopter with armor plating and big guns. But when we were away from a perceived threat, we dressed down to a level associated with the threat level at whatever location we might land.

Paul tells the Ephesians about the importance of putting on the full armor of God:

Eph 6:11-17

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm
against the schemes of the devil.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,

15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

I don’t believe the threat level ever decreases when I am up against the “spiritual forces of wickedness of the heavenly places.” I may have periods where I am “feeling” pretty good and safe, but it is those times that I need the full armor of God. The “perceived” threat of the spiritual enemy may be low, but make no mistake, the threat is always there, and we should always be wearing God’s Armor!