Dress For Success

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication ...  

Ephesians 6:13-20

This world and its opinions, perspectives, and obtuse logic is relentless in its pursuit to alter our world view.  If we take a step back from it, we can see clearly that none of it has any basis ... like standing in thin air while making an argument that you are standing on solid ground.  But without protecting yourself from this onslaught of ideas ... without checking back with the source of ACTUAL truth, it can be convincing.  Especially when it is hammered into your head over and over and over ... and over.  I believe that is called brainwashing and without the "reset button" that we have in the Bible, we can be easily lead astray.  And the devil grins his menacing, triumphant grin.  It gives me goose bumps thinking how long the enemy was manipulating my mind, looking on with his evil smirk.  "I've got that one fooled."

We must protect ourselves from this.  Whether it's TV shows, commercials manipulating us into believing we can be whole if we just buy this product, movies portraying some made up truth as though it is 100% true ... the flood of lies is torrential.  

We must put on the Whole Armor of God.  But what does it mean to put on this Armor?  I will tell you that I believe I know, through studies and hearing from those educated on the subject.  Although, feel free to correct me if I am off in my understanding:

1. We must first STAND FIRM.  To fight the current, you must stand firm and not be moved by every "what if".  I'm not saying that you should ignore arguments.  I am saying that you should peel back the layers of those arguments to determine how grounded they are in reality.  You will find, if they are not biblically based, they almost never have substantive, objective truth behind them.
2. The BELT OF TRUTH.  A belt "holds up".  The Truth comes from our Creator - the only one who can legitimately state the Truth.  He's the only credible source.  Fight to hold up the Truth.  It's all that matters.
3. The BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.  Protect your heart.  It says this throughout the Gospels.  This stands for the righteousness that is credited to us when we believe in Jesus Christ as the one who saved us from sin ... from ourselves.  We can't be righteous on our own, through our own good works.  By accepting Christ's righteousness, we can keep our hearts strong and pure for God.  
4. SHOES FOR YOUR FEET ... READINESS.  Are you ready to answer for the hope that you have?  Blind faith is no way to live.  Know, be ready, and speak with confidence.  We have the Truth to tell.  And it's the best news in history.  
5. The SHIELD OF FAITH.  The shield not only defends the body from evil darts, but also the Armor itself.  It protects the waist, the chest, the arms and legs, and the head, and we should have it "above all".  A soldier skilled in fighting off the enemy uses the shield to block the enemy's darts no matter what direction they come from.  But when the shield is down, everything is exposed.  We must keep our guard up.
6. The HELMET OF SALVATION.  Protect your mind, and the knowledge that you are saved.  The enemy wants to break down your confidence that you are.  Don't let that doubt and uncertainty in.  Re-read the gospel - often - and know that there is nothing you might have done, and nothing you can do to lose your salvation.  Be repentant, and constantly move toward Christlikeness, but never doubt for a moment that you are not saved.
7. The SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.  God's Word.  When asked about the weapon he found of most value, George Washington brought out his Bible.  While it is defensive in nature like the balance of the armor, it is the only offensive piece of armor.  We are to defend our faith as in battle.  And don't think for a moment that their is not a battle going on.
8. And finally ... ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.  The greatest weapon to fight off the enemy is prayer.  Prayer of supplication is a prayer to God asking for His help.  Ask for His help and you will receive it.  "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them."  Mark 11:23