USE IT

I've come across many Christians who suffer from needless wounds because they do not do battle.  In Ephesians 6 we are instructed to put on the full armor of God.  This order is intended for us to stand our ground against the enemy.  We as Christians WILL engage in spiritual combat.  Warfare is unavoidable.  Warfare is part of our daily life.  We cannot have a pacifist mindset or we will suffer wounds.  Defeat can come to us if we do not prepare ourselves for battle.

If we are to put on the full armor of God, we must not only put it on, we must know how to USE IT! Wearing it just isn't enough.  We must learn to walk in it, live in it, and do battle in it. We will be of little service if we merely walk around with a sword and not learn to wield it.  If we carry a weapon without knowing it, it's just for show.

Faith is our defense and faith can help us move through the battle without sustaining injury.  We can use our shield for personal protection.  We can use our shields collectively.  The shield of faith is not to just hang on a wall to show to our friends.  Our faith is our survival.  Our faith sustains us from enemy attacks as we each move through life.  We must each learn to walk with shield in front of us to absorb the blows.

If we do not put on the FULL armor of God, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and our feet are not ready - we are leaving soft spots open, unguarded, unshielded opportunities for the enemy.

"Firstly, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth bucked around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the word of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."
-Ephesians 6:10-18

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
-2 Timothy 2:15

And that from a child you have know the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works.
-2 Timothy 3:15-17

Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine powers to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to Christ.
-2 Corinthians 10:3-5

So prepare your shields, both large and small, and march out for battle! Harness the horses, mount the steeds! Take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears, put on your armor!