The battle is fierce. Everywhere I turn, the sound of swords clashing and armor crashing fills my ears. Something catches my eye amid the clamor. There, lying in the middle of the foray, is one who is naked and curled up in the fetal position with his hands over his face.
All I can think is, He's going to die!
In another scene, a snowball fight is going on. It is so cold! Everywhere I look, all are dressed warmly from head to toe. Except one. Completely naked and huddled by a large snow bank, this child's feet are buried in snow above his ankles. His nose is running and his lips are blue. Suddenly, he falls face down in the snow, shaking uncontrollably.
He's gonna freeze to death! I say to myself.
As I think of both scenarios, they sound silly. Obviously, someone doesn't enter an armored battle while naked. And whose mom would allow her child to go streaking in the snow?
Yet, many times I have been in the midst of a battle that is raging in my mind or my family, and I complain about my battle wounds and frostbite while I've been running around "naked!" (Have you ever been there?)
"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil," (Ephesians 6:11 NASB).
In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul describes the armor of God. In this passage of scriptures, the word full is repeated twice to make sure we are listening!
The word "full" means complete. If I go outside without my pants or shirt on, I will get a lot of attention! The same thing goes for my spiritual "clothes." If I am not wearing my complete set of armor, some part of me is spiritually exposed -- and the enemy of my soul will definitely notice.
Thank You, Lord, for giving us all we need to protect ourselves in the fight with our enemy. As I prayerfully don my spiritual armor, make me ready for the battle that every day holds.
good post and good visual. was reading nehemiah to the kids last night and talked to them about how nehemiah and his crew were always ready to fight the battle even while working. with tools in one hand and weapons in the other. made me think..wow..we just don't do that on a daily basis. so much of it i think is that we don't really acknowledge our enemy and realize he's prowling around..constantly. thanks for using your gift of writing to enlighten others!
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