Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
I remember once in primary, bringing home a coloring page of a kid in full armor. This was also one of the first lessons I remember teaching my children in Family Home Evening; we made armor out of tin foil, and the kids split into two sides–righteous saints and the adversary. They valiantly fought each other until one of them became hot and uncomfortable. He decided to rest and take off his armor to be more free. He actually believed he could fight better without all the armor. Instantly, the opposing team attacked. From that point on, it was an easy battle. The adversary (opposing team) stabbed and wounded the weak spots, places that did not have armor. It didn’t take long before the soldier was “injured” and unable to defend himself. I couldn’t believe what a fitting demonstration had just taken place! It was exactly what I was trying to teach my children. As I lay in bed that night, and many times since, the visual of my son taking off his armor after fighting with all his might and not being wounded, then the adversary attacking immediately and ruthlessly, destroying him before he even knew what had happened played over and over in my mind. As I watch my children and all they are faced with each day, I’m reminded to do my best and never forget those things that I can do to help their armor stay on firmly. Prayers and scriptures to me trump everything else, they are non-negotiable daily ways of putting on our spiritual armor.
“No doubt most of our youth have their evening prayers, but perhaps many of them struggle with the habit of personal morning prayer. As parents, as their prime gospel teachers, we can correct this. Which parent in Book of Mormon times would have let their sons march out to the front of battle without a breastplate and shield and sword to protect them against the potentially mortal blows of the enemy? But how many of us let our children march out the front door each morning to the most dangerous of all battlefields, to face Satan and his myriad of temptations, without their spiritual breastplate and shield and sword that come from the protective power of prayer? The Lord said, “Pray always, … that you may conquer Satan” (D&C 10:5). As parents, we can help instill within our children the habit and power of morning prayer.” – Tad R. Callister (October 2014)
This isn’t just for our children, Satan is also attacking adults just as ruthlessly. Let us not be fooled into believing that we are old enough and strong enough to put down our armor. It’s simply not true. Just as much as the laws/love of God extends a protection for children, it will also protect us from so many things including distractions, unbelief, and sin. Let’s go back to physical war! Would you go on the battlefield without your armor?
Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
How do we “have our loins girt about with truth?” We must be prepared at all times, to stand as a witness of the love that Christ gives us, as well as prepared and aware of the adversary and what his next move or trick may be. We can’t be too prepared when it comes to the spiritual war we face. Satan has been at this a long time, and he is lurking and ready to attack at the simplest moment of weakness. As we gird up our loins with truth, and as we stand firm in our testimony of Jesus Christ and his love for us, we are steadfast in the gospel and understanding the role that we can plan. If we are not at the point of firm and steadfast, we can be prepared by the desire to be. The Lord promises to work with a particle of faith, or just a desire to believe. With the Lord on our side, we are unbeatable, especially as we finish putting on our armor.
Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
“Breastplate of righteousness?” To be righteous is to be moving forward toward Christ. It is not in looking around at others and allowing ourselves to feel inadequate. Each and everyone one of us is equally loved and important to the Lord, and as we move towards Christ at our pace, from the location we are at, he will fill our hearts and minds with understanding and excitement to follow him. He begs us to love Him, and to follow Him, and then to love all others, and to bring as many towards Him as will come with us. This movement will fill us with the breastplate of righteousness.
Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
“Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” We MUST have our feet firmly planted in Christ if we want to survive spiritually. At the heart, root, and face of the gospel is Christ. If he is not the purpose and focus of all things then we will become a captive prisoner of the adversary. Christ stood as the perfect example, he has undergone all misery so that he can perfectly succor us. He laid down his life on the cross and rose again, so that you and I could have salvation and exaltation. He is the only source in whom we can entirely trust. Through his gospel and love we will be able to endure with a heart and mind full of peace and comfort.
Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
“Shield of faith” Is there anything that gives more protection than a shield? Our faith is what is going to sustain us through the wild, vicious storms of life. the greatest part of faith is that it unlocks the power of God in our life, and allows us to turn our will over to him. Alma 32 tells us that the Lord can work with just a particle of faith. We don’t have to have perfect faith, because there is no such thing! We are all growing and learning, but as long as we have the faith that the Lord is on our side, and put a little trust in Him, those arrows that Satan and his minions shoot us with, will miss us. We may feel the arrows whizzing by us until we can nourish that particle, and build a strong, firm foundation in Christ. As we do this we will get to a point where the arrows are no longer noticeable. We will be able to keep our shields held high and our eyes on Christ.
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
“Helmet of Salvation?” The Lord is way ahead of the world in giving us the advice to keep our helmets on. Nowadays, it’s all you hear about, helmets and seat belts. Why take the risk, when you can keep yourself and those you love safe? This is the same with our spiritual war. Why head out to war without a helmet? We need our minds and brains to keep us looking heavenward. As we understand that Salvation and Exaltation are the most important goals, that they are our purpose here on earth, we are able to discern for ourselves what is important and what is not. The plan of Salvation is a plan of happiness, not only for the life to come, but for this life as well. With that peace comes a firm foundation and trust in the Lord that is protected by our shield of faith. Then, we are able to experience joy as we keep our head protected and remember who we are and why we are here.
Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
“Sword of the Spirit?” We are sitting ducks if all we do is arm ourselves for self defense. We can run for a long time, but eventually we will get tired, and the adversary will be able to attack. He will take us captive, unless we have our sword to defend us. The sword of the spirit is the Word of God, the scriptures. I stand in awe at the grand effort put forth by the Lord and those that would follow him to preserve the scriptures for His purpose. That purpose is US. We were worth all that effort. The Lord knew that Satan would rally his forces like never before as we neared the Second Coming of Christ. At that time, he knew that we would need the power of the scriptures to help us build our testimonies so that they would be strong enough to battle Satan. Our testimonies conquered Satan in our pre-mortal life, and they will conquer him again here on earth. He is well aware of this, and will use every resource available to distract us to put down our sword. If we put down the sword–if we don’t read the scriptures–we will be defeated in one generation. The efforts of those who fought previous to us will be for naught if we don’t pick up our scriptures and allow the power of God to sanctify us, so that we are resistant to all the adversary’s tactics.
Ephesians 6:10 be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
-Sherri Jorgensen
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