Our church is having a vacation Bible school on Wednesday nights for most of the summer. We have a small group of kids that fit into that age category, but we have a great teacher who wants children to learn Bible basics. The leader has recruited help, including a sign language teacher, to help the young kids learn about the armor of God.
The leader was also looking for someone who might come and teach the lesson for the kids. The ham in me responded positively to her invitation, so I prepared to go and teach a couple of lessons for her. I had fun teasing and playing with the kids while I tried to get them to understand the importance of putting on our armor. I am not sure they learned any deep spiritual principles, but we tried to help them see that they are in a spiritual battle to live right, even at their tender age.
The kids have been busy making the armor and learning a great song about the armor of God. They sing the song and sign the words as they sing. If they can learn that song and the accompanying signs, that will stick with them for a long time. I admire and respect the hard work that Sunday school and vacation Bible school teachers put into their lessons. I believe the impact they are making will bear much fruit in the future.
The truth is we could all learn a little more about the armor of God and the importance it has to help us live a godly life. Whether we like to admit it or not we are in a spiritual battle every day to live what we believe. I’ve heard it said that if we aren’t opposing the enemy, then we are walking with him down a road we should not be traveling. If we put on the armor we can stand our ground and live as a light in a dark world.
The first piece of the armor we put on is truth. Jesus said he is the way, the truth, and the life. Truth is first because it holds all the other pieces in place and it helps guide us and protect us from the enemy’s lies and deceptions. Truth provides vital protection to our spiritual lives. Next, we need to put on the breastplate of righteousness. We need the righteousness that Jesus provides to be able to stand in the presence of God.
We need to put the gospel of peace on our feet. We carry in our hearts the good news of peace with God. The world is hungry for a relationship with God and we can take the message of God’s peace everywhere we step.
It would be wise for us to pick up the shield of faith, which allows us to overcome the attacks that we face in the world. People can say terrible things to us but their attacks are extinguished in our shield of faith.
To protect our heads we have the helmet of salvation. Our minds can be attacked by fear, doubt, and discouragement, to name a few, but with the helmet of salvation on our heads our thoughts can set free through hope and faith.
The only offensive weapon we get is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Bible. God’s plan is that we use His Word to attack and defeat the enemy of our soul. God’s word gives us the power to overcome and to live a victorious Christian life.
God’s given us the tools we need to be a light in a dark world. It’s not easy to be a witness for God, so we need the armor to stand our ground. It makes sense when you consider it, the world doubts God’s love and the enemy wants to prove He doesn’t exist. God deeply desires to demonstrate that He lives, that He loves us, and that His power is available for us to overcome the darkness. We need His armor to win the battle.
I want to encourage you to consider the importance of your spiritual armor. The enemy is going to attack you so God has given you the protection you need. He has also given you the tool you need to defeat the enemy, the most powerful weapon on earth, the word of God.
I hate to think about life being a battle every day, but in Christ I have the armor of God so I can live each day in the victory that God desires that I win.

Doug Creamer lives in Faith and teaches marketing at East Davidson High School. His website is located at www.dougcreamer.com Contact him at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041 or email doug@dougcreamer.com