Are you dressed?

Ephesians 6:13-18 (NKJV)
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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

The armor of God is meant to be put on at all times and nothing is to be left out. When you get up and get dressed in the morning you do not leave your house half dressed or without any shoes. Most public places will not allow you entrance without a shirt or a pair of shoes. In the same way, we should look at our spiritual armor as an important part of our getting dressed in the morning.

Our spiritual armor consists of:

Belt of truth around our waist
Breastplate of righteousness in place
Our fit fitted with readiness that from the gospel of peace
Shield of faith
Helmet of salvation
Sword or the spirit which also means the word of God.

It is impossible to have one without the other and say you are ready for battle. A soldier does not go to the battlefield to fight the enemy without their sword and expect to win the battle. If they go without their shield or helmet then they put themselves in danger and risk getting hurt or death.

The belt around our waist is supposed to hold everything in place. This is not just a belt but it is the belt of truth. When you leave the house, TRUTH should be in your actions and words.
Truth should be with us at all times because of what it represents. Truth also symbolizes everything God expects from us.
** Snce the author of lies is the devil it is crucial for us to wear the belt of truth.**

The Breastplate of righteousness has to be worn properly. Improper use of the breastplate could result to injuries.

Our head needs to be protected with the helmet of salvation. In the real world, the enemy does not physically attack our heads but he does it spiritually. The enemy attacks our minds with impure thoughts, fear, and triggers our ability to understand and retain the word of God. His plan is simple, attack the body part that controls the center of thought and you have a person that does not believe, have faith, or lacks understanding. Our helmet of salvation protects our mind -- Romans 12:2 -- And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We need to carry our shield of faith everywhere we go. Faith is necessary when it comes to our relationship with God and our spiritual walk. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Hebrews 11:2 -- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

John 1:1 -- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The word has been with us from the beginning and it’s important to understand that everything that has happened started with a word. It’s important that we are reading our word, speaking the word, and putting the word into practice. The word is food for our spirits and it’s needed for growth.

Luke 4:4 -- And Jesus answered him, saying, it is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God

As we get dressed this morning, lets make sure we put on the FULL armor of God and leave nothing out