Put your clothes on!

Okay, I've decided to share with you my greatest secret to success in my Christian walk.

About 4 years ago I started struggling with anger or lets just say it was fully exposed and it wasn't going away without God doing His complete work in me. Maybe someday I will share with you my full story in that regards (Uprooting a Besetting Sin). However, the biggest key to my success in this area and in my day to day Christian walk is putting on my armor.

Ephesians 6 says "Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities and powers of this dark world." I take this verse to heart and is probably one of the banners over my life. I think one of the main reasons Christians get so land blasted all the time is they are not aware of the battle we are in on a daily basis. The awesome thing, however, is that God provided us clothes to wear in this battle.

So, as I've named this particular blog I think it is essential to "put your clothes on everyday." Really think about it, how many of you would go for a walk outside without your clothes on? However, so many Christians walk around daily, weekly and yearly without ever putting their clothes on.

So for the last 1 1/2 years, I have made it a point to intentionally put my spiritual clothes on everyday. And let me tell you, I definitely can tell the difference between when I did and when I didn't take the time to get dressed.

I find it easiest to start at the top of my head and work down (which is not the order it is in the Bible ~ but I think that is okay). God has given me revelation around the different pieces and I like to think about them as I do it. My favorite place to do it is when I am laying in bed thinking about getting out to start the day. So here is how I put my clothes on:

The helmet of salvation: We are saved by grace and this is a gift from God lest any man should boast. This reminds me that my Christian walk is based upon who God is, not who I am.

The Breastplate of righteousness: God sees me through the cross as the redeemed. I also ask it to guard my heart because my heart is the wellspring of life.

The Shield of Faith: That it would put out the fiery darts of the enemy. In the Lord's prayer Jesus also asked us to pray daily to be delivered from the evil one. So we can be spared from many of the attacks of the enemy just by simply asking!

The sword of the Spirit which is the word of God: The word of God is living and active sharper than any double edged sword. This is the only weapon in our armor so it is important to use it. So whatever you are struggling with make sure you find Scripture with the truth to help you battle it.

The belt of truth: Everything I am saying and praying is based upon who God is and his truth. I will not be shaken by trusting in it.

Feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace: This took me awhile to figure out what exactly this meant but here are the thoughts I have. One is that Joshua talks about taking every place you put your feet. The Bible also talks about trampling the enemy. So my outlook is that in the process of my daily walk I can trample on the enemy and replace what he has done with PEACE. I like bringing peace into my home.

So there it is. It sounds so easy and actually it is but the difference it makes is incredible! So I encourage you if you don't put your clothes on everyday to try it! You will be pleasantly surprised how much better life is being dressed.