This is the 21st century! What do you mean “Armor On”?

In the Dad’s Armor study, men are reminded that we are in a spiritual battle for family and we need to put the full armor of God on! (Ephesians 6:11-17)

“Put on the full Armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” The devil knows your buttons, your playbook. Find a battle buddy with whom you can be vulnerable and will hold you accountable, and take your stand.
“…Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.” Truth is an absolute, the word of God. It often shows up as a ‘gut feel’, not to be swayed by the relative truth in the world.
“With the breastplate of righteousness in place,” Righteousness is a heart-level connection with Jesus the Christ in relationship with the Father.
“and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes with the gospel of peace.” Just as Jesus rebuked the devil with scripture, dads are instructed to rebuke worldly news with the good news that is the gospel of our Lord.
“Take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” Believe that what you believe is real and, in the power of the resurrected Christ and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, your faith will keep the devil’s attacks in check.
“Take the helmet of salvation” This is the knowledge of Jesus the Christ, that He died for our sins and rose from the dead. Confess and repent.
“and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Jesus came to testify to the truth, the word of God. Dads are to do the same. Absolute truth cuts through the relative truth prevalent in the world.

As you contemplate this armor, reflect back on your high school football days. Specifically, think about a night when it was raining and the field was muddy. I remember that when I ran by the cheerleaders at halftime, I did not want to have a clean jersey. It was important to me to make sure everyone knew I had been in the game.

I do not think the Lord wants a man to show up on judgment day with shiny armor. He wants to see evidence that a dad stepped onto that battlefield for the sake of his family with the armor tarnished and dented from the battles he has faced. Maybe even some blood and dings where he took some body blows but got back up. So, keep the belt buckled, the breastplate in place with feet readied and shield lifted high, with your helmet on, be confident of your salvation and wield the sword wisely in this confused world. And step onto the battlefield for the sake of the next generation.

Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for Your Armor. I confess that the devil’s schemes in this world have been effective. In my strength, I have stepped aside more than I have stepped up in battle. Forgive me. Grant me strength in the power of the resurrected Christ and indwelling of the Holy Spirit to put the full armor of God on daily, to recognize the spiritual battles before me and stand firm against the devil’s schemes. Surround me with Christian men, a group of dads willing to step onto the battlefield with me for the sake of the next generation. Amen.

A faithful father stands firm in this world with the full armor of God on.