Don't Go Out Half Dressed

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11, NKJV)

I grew up in Buffalo, New York, or, a place I like to call, “THE BIRTH PLACE OF THE BLIZZARD.” Buffalo is known for many things, not the least it’s cold weather and snow. When I was young I can remember my mother giving me warning about how to dress for the weather by saying, “Don’t go out half dressed.” Mom was telling me to make sure I had everything on I needed to face and fight the elements.

My mother’s words to me then, are Paul’s words to every child of God now. We know we are in a spiritual fight. We are in a battle against the spiritual forces of Satan. The battle is, as Paul tells us, not “against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places,” (Ephesians 6:12). Therefore, we must make sure we go to battle with the “whole armor of God.” We cannot afford to leave any area of our lives uncovered. Our head (mind), chest (heart), feet (our walk or lifestyle), waist (character) all must be fully covered. We also must make sure we have our shields up (faith). In addition, we need to be armed with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

This is a battle for your present and eternal life. You must make sure you have all your armor on. Many Christian soldiers have fallen because they only protected certain areas of their lives, leaving other areas open to the enemy’s attack. Make sure you have every area of your life covered. Or as my mother would caution, DON’T GO OUT HALF DRESSED.