Put on the full armor of God, so that you are able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  Ephesians 6:11, TLV

Are We Naked in Battle?       Well, that’s a dumb question, right? Except, sometimes, my friends, we rush into battle so quickly we forget to wear the complete armor set by the spiritual front door. Perhaps we grab the sword or shield, but we’ll still be ill-equipped for the battle no matter how large or small. We are “out of uniform.”

Go, Navy!

My husband was in the Navy. When he went through bootcamp, he was taught basic life skills, but they also did a lot of marching and practicing certain battle techniques. Bob would tell you it was brutal and repetitive. Many times, he questioned the logic. But once he finished bootcamp and schooling, he discovered that his response to difficulties were easier because he had been trained. They became second nature. Every part of his uniform had function, and even while crawling around dangerous machinery he wore that uniform.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.   (vs. 10, TLV)

Perhaps we need a “spiritual” bootcamp to be battle-ready. Like Bob, even if he was headed to the ship’s mess hall for a meal, he wore the full uniform. And because of his training, he was always ready for battle — to perform his role in that attack.

Spiritual Bootcamp

Our “spiritual” bootcamp is done each day.

Here are a few military procedures we can apply to spiritual warfare.

• Acknowledging our commander and pledging our allegiance — even when the battle is tough, knowing who our Commander is and that His orders—His will must be done.
• For over 100 years, the sailor’s “bible” was The Blue Jackets Manuel (BJM), and it was never far from them. They regularly studied and referred to it because it gave them information on every part of their naval service from commander to the lowest ranking sailor. Bob followed the policy and procedures to keep accountable, in order, and himself and others safe. They studied and memorized that BJM.
• Every part of the uniform served a purpose. Even if one part was missing, a sailor or soldier would be considered “out of uniform” — as though he were naked — and could be written up by his superior officer.
• He was accountable to keep his uniform clean and pressed — which was difficult with the type of work Bob did. But it made him purposeful in how he dressed for each day.

Each piece of GOD’s armor serves a purpose. Like the sailor or soldier, one piece missing means they are out of uniform, and in battle that part of their uniform could save their life.

Our battles can be spiritual and physical. Illness, wars, abuse. Whether spiritual or physical, we must be in uniform. And be sure to study and read our “BJM.”

By the way, thank you to all our military and first-responders. We are grateful for your service.

Think More About It

How does your “uniform” function in your faith journey?

May we be in uniform for each day.

Praying for Israel—Prayer Prompts

Lift up your heads, O gates,
and be lifted up, you everlasting doors:
that the King of glory may come in.
“Who is this King of glory?”
ADONAI [the LORD] strong and mighty,
ADONAI mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates,
and lift them up, you everlasting doors:
that the King of glory may come in. Psalm 24:7-9, TLV

I love this praise and worship passage. Right now I hear the song from Handel’s Messiah, Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates. During many of Israel’s battles, it was the Levites—the priests—who led the troops. They led in worship. Let’s pray—or sing—this passage. Stand in the gap for the physical and spiritual battles before them. Amen? God bless you.