Put on the whole armor of God by means of contunual, unremitted persistance in prayer. Prayer is talking to God.... in a DIALOGUE, not just a monologue. It says in 1 Thes 5:17 to pray without ceasing, and in Colossians 4:2 to be devoted and persevere in prayer. In 2 Cor 13:14 Paul prays that the "intimate fellowship and communion of the Holy spirit be with you all".... and fellowship implies two way talking. In 1 John 1:7 it says that if we "walk and conduct our lives in the light as he (God) is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,..." yet another indication that we can have a perpetual dialogue with our God.

We can talk to the Lord and listen for his response in our quiet time (our closet, that secret place where we shut out the world) as well as at work, vacation, church, anywhere, because he is always there, he never leaves us or forsakes us. Paul told the Galatians that if we walk (conduct our lives) in spirit (put on the new man) then we will in no wise fulfill the lower craving of the flesh. The spiritual armor of God will protect us from falling into temptations, if we are faithful to wear it. But I believe it is for offensive warfare, and not just for our personal battles, but to battle "in spirit" on behalf of the whole kingdom of God, and to put the

enemy of our souls under the footstool of our Jesus (1Cor15).

It is a command, written in the imperative mode all through the text, to "put on the whole armor of God". So we "miss the mark" and fall short of the glory of God if we "neglect so great a salvation, healing, and deliverance". This study is not at all comprehensive, and can easily be expanded a hundredfold, I suspect. There are so many verses and concepts to cross-reference. But I hope this has in some way challenged you to ready yourself to fight

in the battle today, while it is still called "today". May the Lord bless and endue you with "THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD".

Marv Loveness mrvls@juno.com

© Copyright February 8, 1998 M. C. Loveness