Ephesians 6:10-20

    Our battle in this world is not with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places.  Our battle is with sin and sickness and the flesh and the world and especially the devil.  If we are to be successful as Christians we must learn the proper way to deal with the consequences of the fall and having done all to be able to stand.

    We learn from Genesis that sin entered the world and death through sin through the disobedience of our first parents and as a result the devil has a foothold in our lives because of sin.  Most sickness and disease, most poverty and lack is the result of sin.  When we sin we give the devil a place to attack us and bring about disharmony in our lives.  It is through sin that most of our problems arise.

     When St. Paul was in prison he must have been keenly aware of the soldiers that were guarding him.  He noticed their armor and the Holy Spirit inspired him to compare the Christian life with the armor that the soldiers wore to protect themselves.  What he saw was their loins girded, a breastplate on their chest, the feet shod, a shield in one hand and a sword in the other, and a helmet on their head.  He likened Christian virtues as a defense against the attacks of the enemy like the armor that soldiers wear.  Our defense against principalities and powers is not carrying a shield but living a life by faith.  Our defense against the enemy is not wearing a breastplate but by being righteous.  Our defense is living in peace and sharing the peace of the gospel.  If sin is the door by which the enemy attacks, then virtue is the armor that prevents the devil from doing us harm.  Holiness is power.  Purity is vision.  Godliness is great gain.