1 Timothy 6: 12 - Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

We are all in a Spiritual War and self is the battleground. The moment we become a Christian, the devil declares an all-out war against our soul. We are fighting against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Each of us has to fight against the spiritual forces of evil that threaten the destiny of our soul. In the 6^th chapter of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul says that we are to put on the whole armour of God , that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

First of all, the Bible says that our loins are to be girt about with truth. The loin is the part of the body between the ribs and the hipbones. To be girt means to be ready for action. We are ready for any action that comes our way by having the truth of Gods Word hid in our hearts. The girt, or the belt, goes around the soldier; so the truth of Gods Word and His presence surrounds His children.

We are to have on the breastplate of righteousness in our fight against the devil. The breastplate covers the heart and other vital organs. Gods righteousness is His approval. The practical outgrowth of imputed righteousness gives protection against the subtle temptations of unrighteousness.

Our feet are to be shod with the Gospel of peace. They say that the Roman soldier wore scandals that had hobnails on the sole to assure a firm stand in any kind of weather or under any kind of condition, and they wouldnt slip in the battle. The good news of peace with God produces firm-footed stability when facing the enemy of our soul.

Above all, the Bible says that we are to take the shield of faith into battle with us so that we can quench all the fiery darts of the enemy of our soul. Of the two shields used in warfare, the reference here is to the larger, heavier shield, intended to protect the whole body from weapons of the enemy. This means that the fullest protection is needed, and is available. The fiery darts is a phrase expressive of the deadly harm that can come from the assaults of the devil.

The helmet of salvation covers our head in our battle against the devil. When the helmet is on the head of the soldier, he has protection for his eyes, ears, mouth and brain. All of these facilities need protection from the enemy. It is very important what we see, what we hear, what we say and what we think. God has furnished His children with all the necessary armour to fight against the devil, face to face; and after the battle is over, we can still be standing upright.

The last piece of equipment that is mentioned is the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Gods Word is powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and morrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. God said, Is not my Word like as a fire and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?