PUTTING ON THE ARMOR EVERY MORNING
There is no way to over-emphasize putting on the full armor of God every single day. It should be done before you do any other activity. It should be done before you even brush your teeth. You don't put on your bulletproof vest right after you've been shot.
On most days, I go straight to the shower. Some people sing in the shower. I put on the armor of God in the shower. I do it out loud. I know God can hear my thoughts, but I want to hear the words myself. And I want Satan to hear them. Satan can’t read my thoughts, but he can hear what I proclaim out loud. So as I am putting on the armor of God out loud, I am also giving notice to the devil that I am protected, and he will not be successful with me. He can go somewhere else.
Do not be naive. Satan and his demons are after you. They are seeking to kill your joy, your influence, your victory. They are trying to steal your blessing and destroy your faith. They are literally looking for “cracks in your armor” where they can sneak in and
make you fear,
make you worry,
make you bitter
and make you discouraged.
The times when you feel the least like doing this are the times you need to do it the most. Satan is hyper-alert to times when you are weak, tired, and wounded. He knows you are most susceptible in those times. And if you are not armed with the full armor of God, you will lose every single time. You will become depressed and disillusioned.
You are a sitting duck, an easy target, for the fiery darts of the evil one if you are not wearing the armor. This armor has already been provided by God. If you care anything at all about your soul or your protection, put it on! Don’t be naive, don’t be presumptuous, don’t be deceived–You are NOT stronger than Satan. BUT, praise God, “He that is in you is stronger than he that is in the world.” And when you put on Him, because He is your armor, it is impossible for Satan to get through.
Why didn't I do this for most of my life? It is obvious to me now why I was so easily defeated.
Knowing what I know now, I would no more eat my breakfast without doing this, than I would wander the most dangerous street in Memphis, TN at 2:30 am unarmed and all by myself. You should no more forget to do this every day than you would forget to put on your clothes before you go outside. It doesn’t matter how busy you are, you still have time to get dressed, don’t you? You do have time! It isn't optional. It is imperative.
