By Tony Rangel

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Ephesians 6:11

In the ancient art of war, the soldiers would make a wall around them and above them with their shields, joining them close together to protect each other so that any arrow flying straight at them or above their heads would be blocked.

Between the shields, the soldiers placed their spears, sticking out far enough to keep the enemy at bay. To penetrate the wall of shields, the enemy soldiers would have to sacrifice themselves in order to allow others to get in.

That got me thinking about the full armor of God found in Ephesians 6:10-18. God tells us to put on the whole suit of spiritual armor in order to protect ourselves from any attacks of the enemy on our thinking, our hearts, or any part of us.

Together in a group, in sync with our fellow like-minded Christians who are praying, praising, and trusting God just as we do, we can be victorious.

You see, every time we gather together in His name, we are putting up our shields of faith and prayer to keep the enemy’s arrows from harming us. We are protecting each other. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:10).

With each worship song we sing with gratitude and joy, with each praise to God, the shield gets stronger. God covers the pastors and the whole congregation as the preacher brings God’s Word.

The enemy will try anything and everything to disrupt God’s Word. He throws all his weight at the pastors and their families; physically and psychologically. He may try to distract the preacher with troubles or concerns, even as he is standing behind the pulpit.

We must cover them in prayer, contending for God’s presence. As they preach the Word, they are going toe-to-toe against the enemy; they’re in his face, saying, “Our God is right here, devil! He will never leave me, He will never leave His people, and His Word will prevail!”

Each brother and sister in Christ is called to wage the same war. Ephesians 6:16-17 says, “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” That goes for each and every one of us.

The battle is just beginning. Our God is ready. Courageous men and women in our fellowship are ready. I thank God that they are not intimidated by the devil; they stand and fight, and they say to each of us, Come fight alongside me. In Prescott and Tucson, Arizona; in cities and towns across the nation and around the world, the people of God are called to stand and fight against the enemy.

I thank God for pastors who show the men and women in their congregations how to be disciples of Jesus Christ; how to bring the Word of God to those in need and train others to put on the whole armor of God; how to keep our shields up and the circle of faith going.

But if the enemy sees an opening in the congregation and penetrates the wall of shields, we will be distracted in battle and we won’t receive the Word that was meant for us; we won’t receive the healing meant for us; we won’t receive the Word of God spoken to the congregation.

Without faith, we are open targets for those arrows, be they arrows of anger, despair, jealousy, envy, hatred, lust, or neglect of God's Word.

How about our families and friends who have no faith in God? We all have them, and we must cover them in prayer, because the enemy is always seeking those he may devour. In John 10:10 Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Our priorities must be for God and His work, reading His Word daily and being in the company of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Stay faithful. Remember, when you’re not in church, that's one less shield protecting the family of God.

Included in our armor is prayer: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing, so let us be vigilant, ready at all times to pray for ourselves, our family, and our brothers and sisters in Christ; for our pastors and for anyone else God puts on our hearts.

You may be sitting at home or driving when, all of a sudden, a friend or a co-worker comes into mind, and you feel an urge to pray for that person. Well, beyond praying for them on the spot, if you're able to go up to that person and ask, “Can I pray for you?” don’t hesitate, because God wants to work through you to help that person.

So come on, don’t let the enemy get a foothold. Be faithful to church. Bring your friends and family. Pray for the service and for each other. Worship the Lord in praise and in song. Maybe you think you can’t sing, but Psalm 100 says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord; to enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Psalm 150 tells us the many reasons we have to praise God and the many ways we can praise Him. Make a joyful noise!

We are sent to be lights in the darkness. We are told not to fear because the Lord is with us.

In the world there are callous and evil men and women who carry themselves as if they are tough. I’ve watched men and women almost brought to tears because a dozen or so Hell’s Angels were revving up their motorcycle. They were shaking like a leaf; cowering behind gas pumps and toolboxes – fearful of the gang based on reputation alone.

Really? Can the Hell’s Angels take on the devil himself? Can they stand tall against the onslaught of his flaming arrows and all his lies and half-truths? I don’t think so. Clearly, the enemy easily influences them. Think about it: these supposedly tough people are manipulated by the devil into doing whatever he wants. So, how tough are they? Real power comes from God.

How about it, my brother and sister? Are you a tough man or woman, whether young or old?

Never be too tough to say, I need God's help; I need Jesus in my life. God is calling you to Him. He wants you to show your children that He’s always there for them; to teach them how to pray to Him; how to read His Word; how to build up their own shield of faith. How to take their place in God’s army, standing shoulder to shoulder with their brothers in arms for the cause of Christ.

Are you ready to ask Jesus into your heart and see Him change your life and the lives of your children? Get tough with the devil. Pray. Take the sword of God’s Word. Raise your shield.