EPHESIANS‬ ‭6:16-17‬‬‬

Too many Christians come into battle unprepared for the onslaught of the enemy. God designed for us a full featured system of engagement that, not only takes into account our vitality, but also allows us to interact with our enemy in battle. For the Roman soldiers, the shield, the helmet and the sword were often the first areas of engagement in a battle. Generally speaking, battles were rarely fought one on one, but instead fought in formations. These tight formations are what left the soldiers largely unexposed accept in these areas. This is how Paul imagined the function of the church. The areas in which we must expect engagement and should bolster area centered around our salvation, our faith and the scripture. It should be noted that all three of these pieces of armor, in battle, can be used both offensively and defensively. Even the helmet of salvation, which is a shield for doubt, can be used to headbutt the enemy. We are not underprepared for engaging the enemy. But we often do it wrong. Too many Christians rely on one on one engagement rather than a tight Roman formation with other believers. Too many Christians refuse to wear their helmet of salvation and leave themselves open to doubt that in the midst of a battlefield. Too many Christians mishandle the word of God and use it like an English long sword, sweeping and slicing and parrying rather than a Roman short sword. They drop their shield as they wildly swing the Bible with two hands. Instead they should be jabbing and cutting and blocking from behind their shield of faith, having one hand on each. Christians ought to be tactical with the equipment God has given them. He has given it to them to make them unstoppable in advancing his kingdom.