阅读经文 

在过去的一些年，我曾为成长中的儿女购买曲棍球器械、防滑足球鞋、篮球鞋、棒球裤和帽子、以及其他运动用品。我也知道，他们参与某项运动越久，他们所需的用品也会越昂贵。儿子每过六个月便不再能穿下他的旧篮球鞋，因为他的脚不断在长。当他从社区联盟晋升至竞技篮球时，他想要一双时尚但却不能保护足踝的新鞋。我们明知不可取，但还是给他买了。当我们很快便不得不要用冰敷他受伤的足踝时，我们就知道，买这双鞋不是什么好主意。我们是应该买那些有比较好的防护设计的鞋。

保罗教导我们说，基督徒如果要装备好去打属灵的仗，他们便需要披戴全副的军装。若要在神里面活出丰盛的生命，我们需要认识军装的每一件兵器，并懂得怎样运用它们。

当我看保罗描述的军装时，我发觉自己看到的正是耶稣的形像。耶稣是真理（真理的带子），祂是我们的义和我们的平安（护心镜和鞋）。我们有信心，是基于祂对我们的信实（信德的藤牌）。祂也是我们的救恩和永活的道（头盔和宝剑）。

我们若以基督所有的这些性情和应许作为装备，我们便已经披戴了神的全副军装，使我们得以坚定站立。

Over the years, I have purchased hockey equipment, soccer cleats, basketball shoes, baseball pants and hats, and more for my children growing up. I also learned that the longer they played a sport, the higher the costs of equipment went up. Our son outgrew his basketball shoes every six months as his feet continued to grow. Then, when he moved up from house league to competitive basketball, he asked for a new shoe that was popular but didn't have ankle support. Against our better judgment, we bought a pair and soon realized as we iced his ankle that it wasn't the best decision to buy those shoes. We should have bought the better equipment instead.

Paul taught that if Christians want to be equipped for spiritual warfare, they need the best equipment. To live into the fullness of God in our lives, we need to understand each piece of equipment and how to use it.

When I look at the armor Paul describes, I realize I am looking at a picture of Jesus. Jesus is the truth (belt of truth), and he is our righteousness and our peace (breastplate and shoes). The reason we have faith is through his faithfulness to us (shield of faith). And he is our salvation as well as the living Word (helmet and sword).

If we are equipped with the full character and blessings of Christ, we have the full armor of God to help us stand.