Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. – Ephesians 6:13
Both my husband and I celebrated birthdays recently, and we are getting more health conscious with each passing year. I have become a label watcher and will not buy a food product until I first check how many fats are in it, and what kind of fats they are. And is there any fiber? How much? What about protein?
To the best of my abilities, nothing goes in my cart if I know it is bad for us. Only the things that will help us grow stronger are allowed. This requires constant watching—nearly everything must be checked because I have discovered how sneaky those “bad fats” can be. It would be so easy to throw foods into the cart just because they look good, yet those are precisely the ones I know should be looked into. This does not mean our diets can only include unprocessed or tasteless foods; I simply need to pay attention.
Spiritually speaking, the activities that fill up our days are like food for our souls. Some will strengthen us, helping us grow in the Lord and serve Him better, and some will bring us down. The hardest part about choosing is that we have an enemy trying to trick us. The devil walks about looking to attack us when and where we least expect it. This is why we must be spiritual “label watchers.” In every decision we must ask ourselves, Does this agree with the Word of God? Will this draw me closer or further away from Him? Will it glorify Him? We need to be ever watchful and prayerful.
In order to make good eating choices, I have to prepare ahead of time by studying about nutrition and planning good meals. It takes time and energy, but these steps make me less likely to compromise my goals. Likewise, we must be prepared for the spiritual battles we will face each day. In this battle we need spiritual weapons, and in Ephesians 6:12, the Apostle Paul lists each part of the armor God provides for us. These protect us and enable us to be victorious. Paul says to “take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day.” When we are wearing all the armor God has supplied for us, we are ready for a spiritual battle and can expect to win.