Before you can really appreciate a new outfit, you’ve got to go into the changing room and take off everything that doesn’t go with it. Paul says, ‘cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light' (Rom 13:12). That means take off lies and put on truth; take off strife and put on peace; take off doubt and put on faith; take off sin and put on righteousness; take off ignorance and put on knowledge. Are you getting the idea? Your old armor can’t stay, because not one piece is suitable for the fight ahead. It’ll only weigh you down and cause you to stumble in the heat of battle. In Ephesians 5, Paul speaks about our intimacy with Christ. In Chapter 6, we’re suddenly moved to the battlefield of the soul. That’s the way it is; one minute you’re worshipping God in ecstasy, the next you’re in the fight of your life. (And it’s all God!) You can’t win spiritual battles without first being intimate with Him. Notice the words, ‘that ye may be able to stand’ (Eph 6:11). The armor is God’s; the stand is yours! You don’t need armor if you’re running away. It’s strictly for those who are willing to stand for what’s truly important: like the salvation of your family, the survival of your marriage, the restoration of your health, your finances, your ministry, or anything else God’s promised you. So today, suit up, stand up, and hold your ground!