The Armor

Basic Training
Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
Every soldier must go through basic training. In basic training the soldier learns how to use his equipment and weapons and the soldier undergoes physical training in order to gain endurance. Without endurance, no matter how good the soldier is with his weapon and equipment, the soldier will fail in the mission. This endurance is built up through testing.
1Co 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
As we go through testing we gain endurance and build our faith in God. And we learn to use our weapons and armor. As we learn to trust God more and more then we are better able to stand. Finally we reach a point where we realize that it is not us doing the work or the fighting, but instead it is God. When we are able to realize that and apply it then we are full able to utilize our armor and weapon.
Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
As we begin our Christian walk we are not able to effectively wear the full armor of God or to use our weapon to its fullest extent. This takes practice. In the earthly realm when a soldier first starts wearing his body armor and using his rifle, he gets tired easily and sometimes misses the target that he is aiming for, so it is with our spiritual armor and weapon. As the days go by and endurance is built up the soldier is better able to stand and fight, so it is with the Christian. So do not become discouraged when you fall, but instead get up and try again.
Eph 6:12-13 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Remember who the enemy is. The enemy is not the person who you are dealing with in the physical realm. The enemy is the forces behind that person. The person or people that you are dealing with are the ones you are supposed to be imaging Christ to. Understand that they are not the enemy; they are the enemy’s tools.