Love Well in a Divided Culture: Navigate Challenging Times With Jesus' LoveSample

Love Well in a Divided Culture: Put on the Full Armor of God

Each day can feel like a battle, and if you’re going into a difficult conversation, you need to put on the full armor of God.

One of the best ways to be ready for the daily difficulties of living in a divided culture is to establish and keep daily Spiritual disciplines through prayer, reading the Word, praise and worship, meditating and listening, and daily confession and repentance.

Let’s look at Ephesians 6:13-17, where Paul writes about putting on the full armor of God to illustrate how we can equip ourselves spiritually for daily battle.

Belt of Truth (verse 14): The foundation of our spiritual armor is the belt of truth. Truth keeps us grounded in God’s Word, the source of all truth. God’s Word guards against deception, falsehood, and the schemes of the enemy.

Breastplate of Righteousness (verse 14): As believers, the righteousness of Christ covers us, and the breastplate protects our hearts. It guards against any attack on our souls and our mission to reflect Christ’s goodness through the Holy Spirit within us.

Shoes of Peace (verse 15): As shoes support mobility and provide stability, the shoes of peace empower us to stand firm in our faith. We walk confidently in the peace that comes from knowing Christ Jesus, and our footsteps carry the pleasant aroma of His presence.

Shield of Faith (verse 16): The shield protects us from Satan’s fiery arrows—darts of false accusations, fear, temptation, judgment, and the desire to rely on ourselves over God, just to name a few. As we hold up this active defense weapon in our artillery, our trust in God’s promises strengthens our defense, allowing us to see God’s power and protection on display, making our shield impenetrable to the devil’s attacks.

Helmet of Salvation (verse 17): As a helmet protects our heads and brains, the helmet of salvation protects our minds and assures us of our salvation—our security in Christ. With clear minds, we have focused hearts on God’s big picture of eternity; when our perspective is on His kingdom, our response is to show the love and compassion of Christ to others.

Sword of the Spirit (verse 17): The sword is God’s Word—our one offensive weapon in the battle against evil. For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires (Hebrews 4:12). Never underestimate the power of God’s Word!

With the full armor of God, you’re ready to be a soldier for the Lord who loves well in a divided culture.

Today, we challenge you to read God’s Word daily and take note of the Scriptures that speak to your soul. God will help you use those verses at just the right time. Sin that is unconfessed and unrepented of keeps us from fully experiencing and worshiping God. Humbly come before the Lord in prayer and search your soul for those things you need to confess. Agree with Him that they’re sin, decide to live differently, and ask for His help in making this change. Enter into a time of thanksgiving and praise, worshiping God. Take note of how you hear God’s voice. Is it through prayer, journaling, listening to music, sitting quietly, or some other form of worship? Whatever that may be, leave space to experience personal connection with Him each day.

Father God, You are my Great Protector. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Help me put on Your full armor every day. Give me the desire to engage in daily spiritual disciplines with You and Your Word. Give me a heart that desires to build a foundation on Your truth. Help me quiet the outside distractions of my daily life and the world around me so that I can fully experience You and what You’re teaching me. Let Your love and compassion overwhelm me in a way that my only response is to pour that love and compassion back out into others. Help me love well in a divided culture. In Jesus’ name. Amen.