We wrestle not against flesh and blood.

God gave us armor to shield us from the devil's attacks. If put on correctly, it gives us the ability to kick the devil in the shins. Repeatedly. 

How many times have I asked, "I can probably go today without picking up my sword today. Right...?" 

Ephesians 6:13 says for us to put on the whole armor of God. The whole armor isn't just the bits and pieces we want to wear. Bits and pieces won't fully protect you. It'd be like using an umbrella with several holes and expecting it to keep you dry.

Guess what! This armor doesn't polish itself! 

Lots of Christians today wear this armor. But as I had to learn the hard way, armor gets rusty if I don't keep it polished. In order for my armor to stay functional, I have to continually tend to it. If I want it to help me withstand in the day we live in, I have to pick up my sword and actually use it. What's a knight without his sword? Or his shield or helmet? 

"Polishing" your armor would be like exercising a muscle. Each section of armor has to be tended to, or else somewhere in your fight, it will fail.

Have your loins girt about with truth.

Having on the breastplate of righteousness.

Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Take the helmet of salvation.

The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. 

This is our armor. Wear it boldly for God. It isn't bulky, and it doesn't clang around when you fight in it. Best of all, (and my favorite feature) it never gets heavy! When you put it on, you become a demon fighting machine!

The devil was so cranky today, I knew he must've stepped on that Lego I threw at him yesterday...  

As Christians, we are under constant pressure from the devil. Especially when he sees we're polishing our armor. In 1 Peter 5:8, it says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" *cough* *cough* That says as a roaring lion. Not, a roaring lion. The devil knows he lost. Why do you think he's so cranky all the time? It'd be like playing an extremely long monopoly game, thinking you know exactly how it's going to play out, and then losing. 

"Look! Look! I think I see a bluff in my yard. Oh, I do see a bluff in my yard!"

When this pretend lion attacks you again, because he will, lift your shield and block that attack. Then lift your sword and remind him who he is. A bluff. Then, for good measure, remind him who you are. You are God's child. This is a tactic I have found the devil hates. A lot. So, put on your armor, keep it polished, and go make the devil mad. It's a hobby I find quite enjoyable.