Being a threat to the enemy

In Ep 6 we are exhorted to put on the WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD so that we can stand against the wiles of the devil.
The first 5 chapters tells us Christians how rich we have become because of Christ and what He has accomplished for us. But in order for us to possess all the rich inheritance, the glorious calling and the exceedingly great power we must put on the whole armour. Putting on the armour is putting on the life of Christ. It is to embrace fully by faith the life of Christ in us. It is to live a lifestyle of a devoted, Spirit filled disciple of Jesus Christ, full of His grace and truth.

The first part of the armour is for defence. It is for the Christian soldier's well being. Without it he will be an easy target of the devil. He would be hurt, wounded, paralysed and weak.
The Belt of Truth - if a believer lives in lies, he is already under the power of the Liar and the father of lies.
The Breastplate of righteousness - if the believer is living a selfish life in sin, he is already being bound by the enemy
The shoes of the Gospel of peace - if the believer does not have peace with God and with people and is not a peacemaker he can easily be the cause of strife and contention
The helmet of salvation -if the the believer is unsure of his salvation, living in fear and doubts, then how can he share with conviction the Gospel of salvation to others?
The shield of faith - if the believer is fearful of the disasters, crimes, diseases and accidents around him how can he have the faith to overcome the enemy.
So you can see that the above armoury are for the well being of the soldier. Only when these defense armoury are securely put on can the soldier move on to use the sword and prayer to destroy the works of the devil.

The sword of the spirit which is the word of God is our offensive weapon. Imagine a soldier (in those days they have no guns) without a sword. He has no weapon to kill his enemy even if he has the opportunity to do it. Jesus drew out His sword to destroy the devils' temptation. Do you know the word well enough? Have you put the word in use before and experienced it to be powerful? Have you sharpened your sword? Have you laid up the word in your heart? If you have not then you are no threat to the enemy.

Only when we have the full armour on can we pray effective prayer, powerful prayer and enemy destroying prayers.

And only then can we advance the gospel.

The final goal, the utmost in God's heart is for the gospel to be preached far and wide with love and great power, setting captives free; plundering hell and populating heaven! That's what our KING OF GLORY and Commander in chief wants His army to accomplished.

Let's put on the whole armour and rise up to be God's victorious army, a mighty force that the devil will have to flee from!

Ep 6: 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints ---19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.