THE WAR

About a year ago, I gave a talk in church about putting on the Armor of God. Since then, I've often thought about how much more difficult this world is becoming to live in. It seems as if the bad is just getting worse. The wickedness is more "in our face". With all of the technology, it is more difficult to keep it out of our homes. I'm afraid for the next generation, and the one after that. So what do we do? I say "THIS MEANS WAR." My talk isn't all that great, but here's a copy for anyone who wants to "join on in". (Thanks Tanner)
My Talk
If you can see the look on this soldiers face, you know he has been through a battle. One that has taken courage. One that has required him to be armed with the necessary gear and gunfire. By the look in his eyes he has seen and heard a lot Probably much of it he wouldn't have seen if he had a choice.
Our real contest in life is not with human agencies that come with guns and tanks and bombing planes to destroy us, but that our eternal struggle is with enemies that come in the darkness and that cannot be perceived by the human senses.
My talk is to put on the armor of God against wickedness. In (Ephesians 6:11-13) the great missionary Apostle, Saul of Tarsus, declares the reality of this individual spiritual warfare and urges us to arm for the conflict. Here are his words. "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.."
Unless we put on the "whole armor of God" to battle against this "spiritual wickedness in high places" we shall not be able to withstand "the wiles of the devil".

It would be foolish to go into a battle or combat unprepared. We must be prepared and prepare our children to face the challenges that face us so blatantly in this day and age. As parents we have the responsibility to prepare our children for their own upcoming battles.
SO WHAT IS THE ARMOR OF GOD? (It protects us where we are most vulnerable.)Paul, a valiant defender of the faith, points out the principle parts of an armed warrior that are most vulnerable to the attacks of these enemies which strike in the night or in the darkness and which are not seen usually by the light of day. Four parts of the warrior are spoken of.
1.THE LOINS: were to be "girt about with truth." in biblical diction the loins denoting the location or seat of the organs of procreation, where human life is generated. In (Exodus 20:14) it reads "thou shalt not commit adultery", which is unquestionably interpreted to mean all unlawful sexual association, inasmuch as the Master used interchangeable the words adultery and fornication in defining sexual impurity.

2.THE HEART: (Covered with the breastplate of righteousness). You will remember the Master had said, "From out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh". The righteous man, although far superior to his fellows who are not, is humble and does not parade his righteousness to be seen of men but conceals his virtues modestly. He strives for self-improvement knowing that he has daily need for repentance for his misdeeds or neglect. He is not so much concerned about what he can get, but what he can give to others. He knows that along this course only, can he find true happiness. The breastplate of righteousness has given him the strength of ten, because his heart is pure."
3.THE FEET: "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace". The feet denoting one's course in life, or the way of travel in his journey through life. Fear is the penalty of unpreparedness and aimless dawdling with opportunity. (understand the gospel, read the scriptures, know your Savior, have oil in your lamps.) Whether in physical or moral combat, the tide of victory rests with her who is prepared. She has found the way to peace by "overcoming the world." She has built her house upon a rock, and when the storms come, it will not fall. Such a one is not afraid; she will not be overcome by a surprise attack, for She is ready.
4.THE INTELLECT:(The warrior is to have a "helmet of salvation") As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Harold B. Lee says "With the goal of salvation ever in our mind's eye as the ultimate to be achieved, our thinking and our decisions which determine action will always challenge all that would jeopardize that glorious future state. Lost indeed is that soul who is intellectually without the "helmet of salvation", which tells him that death is the end and that the grave is a victory over life and brings to defeat the hopes, the aspirations, and the accomplishments of life. Such a person may be the one who concludes "eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die." President Lee also says the one who confidently looks forward to an eternal reward for his efforts in mortality is constantly sustained through his deepest trials. He lives above his world and never loses sight of the goal of his salvation.
5. THE SHIELD OF FAITH and SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the word of God, work together.
6. THE ARMOR OF TRUTH IS KNOWING AND DOING.What is truth? It is knowledge.-"knowledge of things as they are, as they were, and as they are to come. We must do more than know the truth. WE MUST LOVE THE TRUTH. Love of truth implies the willingness to sacrifice for its defense.
If we are clothed in the armor of God, we are prepared to face challenges, and if we are able to avoid that which is wicked, we can avoid much pain.But because we are not perfect we may sometimes fall short and be wounded in our battle. The Savior has made it possible through the mighty atonement to be healed, and become stronger and more valiant. By faith, as the word of God teaches, we understand that whatever contributes to our becoming more like Him is good for us, even though painful to us at times.
YOUTH, IF YOU DECIDE NOW TO BE A LEADER AND DEFENDER OF TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHEN YOU ARE FACED WITH SUCH BATTLES THEY WILL BE MUCH EASIER TO FIGHT AND WIN.
Don't ever take on the attitude that "I am strong enough." "I can handle this." The only way to keep your mind sharp, your armor strong is with the strength of the Savior. Know Him. Study Him. Pray. Avoid music, words, movies, games, and places where the spirit cannot be felt. Doing so invites Him into our hearts.
THE ARMOR OF GOD SUGGESTS FACE TO FACE COMBAT. Harold B. Lee points out that you have no armor whatsoever to protect you from the rear. Does this suggest yet another quality essential to this eternal conflict with "spiritual wickedness in high places"? Evidently, no one can win this battle running FROM the enemy. The contest must be FACE TO FACE. There must be no retreat.
WE MUST BE DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH.You and I, to be worthy of our places in God's kingdom, must be defenders of the faith, and as someone has written, "If you have no enemies you say, alas, my friend, the boast is poor.He who has mingled in the fray of duty that the brave endure must have made foes. If you have none, small is the work that you have done. If you have hit not traitor on the hip, if you have dashed no cup from purged lip, you have never turned a wrong to right, you have been a coward in the fight."

AND SO I CHALLENGE ALL OF US, OLD AND YOUNG, ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS!MARCHING AS TO WAR, WITH THE CROSS OF JESUS GOING ON BEFORE. CHRIST THE ROYAL MASTER, LEADS AGAINST THE FOE; FORWARD INTO BATTLE, SEE HIS BANNERS GO!