This Saturday is Veterans’ Day in the U.S. It is a time when we remember those who served in the military in the past and those who currently serve. We thank them for their sacrifices that attained and preserved the freedom that we enjoy in this great nation.

We also must remember that we Christians are in the Lord’s army. We enlisted when we chose to follow Jesus. Our battle is of a spiritual nature, but that does not mean that it is less real.

In his book Let’s Get Moving, Stuart Briscoe shares the following: “From my experience in the armed forces I have learned that the soldier needs to be thoroughly aware of three things. He needs to know who his enemy is, he must be fully conversant with his own equipment and be clear about his own area of responsibility. Should the occasion ever arise where a soldier in battle cannot identify his enemy, doesn’t know how to operate his equipment and has no idea what he is expected to do, it is highly unlikely that he will survive, much less triumph!”

Our enemy is the devil, our equipment is the armor of God (Eph.6:10-18) and what we are expected to do is to follow the orders of our commander, Jesus Christ. If we don’t understand this, we cannot hope to be victorious.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”—Ephesians 6:10-11.