By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

Shortly after midnight on Saturday morning, Wicus and Adrie Scheepers’ dogs started to bark on their smallholding in Pretoria-West. Wicus rose to see what was happening. Just before leaving the house, Adrie reminded him to put on his bulletproof vest. That saved his life. Outside the robbers shot him twice in the back and tried to attack him with a knife. The bullets were blocked by the jacket and the knife got stuck in the jacket’s material. In an interview with Netwerk24 after the incident, Wicus said: “If I was not wearing the jacket, I would be gone.” He added that it was more than just the jacket that saved him. “The Lord was there and He protected me.”

In Ephesians 6:12 Paul reminds us of our daily battle: “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” He also gives advice on how we should tackle this battle in verse 13: “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.”

What is this armor Paul speaks about - and how should we put it on daily?

• Helmet: The enemy attacks us in our minds regularly in the form of, for instance, thoughts of inferiority, a justification of that affair with someone outside your marriage, gossip stories and many others. We put the helmet of salvation on, when we ask God to keep our minds pure while stopping negative thoughts and replacing it with God-inspired thoughts (Philippians 4: 8).
• Breastplate: We put on the breastplate when we remind ourselves that God has freed us from sin when Jesus died on the cross.
• Belt: We put on the belt of truth when we deliberately seek the truth and live in God’s light.
• Shield: We pick up the shield to protect ourselves from the fiery darts of the enemy when we put our eyes on God, trusting Him completely for our breakthrough – even if we don’t see any signs of it happening yet.
• Shoes: We put on the shoes when we ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us to share of God’s goodness and mercy so people who are not yet in a relationship with Him, might be drawn to Him.
• Sword: We take up the sword when we start to meditate on God’s promises. It is then that we can say, like Jesus when tempted in the wilderness by Satan: “It is written ...” while citing God’s unchanging promises. The Word of God is our weapon in the battle.

As believers, we are not immune to challenges. Yet, amidst the most difficult time, we should not forget our armor as that will make us an open target for the enemy. Wicus Scheepers experienced how the bulletproof vest saved his life. By putting on the armor daily in our lives, we too might say in due time, "If I had not been wearing the jacket, I would be gone, but the Lord was there and He protected me.” God bless.

Father God, thank You for Your armor. Lead me today to keep my thoughts pure and to make Your Word a priority in my life. Help me to put my faith and trust in You, to pursue truth and to be willing to share the good news of Jesus Christ where You need me today. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

• See picture of Wicus Scheepers at www.benescke.co.za or click on this link: http://www.netwerk24.com/Nuus/Misdaad/pantser-baadjie-red-my-20160208