A Woman's Armor

Joan of Arc is a famous female warrior from France. She led a relief mission to support Orleans, a city under siege, late in the Hundred Years' War. Unfortunately, Joan was captured and tried by the English, and burned at the stake in 1431, only nineteen years old.

As a history devotee, I found this article about Joan of Arc's armor interesting, but I learned that, in fact, there are no pictures to show any woman in the Middle Ages wearing armor. They didn't often go into battle, and it seems that if they did, they wore men's armor. Your everyday Medieval woman had more important concerns: keeping their children from starving, preventing their skirts from catching fire while cooking, and surviving childbirth.

Women can serve in the military today, but for most of us, the everyday is still more of a fight: finding a balance, being everything to everyone, and surviving the battle of comparison. Modern women also have a different kind of armor. I heard a commercial recently describing a luxurious sweater as a woman's armor against negativity.

But there is another armor that every woman needs, an armor available to every Christian: the spiritual armor of God.

Ephesians 6:11 tells us to put on the full armor of God "so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." Have we ever thought that the intrusive thoughts of busy-ness, pleasing people, and comparing our lives to others' are whispers of the devil?

I submit to you that they are indeed. The devil doesn't have to destroy us; he only has to distract us. This keeps us from fulfilling God's plan for us.

But God has already given us armor to deflect the devil's weapons. I enjoyed Priscilla Shirer's study on the Armor of God, but let me summarize.

The Belt of Truth: Know God's Word -- God's truth -- so that you can recognize the lies of the devil. He's a liar. He lies. When he says you need to have it all: he lies. When he says you need to be everything for everyone: he lies. When he tells you that you want her life, because it's better: he lies.

The Breastplate of Righteousness: This is not our righteousness; we don't have any. It is the righteousness of Christ given to every believer.

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: The gospel must go forward, and God uses believers to take it around the world. We don't all have to travel to foreign countries; there are people just down the street who need to hear the truth.

The Shield of Faith: Every warrior needs a shield. The devil will try to make you doubt: yourself or the love and grace of God. Didn't he say to Eve, "God didn't really say that, did he?" Have faith, dear sister! God's promises are true.

The Helmet of Salvation: If you have acknowledged your sin and need of a savior, and if you have believed in the saving work of Christ, then you are saved! Know it is true, and know that you cannot lost it. God does not take back His gifts.

The Sword of the Spirit: Everything so far has been a piece of armor used for defense. The Sword of the Spirit is used for offense. It's the Word of God, described in Hebrews 4:12 as "sharper than any two-edged sword." Know God's word so that when the devil comes at you, you can fight him off.

Life is hard, ladies. We all know it. Joan's armor won't help. Cozy sweaters won't, either, no matter how soft they are. But the armor of God is what you need to combat your soul's worst enemy.