Love's Battlefield

“Why does love always feel like a battlefield?” asks Jordin Sparks, American Idol season 6 winner, in her hit song Battlefield. Truth is, I guess we’ve all experienced a wound in love. It doesn't have to be romantic love either. We can have pain in our relationships with parents, siblings, and friends. Even after you have children you find out that they too are masters of battle, with you and each other!

Even without relationship issues, sometimes it seems like just living a decent and moral life is an uphill battle. It’s hard to do what’s right, especially when no one else seems to care if you don’t, and they’re certainly not. Try as we may, we’re up against more than we can handle on our own. What’s a girl to do? Jordin Sparks continues in her song, “Better go and get your armor.” The Bible says we need to do the same thing! Ephesians 6 says we need to put on the full armor of God. What’s that?

The Sword of the Spirit is the Bible. Armed with the verses in the Bible we can take on any challenge, as it is filled with wisdom and advice on relationships and love, better than anything Dr. Phil or Oprah ever came up with. The Bible even defines what perfect love is: "Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven." (1 John 4:10, CEV) Through our belief in Jesus we receive the helmet of Salvation…and it doesn’t even cause hat hair!

The Bible tells us that in God’s armor even our feet are covered with the peace that comes from knowing the truth about Jesus. Girls, that peace looks better on you than Jimmy Choo or Manolo Blahnik ever could.

Finally the shield of faith protects us from being harmed by the world’s attacks. That faith gives us the strength to fight the battle against sin, which is simply doing what the Bible says is wrong. As our faith grows, it gets easier to fight off the temptations to sin, even when the world says its okay.

Prayer too is an essential part of this warfare. As a matter of fact, “Prayer Warrior” is a churchy term for people who pray ceaselessly for others. Because whether we admit it or not, it’s a battle to do what’s right. We need to be considered armed and dangerous to sin and evil.

Relationships can be tough, and life can be tougher. We need every weapon God has issued to protect us. So take the advice of Jordin Sparks and the Bible, “Better go and get your armor.”

Ephesians 6:13 – 17 CEV -- So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm. Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God's justice protect you like armor. Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Let God's saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God's message that comes from the Spirit.

To read more devotionals today, hop on over to the blog of Rachel Olsen who is hosting a devotional carnival.

Jordan Sparks Battlefield Video: