Hero's And Princesses | Shield Of Virtue, Sword Of Truth

For as long as I can remember I have loved the story of sleeping beauty. My mom would read it over and over to my sister and I growing up until its pages were worn, crinkled and dog-eared- the cover long since missing. It wasn't until years later when I learned how to read and opened the pages that I realized that the way it was written wasn't the way my mom told it.

Grandma learned this the hard way on one of her visits. As she attempted to read one of our favorite stories to us- we kept interrupting with "that's not how it goes!" "You're not telling it right!"  Poor grandma. Instead, while mom read it she spun another story into it- so that even though we didn't realize it we were learning about God, and how to fight the battles in our lives. In the middle of a magical fairytale, she was teaching us about the armor of God.

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.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:10-18

Remember the part of the story where the fairies (or angels the way mom told it) got Philip so he could rescue Briar Rose? They gave him a sword and shield. A shield of faith and a sword of the spirit to battle the 'dragon' - so that he could stand against the devil's schemes.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

He has to have the armor of God before he could fight the devil to fulfill his purpose in the story. He had to have faith that even though he was facing a dragon, God wouldn't leave him to face the flames alone. He had to trust God that even though it looked bad, and the odds were against him, that in the end it would be worth it.