If we're going off into battle, we surely must know our enemy.  The devil prowls around like a lion, seeking to steal, kill, and destroy.  That's a military mission if I ever heard one.

The lion is king of the jungle, and this lion that is the devil roams as the prince of the power of the air. Our world is his jungle, and all is not "at ease," as it appears to be. If the lion were tame, he'd be a circus act. But he's not; he's crouching at the door, his desire is for us, but we must master it.

If we meet up with the devil on the battlefield unprepared, we lose. The only way not to be eaten alive is to put on the armor of God. We were never called to be lion tamers, we were called soldiers. (2 Tim 2:3-4), and soldiers aren't desperate housewives. We must bear His coat of arms and His uniform, so it seems we have a few things to put off and put on (at least I do):

²²that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
 ²³and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
 ²⁴and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
 ²⁵Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak the truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
 ²⁷and do not give the devil an opportunity.  ~Ephesians 4

The Greek word for opportunity here is topos, and it means a place, any portion or space marked off.  It's the territory to reclaim for God's glory.

Are you ready?  Retreat leads only to spiritual defeat.  We have our marching orders, and combat boots aren't optional.

There go my cute shoes.