To be prepared to enter into a spiritual encounter, where binding the enemy takes place in the physical proximity of you, requires a lifestyle of preparation, namely the wearing of the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18), which is really about being in right standing with God and knowing how to use the authority He has given you to be effective. A lifestyle of preparation refers to the subtlety in the physical and spiritual implications of spiritual warfare.
Armor of God
Consider the Armor as depicted in (Ephesians 6:11-18)
1. “Having done all to stand” - Never give up, have perseverance no matter how long the battle ensues. Don’t get complacent and grow weary in the fight.
2. “Loins girt about with truth” - Lions are hips, this speaks to the direction in life, where you point your hips is the direction you will go, wherever you go, you should go in truth. In other words, wherever you go and wherever you are, tell the truth, always. No lying. (Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 3:8-10, James 3:6, 10).
3. “Breastplate of righteousness” – Integrity. (Proverbs 20:7; Psalms 25:21; 26:11).
4. “Gospel of peace” - Meaning, wherever you go and place your feet peace should come with you. Avoid drama, if there is “no” peace where you are and you cannot bring peace where there is strife, you should leave (Luke 10:5, Matthew 5:9, 10:12-13; Romans 12:18).
5. “Shield of faith” You must have confidence on what the Lord has said He will do, and don’t forget what He has already done for you personally and the world. By doing that, you can have faith He will do what He says He will do in the future (James 1:3-8).
6. “Helmet of salvation” This refers to knowing the word of God, to be certain of your own salvation in Christ. To know who you are and to have confidence in it. By knowing this, during an encounter with the devil, he will not be able to convince you otherwise. With this knowledge, you can also be assured you can prevail in any situation that comes (Mark 4:15). Satan will try to steal the word that is planted in you, and as such steal your confidence, authority and your ability to fight him (Matthew 13:19-23). Once the word is grafted in you the Holy Spirit can bring back to you what you need in the moment (John 14:26).
7. “Sword of the Spirit” This is the Word of God itself. This is the tool Satan can’t fight against in any way, but you must know it and the context of it in order to use it effectively. Satan knows the Bible too, but he is not filled with the Spirit, so he has an intellectual knowledge of the Bible, not a spiritual one. The reason Satan tries to steal the word, is to disarm you (Hebrews 4:12). You must use God’s word against the Devil, it is the only way. When you resist the Devil he will flee from you (James 4:7).