The other side of Laser Tag

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." (Ephesians 6:11)

I went to play Laser Tag with some of my friends at a shop near Swinburne University(one of the shophouses behind KWSP building along Ong Tiang Swee Road) last Saturday. It was a thrilled experience for me and very tiring. I will recommend you to go and have a try. It involves teamwork and skill. It will be a bonus if you have played it before. Players are first divided into two teams, mainly red team and green team, each consisting 1-5 players. There are lots of game-modes, but playing unlimited is most worth your money. If you play unlimited mode, the winning team is the team that scores the higher points. It is like a counter-strike game except that you are holding a gun which emits(or shoots) harmless infrared to your opponent. It must be aimed at a 'laser detector' you are wearing. Your 'armor' and the gun is something like this(notice the two white patches in front? that is the place you must aim and shoot at your opponent, there are several more at your back.):

Gear up, people!


The place is just a room with lots of obstacles and few good hiding place. Once you are in action(the game starts), the room darkens and the music starts blaring out from the speakers. Lasers start to shoot crazily around and across the room and dry gas(formed from dry ice, the gas is actually carbon dioxide) is emitted for the best effects(like a Sci-fi battlefield, Star Wars perhaps?). The room is quite small and heaty so you will expect to have difficulty in breathing and lots of sweating after some time. A game costs RM 4 per person. There are two rounds per game, 10 minutes each. If you think this is just short time, think again. After my friends and I played a round, we went out of the room and each of us has the similar expression on our faces- exhaustion(not to be gross, if you carefully smell the air, you can catch some sweaty odour from your friends or yourself). In conclusion, it's a great fun if there are lots of players battling against each other.

When I reached home, I became curious and surf the net for more info about laser tag. I was marvelled by the designs and the sizes. Here are the reasons(just look at the pictures and compare to the one above):

Is this cool or what?

Is this from Star-Trek(nice design and looks good)?

Hmm...realistic

I also search more on Wikipedia and found this:

Soldiers training with the Laser Tag equipment

Went to Google and found this too:

Ready for battle

As we can see, these soldiers(including players) are wearing their full armor and equipped with high-tech guns to train themselves and gain some experience. How about in reality, what armor should we wear to protect ourselves from the spiritual forces of evil?

Well, we do not need to go to some blacksmith(if there is) and make a real tough armor. What we really need is the armor of God. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. Put 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 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 of all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrow of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in this Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests....." (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Belt of TRUTH - His sovereignty, love, wisdom, and holiness. (Deut. 4:39; Ps. 18:1-3)

Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS - Jesus Christ and His blood, which cleanses us from sin. The cross which frees us from bondage to selfish nature.

Sandals of PEACE - Our peace through our union and ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ.


Shield of FAITH - Our continual trust in God, His Word, and His promises.


Helmet of SALVATION - God's promises of daily and eternal salvation in Jesus Christ.

Sword of the Spirit His WORD - The power of God's Word to counter deception and triumph over spiritual foes.

I also want to share with you the following passage I read from a Christian website:

God's armor brings victory because it is far more than a protective covering. It is the very life of Jesus Christ Himself. "[P]ut on the armor of light," wrote Paul in his letter to the Romans, "...clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 13:12-14) When you do, He becomes your hiding place, and shelter in the storm--just as He was to David. Hidden in Him, you can count on His victory, for He not only covers you as a shield, He also fills you with His life.

"I am the vine; you are the branches," said Jesus. "If a man abides in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Since living in the safety of the armor means oneness with Jesus, we can expect to share His struggles as well as His peace. Remember, God has promised us victory in the midst of trials, not immunity from pain. So "do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you, but rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ..." (1 Peter 4:12-13) Christian heroes who have been tortured for their faith continue to testify to the supernatural strength--even joy--that enables them to endure unthinkable pain.

They affirm with Paul -

"that in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.... For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers.... will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-39)

This wonderful truth has become reality to all who believe and follow Jesus. When you put on His armor, His life surrounds you, keeping you safe, close to Himself, and free to be His precious friend and trusted companion. So "put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27) He is your victory!

God bless.