When I was much younger I was a club runner. This was fairly tough. It was during a period where New Zealand was a distance running power house, and there were two sub four minute milers (John Bowden and Dick Quax) in our “A” relay team. I was without talent, but by training hard I could make the “B” relay team. But it took training and discipline.
When I got “too busy” I lost that discipline. And the same thing can happen to us in Christ. Yesterday I did not meditate on the scripture first thing. I went to a three hour clinical meeting. At the end of that, I was a grumpy bear being loaded with caffeine by my colleagues in the hope that I would cheer up.
We need discipline and defence. We need a compete set of spiritual armour.
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.
Now, I can recall teaching a Sunday School lesson on this… when I was about twelve. (Bright kid in working class church. of course I was used to teach). This was standard: everyone knew this.
But it is not taught now. Pastors are scared to talk about the Uzi of the word, the armour of righteousness, and being able to withstand the IEDs of the enemy. It is seen as against peace, too masculine… but Paul, this Jew, who was from a people oppressed by the Romans, used the parts of Roman armour for his lesson.
So, if I may… some Kiwi military insights.
- Be sneaky. Walk in.
- Your helicopter will give you away.
- Load the ammo before you load the food.
- Keep the rules of engagement simple, and the lawyers away from the front.