We Christians are very quick sometimes to offer Scripture to one another when we are in a tight spot or time of crisis - as we should. And from time to time, we even remember to offer the Scripture to ourselves. If we are calm and still and listening - the Scripture we need will come to us as a gift from the Holy Spirit. And depending on where we are in our pain, we either welcome the gift and we turn our noses up at it - "Is that all you got?"
If I may be transparent for a moment - I'm struggling right now. I'm struggling with service. I'm struggling with commitment. I'm struggling with sacrifice. I'm struggling in relationships. I'm struggling to be heard and to be understood - to hear and to understand. And this morning, when I heard the Holy Spirit ask me if I had put on the "whole armor of God," I turned my nose up and asked - Is that all you got? Don't you see me hurting here?
Of course, I immediately felt convicted. Who am I to question the Holy Spirit?
So I did what I do when I need an answer - I asked the question. Father what am I supposed to hear, say, feel or do? So what I did next was read. Still being transparent - I know enough about the Bible to know there's plenty I don't know. One of the things I'm hoping to get better at, is being able to know where things are located in the Bible. For now - I'm so glad the Bible is available online and that you can search for keywords. Searching for "armor" got me way more than I wanted. Searching for "armor of God" took me right where I needed to be - Ephesians 6: 10-20.
The Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
What I've found is that I do not carry the whole armor of God at all times. Turn to your neighbor and say "battlescars." Even at the beginning of a new battle, if you are not wearing new armor, you will walk out the house with armor that has battlescars. Brand new armor can withstand a lot more abuse. It's so shiny, it might even blind your enemy before they have a chance to attack. But me . . . I've been wearing this same ol' beat down, busted up armor for a while and even when I've put it in the shop to be repaired, there are still a few places where there's a ding or a rust spot.
Have you ever gotten a suit or dress back from the cleaners and they had one of those tags on it that says, "We're sorry, but we were unable to remove the set in stain"?
It is verse 14 where I know (at least today) my armor is in need of the most repair. "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness"
I struggle because I know what looks like truth to me - and I know this may not be exactly the truth of God. And so here I am with "my truth" wrapped tightly 'round my waist. . . and what is it holding up anyway - since I've misplaced my breastplate. I've borrowed one temporarily from "Painful Places, Inc." It's too small and doesn't do a good job of covering my heart. This is the second one I borrowed from them. The first one was mis-labeled. I was looking for the breastplate of righteousness and instead wound up with the breastplate of self-righteousness. I had to RUN take that back.
There are days when one might think - today is not a good day to leave the house since my armor is all jacked up. But since we are reminded, in verse 12, that "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" - then we know that even if we chose to stay inside, the evil will find us. So we have to be, as I've heard it said, "suited and booted" even in our own house.
If your armor is raggedy like mine - I'm suggesting that you trade it in. Don't go borrowing other folks armor that wasn't designed for you. Don't think you can make it - just today - without any one piece. They are equally vital to your health and your well-being. Next time you see me, I hope you have to wear shades to protect yourself from the shine in my new armor. And likewise, I hope I have to wear shades to protect myself from the shine in yours.
