Monthly Archives: February 2013

A Battle Plan (Pt. 9)

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4. The Pieces of God’s Armour.

“It’s about time!” may be the expression of some. It may even boarder on exasperation; “Finally, the Armour!” Yes, I have taken a different approach to this subject and I apologies for any tedium. This difference in approach may bemuse some, but it is not necessarily wrong. Much of the Christian’s modern warfare has been ineffective precisely because the areas addressed have not been adequately dealt with. If we fail to understand the difference between the big and little esses, then we have a defective view on warfare. If we fail to understand the targets of our warfare, then we too will be vulnerable. If we focus on the ‘authorities in the heavenly’ alone, then we miss the Biblical call to action. If we are all fired up about Christian Warfare, but fail to count the cost or to make the appropriate sacrifices, then we are nothing more than Quixotic dreamers ‘tilting at windmills’.

We can hold the very best of ideals and desire for the most positive outcome, yet, if we fail at one of these points, that outcome will not, indeed cannot, be realised. A highly polished suit of armour proudly paraded around your living room with the consequence that ‘mother needs to buy new blades for the ceiling fan!’ every few days, is hardly the concept of which Scripture speaks. It is of no benefit to enter one’s prayer closet and ‘curse the darkness’ or ask God for victory, then walk outside and when confronted with a situation, turn your eyes to the ground, close your mouth, and walk away. It is worthless to express an idea such as, “We need a Muslim terrorist to enter our church and open fire! It will wake people up!” when as a leader in Christ’s Church you have not made every effort to hold fast the truth.1 The soldier needs the best armour and armament, for sure. However, the soldier behind that armour needs to be fit and skilled – attributes that only come through sacrifice. He also needs to be directed to the correct battlefield to oppose the proper enemy. There is little point in landing elite troops 3000 miles from the true battle field where the real enemy wreaks havoc!

Thank you for your patience.

With these things said, we are in a far better position to appreciate the nature of the “armour” in which Paul encourages us to be clothed. For now we will be the complete soldier.

Footnotes:

1. Yes, sadly, I had this very scenario placed before me. It was not expressed concretely, but it was nonetheless expressed. The sad element was that I had witnessed firsthand a number of compromises by this brother. It is despicable to court such an idea when, as a leader, you have not disciplined to truth; shot wolves; fed sheep; or really exercised the spiritual oversight required by Christ.

A Battle Plan (Pt. 8)

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C. The Purpose of the Armour: What then is the purpose of this armour? Many become embroiled in deep discussions over each piece of the armour whilst missing the essential point as to why the armour is given. It is important to clear away the clutter so that we can see, adjudge, and obey God’s word. To direct us in the way, we need to listen to the Apostle’s words in verses 11 and 13:

Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Everything else in this passage of Scripture is governed by these words. It is in these words that we find the purpose for all the rest of Paul’s words. The armour is given so that the Christian may “resist” and “stand firm”. This point needs to be understood and proclaimed. As I look at Christians and Christianity today, the words ‘resist’ and ‘stand firm’ are not the words that readily spring to mind as apt descriptors. The more appropriate terms would be “capitulate” and “lie down”.

Therefore, my brethren, may I urge you to understand what the Holy Spirit is here saying to the Church through the apostle Paul.

When we look at verses 11 and 13 we see that they are essentially a reflection of each other. Both command the Christian to do something with God’s armour (Put on! Take up!). Both give the purpose (Stand firm! Resist!). Both tell us what to stand against (Devil’s schemes; Evil day). Please note that Paul’s argument does not admit of capitulation or compromise. There is no running away; there is no fleeing. Our obligation is to “Stand!”

Harking back to the previously quoted texts in Joshua, if we have turned our backs to our enemies it is because of disobedience to God’s command and the consequent withdrawal of His favour. When we look about the Church and we see capitulation and back turning, it is because of disobedience. This point was made earlier and you were asked to keep it in mind. Why? Precisely because that principle still operates today. God cannot and will not bless disobedience. If we are running from our enemies it is because of disobedience to God’s holy standard. We have given up on doing as God has commanded. We have respectfully but erroneously informed God that we Christians in the 21st century, having Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, the WWW, and so on, are just that bit more advanced and wiser than our forebears. We have even impugned God be inferring that we are a bit smarter than He is and that we do not need to follow His specific commands because of our enlightened status (Ring any bells? Think Adam. It ended badly!). The simple, Biblical truth, which cannot be ignored, is that we flee from our enemies only because God has withdrawn His blessing on account of our persistent disobedience!

Let’s do some reverse engineering here with Paul’s logic. Paul commands that we take up the armour of God that we might stand firm. If we turn this around, the question is this: Christian, do you have any intention of fighting or standing firm? If not, it is disobedience and you will not need the armour. In such a situation, the armour will only hinder your running away and ‘lying down’. If you answer yes, it is obedience and the only way you can achieve your goal is by being clothed in Christ Jesus. Thus, we all have one very specific question that we must ask and answer; Flee or Fight?

Please understand that I speak foolishly as according to man. For the text does not admit, at any point, of the Christian having such a choice (though to look at some quarters of the Church you could be forgiven for believing that such a choice existed). Paul is insistent that our only option is to stand. Therefore, we must be arrayed in the Armour of God.

Paul’s insistence is clearly evident in the text. We have looked at verses 11 and 13. Now, please look at the opening of verse 14. Paul opens his explanation of the armour with a command – Stand Firm! Paul has twice commanded the Christian to take up the armour so as to be clothed appropriately. In those places, Paul has subordinated the purpose – standing firm – to the taking up of the armour. Here, that changes. Paul now opens with the command to “Stand firm!” With the command issued, Paul then moves on to the specifics of each piece of armour. In other words, Paul is insistent on two things – take the armour and stand firm!

Please try and grasp this. Paul wants every Christian to walk the victorious life in Christ – the life of the soldier. Pauline writings are replete with the symbols of Christ’s victory. Because Christ Jesus is victor, His redeemed ones are to be likewise victorious. We bring no glory to our God or to Jesus our Redeemer when we are defeated because of disobedience. Consequently, Paul gives us the keys to victory. We must stand firm and we can only stand firm when we are fully clothed in Christ. We cannot stand without the armour and the armour is useless if we will not stand. This is not an ‘either / or’ situation. It is a ‘both / and’ situation.

If we decide to stand, but do so without armour, we are being disobedient and will therefore fail. If we have no resolve to stand in obedience to God’s command, then being clothed in the finest armour avails nought. This too is disobedience.

Understood in this manner, Paul is really giving only one clear command – “To victory in Jesus Christ!” However, Paul does this by giving us two unambiguous commands. The first is the command of purpose – “Christian, you must stand!” The second is the command of instrument – “Put on God’s panoply!”

Maybe, with a bit of poetic licence, we could bring Paul to life. Imagine him as the general in front of His troops delivering a rousing speech. In short sharp words and with authority and conviction, Paul is heard to say: “This is the evil day, the day of battle. The enemy approaches. Honour Jesus! – Your King who died for you. Make your stand; give no ground. Make you stand. Clothe yourself in Christ Jesus, the very Armour of God! Clothe yourself, I say, and make your stand. For this is the ‘making sure of your calling and election!” (2 Peter 1:10-11; Ephesians 4:1-6; Philemon 2; 2 Timothy 2:3)

Therefore, please understand this imperative. God’s Armour is given to the Christian for a purpose. That purpose is so that, in obedience to His calling as a soldier, you may stand firm. God’s Armour ensures obedience to God’s command and therefore the wonderful state of being blessed by God.

Brethren, let is dwell in the blessing and victory that is ours through Jesus Christ by clothing ourselves in God’s armour with the full resolve that, with all our might and with all Spiritual aid, we shall stand firm in the evil day.

The Love of Money Is the Root of All Evil!

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Once more the media is abuzz with the news of drugs in sport. We thought that the “drugs in sport” issue may have reached its dizzy heights with the Lance Armstrong affair. However, with revelations that certain highly prized Australian codes may be infected with a drug culture we were obviously mistaken.

Whilst I am a sports fan, enjoy a good game, and appreciate how money has helped to improve some grounds, the simple reality is that I have become increasingly disillusioned by the part that money has played in sport, all sports. The simple reality is that no sportsman is worth the current figures being paid. Take cricket as one example. Recent contract shuffles see Australian cricketers on retainers of $230,000. Michael Clarke receives a bonus as captain; While all players receive significant match fees – $14000 a test; $5600 per One Day match; and $4200 for a Twenty20.

Speaking in the context of AFL Boss Andrew Demeitriou’s salary, you may find this following paragraph of interest: “From an annual pay package of $560,000 – less than many of the best-paid players in the league back in 2004 – his pay climbed to $2.1 million last year, double that of dual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd. Last year the league’s 11 key executives – who all report directly to Demetriou – earned $6.2 million between them, an average of $536,500. That’s well above the $365,922 earned by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and 12 per cent more than the year before.”

Now many arguments will be adduced about how money can benefit sport. Those familiar with Cricket will have heard the mantra many times, even this summer. We will hear that money makes for better competition. We will hear that money makes for better competitors.1 We will hear all sorts of arguments. What they do not openly discuss, however, is that this vast amount of money renders them as fruit ripe to be plucked.

In short, if there are large sums to be made then the unscrupulous will begin to circle like the hungry shark. Then we must add into this equation the emerging evil of “online betting” and, in particular, “sports betting”.2 Similarly, we must add in the elevated status of Sports Stars. When I was a boy, Rock Stars were the in thing. Now, for the most part, these have taken a back seat to the “heart throbs” and “glamour girls” of sport.

When all this is taken into account the simple question is, “Why are we surprised that there are increasing incidents of drug induced cheating in sport?”

I have had a long standing opposition to excess money in sport. It harks back to the days of yore when I witnessed a “skins” game (golf). One player sunk a hole in one. His bonus was the equivalent of one year’s salary. Such should simply not be the case.

My objections are in essence threefold:

First, we arrive at the situation we have today. People’s lives are turned upside down. Reputations are ruined. That is at one end. At the other is the simple sports fan. He is disillusioned. Did his team win or did they tank. How does he trust any result. Is his boyhood hero really a hero, a gifted and well trained athlete or is he a drug cheat?

Second, people will respond by saying that these people are top athletes who train diligently and deserve what they receive. That is a cogent argument if it proves valid for all. When scrutinised, it falls flat. As a biased and proud husband, let me use my wife as an example. Annette spent years at university to get her initial degree. She has worked to hone her skills in clinical practice. She has completed further study. She has been engaged in training the next crop of “health professionals” through the university system. Yet, on a full time wage she would not receive half that of those on the cricket retainer. Unless she is keeping secrets, she has not had anyone offer her money to wear their particular brand of shoes; write exclusively with their pen; or appear on a television commercial pushing a particular product. Let’s put this into sharp relief. If cricket was stopped tomorrow, what would we lose? What would be the flow on effect? If people stopped turning up to institutions of higher education to train people, what would we lose?3

Third, I do not think that enough people stop to ask, “From where is sports money derived?”  What revenue does sport in and of itself generate?  The answer is, Nothing! You are the cash-cow of sport! That is right, YOU!! Sport receives some input from government. That is your tax. Then there is sponsorship. Where does that money come from? Yes, you! Every time you buy a bat, a ball, a sports singlet, or a franchise hamburger or chicken burger, you are paying for the sport. When you go through the turnstiles, you are paying for the sport.

I do not have such an issue with the turnstiles as that was how the operations were originally funded. However, now that there is such big money from sponsorship, people should be admitted free. I mean after all, it is not just sportspeople, but sports grounds, and sporting events that receive sponsorship.

You have for example, Blundstone arena in Tasmania. “Etihad” stadium in Melbourne. The “Cattery” was “Kardinia park” it is now Simonds Stadium. The Sheffield Shield was lost as a name of meaning to cricket for some years when it became the “Pura Cup”. The competition was then taken over by different sponsors. Seemingly the historic name “Sheffield” has been reunited to the domestic cricket scene, but only as a subtitle. Then we can look at team sponsorship and the matter of sponsorship by government agencies – again your taxpayer dollars. The SpeedBlitz Blues have as a major sponsor the RTA. We could then point to the TAC’s sponsorship of several AFL teams. When Collingwood lost that sponsorship due to an infraction by a player, they were said to have lost $500,000.

Think this through. Every time you pay your registration fee with its “third party” component – if you live in Victoria – you are paying for a football club. I imagine the NSW RTA is in a similar situation. Then we have the burgers and fries. The list is endless. However, the limitations of your wallet and income are not! How much do you pay every year for sponsorship; a hidden cost built into thousands of sporting products? Now companies will argue that such sponsorship comes from profits. We would counter, “Where do the profits come from?” Again, they come from you, the end user. You!

The simple reality of the situation is that we are now paying the Piper. We are seeing the consequence of our sin and rebellion. We have made sports people into the new gods. We have hailed them. We have worshipped them. However, when it is all boiled down, they are just finite, mortal, men and women.

Our God is angry. In His justice He is exposing these travesties for exactly what they are. They have stolen His name (Exodus 20:7). They have stolen His day of worship (Exodus 20:8). They have stolen His glory (Isaiah 42:8). They have even attempted to steal His crown (Nehemiah 9:18; 1 Kings 12:28). It is a mini saga replicating the key elements of Man’s rebellion in Genesis (Genesis 3:1-24).

Men, being fallen, are full of pride. Men, being fallen, love to be worshipped. Men, being fallen, love to receive tithes from their underlings. Men, being fallen, love to hear praise. Whilst this is ever the case, these fallen men will turn to anything to protect their status.

Man is corrupt. Mega dollars only magnify that corruption.

God’s wisdom in 1 Timothy 6:8-10 is: “And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.” Similarly Proverbs 11: 3 & 8: “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death” … “He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.”

Drugs in sport, cheating, if you will, is but one more evidence of Man’s rebellion against God and of the corruption of his heart as a consequence of that rebellion. What we see is the innocent corrupted, yet again. What is before us with these fresh allegations is a giant tick for the Biblical view of man as fallen and corrupt. Yet man’s response will be to deal with this issue in his own power and after his own ideal, for the one thing he will not do is admit that he is “a sinner in the hands of an angry God.”

A general panacea to this epidemic will not be found until we return to God and His wisdom. By that is implied, a return to the message found in the text of Timothy quoted above. A return to being content with enough; not the most. A return to being content with what is adequate; not that which is in excess. A return to simply being content.4 Such contentedness comes only when the heart is reconciled to God through Jesus Christ and through the proclamation of God’s law. It does so precisely because it makes us realise that gold and silver can never satisfy. It makes us realise that the only thing we can take from this world are our works and even these shall be tested by fire.

We have sown the wind. Now we shall reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). We have cast aside the most magnificent Being, revealed to us in Jesus Christ, known to us through the Bible’s revelation as God Almighty.  In his place we have established idols in our own image and likeness. These new gods have proven fallible. God has shaken (Jeremiah 10:10) the earth and these new gods have begun to fall. May their end be as that of Dagon (1 Samuel 5:3-4) of old – left lying in pieces at the feet of the One true and living God!

Footnotes:

            1. Like Tiger Woods being lured to play in Australian Masters with the Victorian Government paying 50% of his 3 million dollar appearance fee. Yes, it was touted to generate a 20 million dollar boast to the economy. However, how can one really measure such an input? If it is effective, why do the taxpayers have to foot the bill? If it is so effective why does the financial outlay not fall to those who expect to reap the most benefit?

            2. Think about this. Tobacco sponsorship was banned. Cricket lost a long term sponsor in Benson and Hedges. We know that it is illegal for players, in most codes, to bet on games or seemingly for even their relatives to do so. This was highlighted recently in AFL.  Yet now we have the St Kilda football club being sponsored by one online betting establishment. What message does this send? If you watched any cricket this year, you will have seen another online betting establishment prominently featured. Where is the consistency? Oh yes, we always hear, “Remember, gamble responsibly?” but who are they trying to kid? Why not say, Smoke responsibly?

            3.  Yes, we would all agree that the university system needs an overhaul and that it would be a blessing if some “faculty” did not turn up. However, this is not the norm. Doctors, Veterinarians, Para-medical, Lawyers all contribute a great deal to society. A similar example is that of my brother. He is a mechanic. He has slogged away for years in an unsung profession. If all mechanics stayed home tomorrow, how long would it take for our country to grind to a halt?

            4. An illustration of what is meant here, a simple illustration, is the mobile phone craze. How many people do you know who go for the latest phone and gadget whether they need it or not?

 

Health Trumps Morals

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A recent news headline, in regard to the abortion drug RU486, grabbed my attention—and that for all the wrong reasons.

Australia has become such a moral cesspool that we no longer seem to consider moral arguments as in any way relevant to the decisions that we make each and every day. The article mentioned was crying foul that certain women were being forced into home abortions by the, supposed, fact that “they cannot afford a doctor’s prescription or cannot get to a clinic.” This situation then, supposedly, leads to the procurement of RU486 from disreputable sources, which puts these women at further risk because the product can be contaminated.

At these claims, one’s heart is supposed to bleed. Mine does not. In the interest of “full disclosure”, I must state that I am a male and a Christian, which means, of course, that I am insensitive to “women’s needs” and biased. With that out of the way let us break this situation down and expose it for what it really is: Lawlessness dressed as compassion!

If we go back to the beginning of the abortion debate in this country, you will find exactly the same argument – ‘Oh, we must legalise or make abortion-on-demand available so that backyard abortions are stopped and the pain and suffering ended.’ For the most part, for all intents and purposes, abortion is now legal and readily obtainable. So why are women still subjecting themselves to home abortions?

The answer, Biblically, is sin and guilt. The article in question quoted one Professor as saying, “Women who bleed extensively may present at hospital but won’t say (that they took the drug).” Why is this? It is because there is an innate guilt associated with the act of murder. Dress it up. Call it by any other name; Yet the fact remains that women who have abortions end up being plagued by psychological phenomena associated with the guilt. If guilt is not at the heart of the matter, why not carry the child and give it up for adoption? After all, in our shameless society, that is more than possible.

Then we could ask concerning accountability. The problem today is the same as it has always been. To quote one Elder, ‘If women kept their legs together and men kept their pistols in their pockets” we would not have this problem. Amen brother! You see, at the heart of abortion is morality. It begins, for the most part, with illicit sexual relations. It is driven by a desire not to be exposed, and that at the deepest level of human existence. People wish to deceive themselves into thinking that they are pure, good, and decent people. However, it is very hard to convince others, and particularly yourself, that such is true when you willingly tear an innocent life from your womb. After all, good people do not kill the innocent. Pure people make right decisions for all. The decent, being a fellow who would give you the very shirt from his back, should not now demand the shirt back, leaving you to freeze.

Of course, we must ask the economic question, “How much are the good old fashioned contraceptives?” Surely, five bucks on a packet of condoms is better than sourcing abortive drugs illegally from overseas? Surely, a prescription for the pill is easier to acquire than an abortion clinic? Surely a bus ticket is cheaper and far more convenient than a lonely, agonising death on a bathroom floor due to blood loss or other complications?

Here we return to morality. The simple fact is that these women have a number of options before them – starting with no illicit sex and extending to taking responsibility for their actions. However, as with most things today, the wrong choices are highlighted and argued ad nauseam and to the nth degree so as to guilt people into further lawlessness and immorality. Most interestingly, the wrong is even argued as a moral right!

An example of this is found in a related article that illustrates the absolute nonsense on which these people operate. It says: “RU486 struck fear into the heart of the anti-abortionists; a pill was just too easy, they thought. If a woman must have an abortion, make the process difficult. Make her suffer. In 2006 then Health Minister Tony Abbott said RU486 was just too risky; he overrode expert advice to ban the pill, warning of backyard miscarriages and unscrupulous doctors. That effective ban was overturned and the pill is available on Australia. In some places. At some expense. For many – the poor and those living in rural Australia – abortions in general are still hard to get. But women find a way. You can order RU486 online and have yourself a home abortion, unsupervised. Dangerous. There is a lesson in this about pragmatism. You can have all the moral objections in the world to abortion, but if women can’t access them safely, they will find a way to access them unsafely. And you end up with backyard miscarriages and unscrupulous doctors.”

“Okay! Okay! I give up. You have convinced me.” I mean, how can I be a pro-life / anti-abortionist in the face of such overwhelming logic and argument? Easily!

First, note that the fall back position is scorn and ridicule. I do not know of any Christian that opposes abortion on the basis of wanting women “to suffer”. On the contrary, women who have abortions do suffer. I want that suffering, and that of the child, to end. That is the position of the moral absolute found in God. Do not commit the sin and thereby alleviate all the consequences of that sin.

Second, there is the absurdity. We have legalised abortion to stop backyard abortions. However, we have not made it legal enough or available enough, therefore, we will get “backyard miscarriages (note the subtle change in terminology) and unscrupulous doctors.” What I see in this particular mess of pottage is that legalising abortion has not worked. Put differently, legalised abortion has failed to meet the end for which it was given, promoted, and continues to be trumpeted. (Please also note the absolute contradiction. Tony Abbott is condemned for banning the drug amid fears of backyard abortions; now this drug is the source of those backyard abortions. In short, Tony Abbot was right! Where do they send their heartfelt apology?)

This, again, leads back to morals. Legalising the immoral never makes it right or acceptable. It is common in our godless society to hear much about legalising evil so that it will not be driven underground.  The constant mantra is ‘bring it into the light of the day where it can be properly controlled.’ Now, pray tell, where has that got us? Nowhere! When you bring things into the light you give them energy, nutrients, and the ability to spread and corrupt. Rarely, if ever, are they controlled. Equally, legalising the element does not stop the underground trade. Pills are easily and cheaply available from a chemist, yet there is an underground trade. Sex is available at legalised brothels, yet there is an underground trade. Abortions are readily available; yet there is an underground trade. Why is this? Because the heart of this issue, as with the others, is morality.

Third, I cannot let the word “pragmatism” go without taking a stick to it. The pragmatic approach is to do what “works”. However, pragmatism has not proven to be a very good guide. It is currently destroying the Church. We no longer seek God’s blessing through obedience. We just do what works. Until recently, I was a member of a small, elderly congregation. I used to joke with them saying that, “I could fill the place if they would but let me place poker machines in the cry room and employ topless dancers to direct attention to the minister!” I mean, it would work! We would get a completely new demographic involved in our congregation. Yet, we must stop the frivolity and ask, “Is this the purpose of Christ’s bride?” Similarly, Hitler struck upon a wonderfully pragmatic answer to the question of his “Final Solution”. Anyone cheering for that one? Now, it may be that some will tell me to stop making silly arguments. After all, we know Hitler was a bad man. Yet is this not the sting in the tail. Hitler was indeed a bad man, but to say so is a moral judgement! Saying that Hitler was bad is not a statement based in pragmatism. It is a statement that moralism alone can make; more precisely, moralism as based in God’s word.

Therefore, if the author of the above news article wishes to be pragmatic then let us be helpful and suggest a few possibilities:

  • Let all women have tailor-made corks fitted; (Cheap. Simple. Readily available.)
  • Let all women with unwanted pregnancies be put to death. (Why should the baby alone pay? Also, there are statistics from America that show that recidivism is high. So this action should help drive the numbers down.)
  • Let all women, not interested in babies, stop having sex. (I know, it sounds moral, but it is also pragmatic. No sex. No pregnancy. No pregnancy. No need for abortion.)

What, no takers! I thought these to be very pragmatic solutions.

The simple fact is that “Health” is a moral issue. The simple fact is that some conditions can only be solved by morals. The simple fact is that “technology” and “breakthrough” cannot solve all conditions. The simple fact is that a little thing like “No!” can save you from a world of hurt and pain that no earthly physician can cure.

The only Physician that can cure all is Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Jesus cures by giving a new heart. Jesus cures by giving us a moral compass which is attuned to the Word of His Father. That compass directs in the right way and directs us away from backyard abortions and self-induced miscarriages. Such are simply not necessary when the right moral choice is made in the first place.

Proverbs 14:18: “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.”

Psalm 119:105: “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.”

A Battle Plan (Pt. 7)

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B. Please Note the Adjective: Yes, it’s a strange subtitle. Why is it there? Can you tell me? It is important to our discussion, believe it or not! Allow me to explain. The first reason is simply that I like adjectives and I want to save them. Adjectives describe things. Big house. Red dress. Boring writer! Oops, how did that get there? Anyway, moving on. Adjectives are under threat because of political correctness and wretched ‘equality’ laws. Try going to a police station in the “World of PC”, where adjectives are banned, to give a statement regarding a stolen item and the thief. “Hello officer, I would like to report a theft. My golden ring was stolen by a large white male, with dark hair. He escaped on a blue skateboard. He was wearing blue jeans with a white cotton embossed shirt.” Do you think that the felon would be quickly apprehended?

Back to topic. The second reason adjectives are important is that they build our knowledge and help our understanding. As the first example shows – and you thought I was being silly – our language and communication are impoverished when adjectives are removed. Without these descriptors, we are as the needle in the haystack – lost with little chance of being found.

Allow, please, an illustration which I hope will open the way to understanding. Modern Christians are very good at wrongly dividing the word of God. We have become adept at placing wedges where none should exist. Take ‘Spiritual Gifts’ as one example. What bothers me is the way in which we are made to choose a gift. “What is your gift?” is the commonly heard question. Again, such questions show a lack of understanding with regard to what the Scriptures teach. Let us turn to Galatians 5:22-23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Here, there are 9 fruits listed. Yes? No! There are 9 fruit listed, but they are the fruit – singular – of the Holy Spirit. If you are born again of the Spirit of God it is not yours to choose which gift you shall exhibit. On the contrary, it is yours, by the fact of regeneration, to exhibit all of these fruit.

Taking this lesson, think adjective and armour. Paul’s instruction (command) in both verses 11 and 13 is to “put on the full armour of God.” We are not just to “put on the armour” we are to put on the full armour! We are not to walk around the armoury in a quiet state of contemplation seeking some arcane clue as to which piece we should pick – the shiniest, the scariest, the piece that best matches our eyes! Such an exercise would be patently futile for we are to be arrayed in them all.

Understand this well – arrayed in them all! This is not the armoury of “Pick N Choose” where one gains “brownie points” for contemplation and thought. This is the King’s armoury where every soldier is under orders to be decked out with all the tackle available. God’s soldiers are to be skilled soldiers. They must be able to defend. They must be able to attack. They must be prepared.

Therefore, if we are to be considered as effective soldiers in Christ’s army; if we are to effect Christian Warfare, we must be kitted out in every piece of God’s armour. Not a piece. Not some pieces. Every piece; without exception!

As an illustration, it is common to hear some Christians described as a “prayer warrior”. This is a good term. Prayer is very much needed. However, if this is all that this warrior does; if this is their only piece of armour (? more later), can this be considered as faithfulness? Some will see this as judgemental or ungracious. It is not. It is nothing more than a challenge based in a Scriptural “ought”. Paul says “every piece”. The Apostle simply does not give us a choice. Therefore, no matter how noble any one piece of armour may be, we cannot rest contented with that one piece. We must strive to put on every piece. We must learn to like it and wear it as a second skin. These pieces must become as one with us.

It is only the “full” armour that offers the soldier the ability to fight and to win. Allow me to paraphrase and modernise. How long will the soldier last if he has his feet fitted with the holiest of sneakers, but has nothing else? He can only run from the enemy for so long before his sneakers blow out. Moreover, this is his only option. What else can he do but run? What of the soldier who has no sword? He can run into battle with a shield and mount some type of defence, but how does he retaliate? How does he strike down his enemy? After all, he can only absorb so many blows before his strength wanes and he becomes susceptible to his opponents sword tip. Then there is the soldier who runs into the fray naked but valiantly wielding his sword. He may well land some hefty blows and wreak momentary havoc. However, without any protection he is vulnerable. It will not be long before an arrow finds its mark. Similarly, every glancing blow will have some impact and will take its toll, precisely because there is no armour and no protection.

Consequently, brethren, we must take heed to the jots and tittles of Scripture – in this case an adjective. We must put on the whole armour of God. Not a piece can be missing. We must have the armour fully. In this alone will Christ our Lord be magnified. In this fullness will our stand be strong, uncompromising, and inspiring. It will be so because this alone is obedience.