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.