Put on Your Armor
When I go backpacking, I have a list, and I’m meticulous. Every. Time.
Why be so meticulous?
Honestly, there is a lot on the line, especially when I take my two sons. For example, one time, a young man in our group didn’t pack enough calories for our 5-day, 40-mile trek across 7 of the Adirondack High Peaks. On day 4, when he opened his bear canister to see what food he had left, I heard him say, “Mmmm… My food trash smells so good.” We laughed, but in reality, a lack of preparation can put the whole group in jeopardy.
The fact is, once we get out in the woods, we can’t just drive to the local store and buy supplies we forgot. We either prepare and carry it in, or we have to survive without it.
Another time, in the early hours of the morning, my son and I and two friends were halfway into the 4-hour drive to the mountains when I heard my son say, “Dad, I forgot my boots.”
Ugh. I felt a flash of anger. “How could he be so irresponsible? This could ruin the whole trip.”
Then, I felt sadness and worry. “When will we be able to get back up here? Will we finish all the High Peaks before we move south? What will our friends think of our lack of preparedness?”
Thankfully, I had on my armor.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance… (Ephesians 6:10-18a, ESV)
Now, my son forgetting his boots may not seem like a big deal or even a situation that requires the armor of God. But our enemy would have loved to use my flesh (anger, embarrassment, annoyance, etc.) to drive a wedge of division between my son and me.
The truth was that God was not stressed by this, and everything would be ok. We had options. My son didn’t ruin anything.
How did the armor equip me in this situation?
The breastplate of righteousness dictated that my relationship with my son, and my right treatment of him, are far more important than getting to the summit of a mountain.
The gospel of peace demands that I keep the bigger picture in mind. My son already knew he put the trip at risk and felt bad about it. This was an opportunity for me to extend grace to him, just as God has extended grace to me so many times.
The shield of faith helped calm me by remembering that God is Sovereign and Good. He had a plan for our protection and provision. Those darts of negative thoughts were extinguished in the shield.
The helmet of salvation reminded me that the goal of God’s instruction is love and that my son is my brother in Christ. I’m called to preserve the unity of the Spirit Christ purchased.
The sword of the Spirit, the word of God, quickly reminded me that “man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires” (James 1:20).
With my armor in place, I could talk through our options. My son used his friend’s sneakers for the first day. Our plan already included driving to another trailhead for days two and three, and, prior to our trip, I had looked at a boot store a few miles away from the trailhead, just in case. Wouldn’t you know, we found a great pair of boots at 30% off, and he still wears them five years later!
But here is a key to remember. The time to don your armor is not in the battle when the fiery darts begin flying. The best time to put on your armor is before the enemy attacks.
My daughter recently heard someone say that Christians who only wear the helmet of salvation without the rest of the armor are spiritually ‘streaking!’
Dear Saints, let’s put on the full armor. Don’t wait until you’re in the battle to put the pieces on!
As Richard Foster says in Streams of Living Water, “in our training we undertake activities of body, mind, and spirit that in time will build spiritual resources within us to act appropriately when the situation demands it. As athletes of God, we plan a regimen of spiritual Disciplines that will stimulate our growth in grace.” (p. 95)