Third, I should possess.
Satan fires flaming arrows at us daily. He attacks through people, events, thoughts, and emotionsampmdashdoubt, anxiety, fear, hatred, anger, depression, discouragement, despair, pleasure, addiction, obsession, violence, and more. Faith is the shield that prevents this fire from consuming us. We must continually hold onto the belief that God chose us, cares for us now, and guides us.
Next is the helmet of salvation. When we view the world through the lens of salvation#039s values and interpret all things through the lens of redemptive history, our lives can be protected from all of Satan#039s attacks.
Finally, we are told to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The only weapon we have to counterattack Satan, who attacks us, is the word of God. Paul urges us to take up the shield of faith, the sword of the Word, and the helmet of salvation right now. Yet we often forget the state of war and say, Later. Satan targets precisely this moment. Therefore, right now, when we hear the Word, we must immediately! take up the shield and sword, put on the helmet, and don the full armor of God.
Today#039s talk about soldiers and full armor reminded me of the military. I enlisted as an instructor at the Air Force Academy. During the four-month training, I thought, Since I#039m here to teach, they#039ll surely let me study, and brought a bag full of books. From day one, I caught the instructor#039s eye. During individual combat drills, even after watching the instructor#039s demonstration, I fumbled around. For the first time in my life, I was called an idiot. I was so furious I glared at the instructor, only to get punished even more.
Time passed, and finally, on the day I was supposed to leave, I was thinking, Freedom at last! when the First Battle of Yeonpyeong broke out. It was an unbelievable turn of events, leaving me with no idea when I#039d actually be discharged. Two weeks later, on the real final day, while packing my things, I looked at my combat boots. Seeing them reminded me of my miserable life, where I hadn#039t even read a single book, and I threw the boots into the trash. Immediately, the instructor called me out. I was made to put those boots in my mouth, received a severe punishment, and then left the camp.
Looking back now, those four months were God#039s nurturing for me, and He even extended my time by two weeks. Yet I wasted that time in resentment, complaint, and feeling wronged. I believed my thoughts were truth and my judgments were righteousness. My comfort was my peace. Instead of the shield of faith and the sword of the Word, I wielded the shield of pride and the sword of knowledge. Instead of the helmet of salvation, the helmet of praise and recognition was my armor.
Having squandered the time God gave me, I entered marriageampmdashlife#039s true testing groundampmdashand could think only of divorce and suicide. That I, such a person, met our community and am becoming part of The Whole Christ is such a blessing and God#039s grace.
We each have our own armor. But this armor cannot withstand Satan#039s attacks. The only true armor we should put on is the full armor of God, given to us as a gift. I bless you in the name of the Lord that you may recognize your stubbornness before the Word, submit in obedience, and fit yourselves with God#039s full armor to withstand every attack from Satan seeking to overthrow us.
