Armed and Dangerous
By Pastor Timothy Burdick
In our world today, there are many different voices, and I am afraid that sometimes we as Christians try to blend in too much. While we want to be liked by everyone, sometimes it just isn’t possible. We have allowed Christianity to become to feeling-oriented, rather than reversing it and basing how we feel on the Word of God
“Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. ‘I cannot go in these,’ he said to Saul, ‘because I am not used to them’" (1 Samuel 17: 38-39)
I see King Saul here as a type of the world, and like David, many times we allow the world to dress us in its armor. Also like David, many times we try and fasten on our swords over that armor. The sword of the Spirit will not fit when we dress in the manner of this world. But to make matters worse, unlike David, we get used to the world’s armor and continue to walk in it, trying to live the Christian life in our own strength.
One major piece of the world’s armor is unbelief. Sadly, many times we in the church become used to this state of mind, and let life’s challenges stop us from serving Christ altogether, or at least they slow us down in a major way.
So, what can we do about this state of affairs? The New Testament tells us clearly, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:10-17).
There you have it, don’t be passive and adapt to the patterns of the world. Make up your mind that you will serve Christ with a whole hearted commitment, becoming armed and dangerous in relation to the Kingdom of darkness.
Visit Pastor Timothy at New Vision Ministries website www.mynvm.org
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