The Fighting Fool
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 ESV
Whole armor – “Anyone who wants to fight his demons with his own weapons is a fool.”[1] Maybe Nouwen’s comment is all we need to think about today. How many of us attempt to fight our own demons with effort, technique and motivation from ourselves? How’s that working out? In my experience, the AA boys are right. Self-reliance is a sure formula for failure. “I admit that I am powerless” is the necessary precondition for recovery because it puts away the foolish arrogance of believing that I can rescue myself. Not only am I not God, I am not human either. By the time I get to “I admit that I am powerless,” I have piled up a great deal of non-human behavioral evidence. I am miles away from being in God’s image. I am nothing more than the uncontrollable mess of my desires. Without the whole armor, I will die as the foolish warrior who went to battle with a makeshift shield.
Once again the combination that makes up this word reveals important elements. Here the word is panoplia, a combination of pas (“all, full, thorough”) and hoplon (“tool, instrument, weapon”). The hoplite warrior was a mercenary soldier in Athens, hired to do battle for the nobility. Hoplites were known for their strength and courage. The term originates from the word used to describe their shields. Paul loves military terms. Panoplia is a good one. Everything necessary for battle. But what is the full armor of God? Yes, if we keep reading Paul explains allegorically the spiritual equivalent of each piece of the soldier’s armor. But perhaps we should take a moment to consider the entire idea before we concentrate on the parts.
Think about the larger implications. The necessity of putting on the whole armor implies that we are at war. It also implies that the enemy can attack any part of us. We must protect it all. I would venture to say that most of us don’t think of life as battle. We seek comfort, security and peace. In fact, we are often willing to forego arming ourselves in order to stay comfortable. We don’t have a soldier’s mentality. Our lives of luxury carefully crafted in the West are technologically removed from the reality of battle that is a daily experience in most of the world. As a result, we are soft and vulnerable. When difficulties come, when tests occur, when temptations mount, too often we fall. We have not taken seriously the training needed to be hoplite warriors. We have rested comfortably knowing that the whole armor of God is theoretically available, but we haven’t tried it on for size nor have we fitted it for battle.
Perhaps a brief inspection cements the point. How many of us have truly committed ourselves to knowing the Word? How many of us rely on the “experts” to tell us what God says rather than digging for ourselves? How many of us want the quick and ready answer rather than the perplexing and demanding question? How many of us rely on our theology instead of our devotion? And how many of us simply ignore the battle instructions God gave His people in the wilderness?
Topical Index: whole armor, panoplia, Ephesians 6:11
“We don’t have a soldier’s mentality.”
Speaking of soldiers
I was just finishing reading today’s Word when my Netflix Instant Queue popped up
I was going to watch the next episode of Breaking Bad in the series
The DVD covers of the following movies appeared on the screen
Memento, Drive, Shooter, HeadHunters, Hombre, JarHead, Electric Mist, and Breaking Bad
In the Electric Mist, Tommy Lee Jones is an old AA guy and sheriff in a southern town
In the opening scene, we see his back as he sits down at a bar with glass of whiskey on the rocks
We hear his deep voice announce that he is an alcoholic and that every once in a while
He thinks about having a drink
Then from the rear we see his hand push the drink away and hear him say
“But I never do”
Turns out he is in AA, a man of the law, and very tough on crime
Hi Mikie! I’ve been thinking about the Incredible Hulk lately. Why do you think there was not an Incredible Hulktress? i’m thinking about flipping the script. He needs somebody to smack him up, flip him and rub him down, LOL!!!!!! 🙂
i’m going to get around to reading the TW’s soon. So Skip won’t fuss at me. Hi Skip!!
plain ole me
Hi Jeanette,
Sounds good to me, but I don’t think it would be a marketing success with American males 🙂
Speaking of the movie JarHead above makes me think of the young American marines
When we were 13 -14 year old surfers down in Oceanside, we would yell “JarHead”
Then the new recruits from Camp Pendleton would chase us around town
Luckily they never caught us; me and Michael D. Hallmark 🙂
But the other day I was thinking that in the movies marines say “Hua” to one another
And was wondering if that had something to do with Yes Hua?
Hi Jeanette,
Just wondering why you bother to post if you don’t bother to read the teaching for the day.
It kinda feels like a “hit and run” approach to me.
Any thoughts??
Just curious.
Hi Judi Judi Judi!! You know, most times I do scan in to see what was written afterwards (just the facts please) and my posts do seem to be in order. Thank you Ruach Ha Kadesh!
“hit and run” approach.
Remember the cartoon The Roadrunner? That wascaly coyote. The Roadrunner did get caught once though in a twisted version. I don’t like twisted versions. I spin, weave, loop, bob, etc. Just so you know, I’m gonna read TW for today some time later today.
Today is definitely a day for jam.
Floating like a butterfly, stinging like a bee,
me
This is a very important topic, as our whole spiritual walk depends so much whether we have our armour on.
I found one of the best, if not amazing, books on the topic of our armour is The Christian in Complete Armour – William Gurnall
Charles Spurgeon wrote: ” Gurnall’s work is peerless and priceless; every line is full of wisdom …
The whole book has been preached over scores of times and is, in our judgment, the best thought-breeder in all our library.” First published in 1655, that’s over 350 years ago.
I have the book on one of my websites. Here’s the URL:
http://walkinthelight.ca/the%20christian%20in%20complete%20armour.htm
As Hebrews 13:8 aptly points out: “Yahshuah Messiah the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Knowing this, it’s not hard to discern what Yahshuah (YHWH will save) would affirm today;
Hmm David,
That’s an interesting point, my Bible refers to God as Yahweh
Hmmm
Now that has got me thinking that my best friends up here in the Bay Area
Are Michelle and David Woods, whom I met at UCSD, while living in Del Mar
And Michael D. Hallmark has never even met them
thank you David.. here is a link to this wonderful book as a “PDF”
http://www.calvarywf.org/sites/default/files/resources/The_Whole_Armour_Of_God_Part_One_by_William_Gurnall.pdf
Looking forward to reading this. Thank you Brother Carl!
You’re so right, Skip. Danger lurks.
If we are truly following Jesus, we truly know Him personally, we truly know His Word deeply,
and we know that even His life here on the planet was not necessarily just a walk in the park.
As we allow Him to reveal to us the truth in all its aspects, as He graciously is willing to do
with each of us personally, we begin to see by our direct experience in living out His Word just
what this world is really all about. As you say, it’s a war zone filled with people conning themselves
to believe it isn’t.
If we’re not steeped in Him and His Word, we’re making our way through hear say. Beware!
Yes, His Holy Spirit is within us, but we need His armor surrounding us, too. Why?
Because He says so!
Who knows this world better than the One who created it? Listen to Him.
Satan and his demons are very real . . . and the very real way (and ONLY way)
to protect ourselves is to KNOW Jesus and follow EVERY Word He says.
“we truly know Him personally”
Hi Rich,
I think I know what you mean but, literally speaking, we do not know Jesus personally, do we?
I have a very valuable personal experience of Paul Newman in Hombre, he reminds me of Jesus.
But I have never met “the Man” in person, so I don’t know him personally.
Michael, I Peter 1.8 reminds us and enjoins us: ~ Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see Him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory ~
(1 Peter 1.8)
I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve never laid my eyes on the LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ.- and yet.. I do know Him “by faith.” There are certain things I do know about Him and there are also specific events and circumstances in my life in which I also know- it was Him who “delivered me” or saved me- (yes, physically!) And not only physically, but spiritually, mentally, financially, emotionally- there are many ways to “know Christ!” – but the biggest and best way to know Him is through the words He (the incarnate word) has spoken. We know Him best through His never-failing, life-imparting words- the sure promises of the King of Heaven and of the LORD of this earth. He has provided a way (Himself) of knowing Him intricately and intimately, but it all starts with “you.” Not you only, but this is directed towards “whosoever will.” I just happen to be (it was God who did this!) one of the “whosoever wills!” This is a relationship, a one-on-one very personal relationship and in every relationship on earth- there is one who initiates and one who responds. God started this when He reached out to me in love and I responded to Him with my “Yes, LORD.” He said “come unto Me”- and what was my (right) response to His invitation? I said Yes. The same thing my wife said when I invited her to share her life with me and to be my awfully, er.. lawfully wedded wife. She said “yes” to me, I said “yes” to her and here we are three decades later. God initiates, we respond. It is in “doing” that we are blessed. God says “if you will confess with your mouth- the LORD Jesus Christ..” What do I do? “I confess with my mouth the LORD Jesus Christ..”- and believe in your heart, God has raised Him from the dead.. What do I do? I believe in my heart that God has raised Him from the dead! – What does this mean? It means He is no longer dead- but fully alive and ruling and reigning in the hearts of those who belong to Him and to those He has given a new nature and name. There has been in me a major change in life-direction. Whereas once upon a time.. (this is a true story) I ran toward sin, now, because of HIm- I hate sin and run from it! Sin is (excuse me fellow sinners) “mondo” stupid and it borders on insanity.
Upon further study of the scriptures we now see Christ as far more than Savior only- even though He did “come to save His people from their sins, – there is more.. – so “much more!”
What’s in a Name? lol! In His case, and in this case- everything.. Listen to some of His names, -every one of them applies to Christ the Anointed. Savior. Redeemer. Shepherd. Prophet. Priest. King. Lamb of God and Friend of sinners (perhaps my favorite name of all!)
I think this statement by Rabbi Shaul (formerly known as Saul) sums it up for us neatly: ~ ~ This is a faithful saying and worthy of full (universal) acceptance (by the Jews and Gentiles-“both”- and sinners all!) that Christ Jesus is come into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief! ~ (1 Timothy 1.15)
Hi Carl,
I understand that you have a personal experience of, and faith in, Jesus the “spirit/word”
But my point is that you have never met him in person so he could verify you view of him
I think this statement by Rabbi Shaul (formerly known as Saul) sums it up for us neatly: ~ ~ This is a faithful saying and worthy of full (universal) acceptance (by the Jews and Gentiles-”both”- and sinners all!) that Christ Jesus is come into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief! ~ (1 Timothy 1.15
Hi Carl,
I think current scholarship doubts that the letter to Timothy is really from Paul
Michael,
I believe Jesus came to this earth to reveal Himself and establish the fact that each of us can
know Him.
In John 10:14 He said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know Me.”
Paul in his desire to reveal his relationship with the Lord said:
“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
And,
“I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection . . .”
And,
“because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I
have entrusted to Him for that day.”
I know that I know that I know Him!!! And that’s VERY personal.
I know my sheep and my sheep know Me
Hi Rich,
In English, I’m pretty sure that when we say that we know someone personally
It means we have met them in person (bodily form, not on the phone, for example)
Hi Rich,
Hopefully I can get to know Him more than I do now, that what I have now is not as intimate as it gets, that there is more room for my knowledge of Him to grow.
It’s not such a bad thing for us to say ‘I know You, help me know You more’ – like Adam ‘knew’ Eve.
Even Paul wrote ‘ I want to know Christ…’ Implying there was more.
I’m sure that those who know Him with that depth of intimacy would also ‘only do what they see the Father doing’.
(And how do we know that we know Him?1Jn2:3 – more work to be done on the answer to that one!)
Andy, In that glorious chapter 9 of the book of Mark, in v.17-24, a father brings his son to Jesus, and tells him that his son has a dumb spirit, but that his disciples could not drive it out, and asked Jesus to drive or cast it out. (depends on the translation you are reading). Please read all the above verse and zero in on v.24: in the Amplified it reads: “At once the father of the boy gave (an eager piercing cry, inarticulate ) cry with tears, and he said, Lord, I believe! Help my weakness of faith!
V.24 in the NIV, reads, ” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I DO BELIEVE; HELP ME OVERCOME MY UNBELIEF!” —capital letters used for emphasis–
I am now an old woman, an octogenarian, I grew up in a home where the entire Bible was studied and loved, and for most of my days I have sought the scriptures, been in churches or one on one ministery, raised a large family, been a teacher in public and Christian schools, (the past 60 years with the same husband-who still continues on in much critical illness for the past five months–God just keeps lifiting him up to live, but trauma almost daily–one more today). And with all those years of being so blessed with HIS Divine Love, filled & immersed with His Holy Spirit, walking at times through truly beautiful miracles, there are times that I still must go back to the father of the son above in the book of Mark, and say to the Lord, ” Truly, Lord I do believe, and state some of the things He has done, but Lord right now, I so need YOU to help my unbelief!” Please do not let be walk away from you now! I want to continue on with You God, and state anew my personal dogma to Him! Peace will come, and I will be back on track until the next major trauma between life and death hits our home–as stated it comes often now in the older years. Thanks for all read this and take note. I write in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Son of God , and made known to us through the power of the Holy Spirit. LaVaye Billings
Skip,
Would you make a distinction in the battle for a new born babe who hasn’t made it to Sinai yet vs someone who has crossed over ‘Jordan’ to fight for the Land?
A serious topic indeed.
Shalom,
Alan
~ (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ ~
(2 Corinthians 10.4,5)
~ He hath said ~ ( Hebrews 13:5 )
If we can only grasp these words by faith, we have an all-conquering weapon in our hand. What doubt will not be slain by this two-edged sword? What fear is there which shall not fall smitten with a deadly wound before this arrow from the bow of God’s covenant? Will not the distresses of life and the pangs of death; will not the corruptions within, and the snares without; will not the trials from above, and the temptations from beneath, all seem but light afflictions, when we can hide ourselves beneath the bulwark of “He hath said”? Yes; whether for delight in our quietude, or for strength in our conflict, “He hath said” must be our daily resort. And this may teach us the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore you miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the door, and you might be free; but if you will not look for it, you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty is so near at hand. There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopoeia of Scripture, and you may yet continue sick unless you will examine and search the Scriptures to discover what “He hath said.” Should you not, besides reading the Bible, store your memories richly with the promises of God? You can recollect the sayings of great men; you treasure up the verses of renowned poets; ought you not to be profound in your knowledge of the words of God, so that you may be able to quote them readily when you would solve a difficulty, or overthrow a doubt? Since “He hath said” is the source of all wisdom, and the fountain of all comfort, let it dwell in you richly, as “A well of water, springing up unto everlasting life.” So shall you grow healthy, strong, and happy in the divine life. – (Charles Haddon Spurgeon )
~ Put on the helmet of salvation and grasp the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God ~ (Ephesians 6.17)
Isaiah 59:17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. I have been taught that more than likely Paul was thinking about the High Priests garments in Exodus 28. We should be like a Priest.
Isaiah 59:17
Hi Theresa,
I opened my Bible to look up Isaiah 59:17 and it opened to Isaiah 17:9
Where I found sections on two Oracles
– Oracle on Moab
– Oracle on Damascus
It must be too early in the morning for me Michael. I have no idea what you are talking about? I am speaking about the armor of God.
Put on the whole armor of God
I am speaking about the armor of God
Hi Theresa,
Me too, the armor of God is a form of protection
In my view, the word of God can be found in Hebrew letters
Some people believe that Jesus is their savior
Oracles are a person or agent considered to be a source
Of wise counsel or prophetic predictions
Matthew declares that Jesus is the Messiah ben David
Theresa, loved your comment above to Michael. Michael comes out with some unusual things, and for all the years that Skip has been doing Today’s Word, I have marveled over some diverse things that Michael writes, but have learned things that I would not have read anywhere but here. So he is one of the “crown jewels”–lots of knowledge–and has such a kind and sweet spirit, he knows how to disagree with someone as well as anyone that this very elderly lady has ever met! Go Michael Go! sincerely, LaVaye Billings
Thank you LaVaye, you are very kind!
My memory is not very good, but I can remember your first post
Which was a long time ago 🙂
Hi Michael,
Here’s my final submission. (And thanks, Carl, for your spot on comments.)
In Rev. 3:20 God says to each of us: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come to him and dine
with him, and he with Me.”
As Carl points out, one of us has to iniate and the other responds. That’s
how personal relationships happen. In this scripture, don’t you think God
is opening up to you, personally, and assuring you that He personally
will join you at the table?
And you? Have you responded and opened the door? Personal relationships
only unfold through an open door.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e9CkhBb18E
don’t you think God
is opening up to you, personally,
and assuring you that He personally
will join you at the table?
Hi Rich,
I think that God opens up to me personally, but not in person, because He is by definition nothing
He speaks to Moses personally, but through the medium of the burning bush (Heat and Light)
In my view, He speaks to us in systems of signs, which can take many forms
Hebrew, English, Hindu, nature, culture, literature, philosophy, music, art, movies, science, math, etc
One of the most intense spiritual experiences in my life occurred while listening to the Doors
With Jim Morrison singing “Break on through to the Other side”
and Jesus Christ, (Yeshua the Messiah) is the Door! (John 10.9)
As we “study the scriptures” (and we are all encouraged to do so) we “discover” our Bible has one Hero.
Looking for “proof?” The proof is in the text.
(as is written..)
In Genesis He’s the Seed of the Woman
In Exodus He’s our Passover Lamb
In Leviticus He’s Our High Priest
In Numbers He’s our Cloud by Day, and Our Pillar of Fire by night
In Deuteronomy He’s the Prophet like unto Moses
In Joshua He’s the Captain of our Salvation
In Judges our Judge and Lawgiver
In Ruth He’s our Kinsman Redeemer
In Samuel He’s a Trusted Prophet
In Kings & Chronicles He’s our Reigning King
In Ezra He’s our Faithful Scribe
In Nehemiah He is the Re-builder of the broken down walls of our lives
In Esther He’s our Mordecai
In Job He’s our Dayspring from on High
In Psalms He’s Our Shepherd
In Proverbs & Ecclesiastes He’s Our Wisdom
In the Song of Solomon He’s the Lover of our soul
In Isaiah He is our Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah He’s the Righteous Branch
In Lamentations He’s the Weeping Prophet
In Ezekiel He is that wonderful four-faced man
In Daniel He’s the fourth man in the fiery furnace
In Hosea He’s the Faithful Husband married to the backsliding bride
In Joel He’s the Baptizer of the Holy Ghost
In Amos He’s our Burden Bearer
In Obadiah He comes mighty to save
In Jonah He’s our Resurrection Hope
In Micah He’s the Babe born in Bethlehem
In Nahum He’s the Avenger of the Lord’s Elect
In Habakkuk He’s God’s Evangelist
In Zephaniah He’s Our Savior
In Haggai He’s the Restorer of God’s Lost Heritage
In Zechariah He’s the Fountain Opened for Uncleanness
In Malachi He’s the Son of Righteousness rising with healing in His wings!
He’s Abel’s Sacrifice
Noah’s Rainbow
Abraham’s Ram
Isaac’s Well
He’s Jacob’s Ladder
Moses’ Rod
David’s Sling
The Bright and Morning Star
The Lilly of the Valley
Fairest of ten thousand
the Rose of Sharon
the Honey in the Rock
The Desire of the Nations
He’s the My Wonderful Counselor
My Everlasting father, Mighty God
Prince of peace! And the Government of my life and your life rests on His Shoulders
He is Yeshua Ha Meshiach, The Son of The living God! His Name is Jesus
This is His Book, His-story written all about Him and completely for His glory!
~ Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! ~ (Psalm 150.6)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6wL1IvMuWo
How thankful I am for the protection that God gives us! How can we face this world without the protection of an armor? As a disabled woman, I learned early about the words that can hurt and the thoughts that can lead to despair. Over and over, the Word protected me, it helped me overcome fear, it gave me comfort, it gave me strength in my weakness. From having surgery and being awake, to raising teenagers, to being married, I need God to protect me from the flaming arrows of the enemy. Even ordinary days can get me down, and the word of God shields me from thinking that God is not a good God and that he does not love me. I think having the armor of God is better than all the prescriptions and medications that can be taken for the words and thoughts and emotions that come at us.