Stabbed in the Back (The Missing Piece of Armor)

 

 

 

WELCOME TO SWAT (Spiritual Warfare Assault Training) BASIC TRAINING!

 

RULE # 1: Learn about your defensive armor.

 

 

A. Kevlar Helmet (AKA Helmet of Salvation)

B. Kevlar Vest (AKA Breastplate of Righteousness)

C. Tactical Belt (AKA Belt of Truth)

D. Combat Boots (AKA Shoes of the Gospel of Peace)

E. Riot Shield (AKA Shield of Faith)

F. _________________________________

 

 

If I were to give you a list of certain items, could you tell me what piece was missing from the group? Let's give that a try: (clock) hour hand, minute hand and ________. Good Job. How about this one? (Outfit) Shoes, socks, Pants, and _________. Great, you're on a roll. Do you think that Paul may have been doing the same thing, possibly purposely omitting the "back armor" from the list in Ephesians six? That is the one element that seems to be missing from the armor. It is fairly obvious, but why? I know, I know, you probably have heard all of the commentaries before. They say that there is no mention of back armor because God doesn't expect us to run from the fight. That might be a good attempt to explain what some may believe to be an oversight. But is there any other possible reason for this seeming omission?

 

First, we have to get something straight. Paul may have been imagining a Roman soldier when he wrote about the armor of God, but we cannot be dogmatic about this with any amount of certainty. He could have envisaged several different types of armor. It could have been the Temple guard, the Roman soldier, or even the Israelite army under David. After all, Paul was a learned man. You know, he actually studied the Torah-their Bible in those days.

There are actually pieces of the armor of God that make much more sense in light of other militaries that he may have known about besides the Romans, but regardless of what military he was imagining, they all fought in similar fashion when it came to understanding why he wouldn't mention the back armor.

 

In order to understand this better, we have to know the common creed among those involved in combat situations (past and present; but more so in the past). Those who have done any study whatsoever on this topic know that it was shameful conduct to stab or shoot anyone in the back. This is made quite evident in some of the older western movies. If you shot someone in the back, you were perpetually labeled a coward! No one wanted that reputation, so they took great care to make sure that their enemy was always facing them when they went to battle-even in street shootouts. In fact, the medieval knights of old had the thinnest metals on the piece of armor that protected their back. They needed maneuverability and speed; therefore they concentrated the greatest protection on the anterior areas. Some armor outfits actually did not cover the back at all.

 

Secondly, when referring to combat battle lines, the common way wars have been fought until the 20^th century, we can quickly see why the back armor was not as important. Have you ever seen some of the old war movies that illustrate the concept of a battle line? When two armies were ready to battle they would face each other in lines of 50, 100 or even 200 men in a row. Then this line would duplicate behind the first line using an equal number of men, and so on, until they ran out of men to form the lines. In other words, everyone had someone else's back, except those who were on the front line. There is even a battle formation called the tortoise, so named because the men would take their shields, lift them over their heads and make one big impenetrable shell (like a turtle) out of about twenty or even fifty men. Everyone was expected to have each other's back. This gave them a great advantage. Wow, if only Christians could get that revelation!

 

You know, so many Christians have been hurt by other Christians-many of whom were stabbed in the "back" by another Christian. I know a recent story about a man who confessed and admitted his struggle with homosexuality with a pastor, only to later find out that the pastor spread the news throughout the church without his permission. Needless to say, the man left the church-and, unfortunately, wants nothing to do with Christ. (Note: I realize that this is just an excuse, because most people will recognize that the church is made up of faulty people and in no way represents Christ when they act in this fashion).

 

Our first lesson in spiritual warfare is to understand our armor. We have to understand what we have and why we have it, but we have to understand what we don't have and why we don't have it. We must stop "backbiting" and "backstabbing" other Christians. I personally know several people who are openly raking their pastor through the mud because of something they don't like-something that really isn't all that important (if this doesn't refer to you then you don't need to take offense. If you offended, find out why and correct it). This behavior is absolutely wrong. This does not exude the qualities of someone who is walking in love, the first of the fruits of the Spirit.  The armor of God not only protects us from demonic assaults, but it should also protect us from "US" and from the influences of the world. There are plenty of verses that tell us that we struggle against demonic forces, our own flesh and influences from the world (ex. I John 2:16.) After all, this is what happened to Adam and Eve, who failed miserably in their battle, and was later tried on Christ-whom, might I add, won handily.

 

No one should be apart of any army if they are going to defect to the other side by default by stabbing their "brothers" in arms in the back. There is no room for this in an army and their definitely is no room for this in a family. Let's learn from Paul's omission. Let's fight like those of old who actually had a code of fighting ethics. Let's take a stand against backbiting, slander, and defamation. No, the devil didn't cause your flat tire; you ran over a nail. Stop blaming the devil for everything. He gets too much credit. We can choose to become a person' back armor or we can stab them in their most vulnerable place, from an enemy they least expected.

 

You'll need to apply this piece before we can get to the classified stuff.

 

ENLIST!

 

...take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-

 

Written By Scott Smith

http://www.unpopulartruth.org/