How to Feel Secure

What is security? For many it is knowing that they will have enough to retire someday. For others it is knowing that they are safe inside their home. Being secure involves one key element: preparedness. You must be prepared. Paul explains in detail how we may provide for our own security in this spiritual battle.

We live in a world of increasing immorality. What was once considered rude and inappropriate behavior in public is now encouraged and celebrated. What would have caused a person to die from embarrassment is now the thing that causes them to gain great recognition and achievement. 

Our world is a mess. Many Christians have tried to make a difference in the political realm, yet nothing they do seems to make much of an impact on society? Perhaps it is because they are approaching this from the wrong angle. Christian author and theologian C.S. Lewis had some great wisdom that he shared about just this topic:

Hope is one of the theological virtues. This means that a continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought the most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you get earth 'thrown in': aim at earth and you will get neither. (Mere Christianity Book Three, Chapter 10)

Paul gave us instructions for focusing ourselves on the things of Heaven.

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. ¹² For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. ¹³ This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, ¹⁵ and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. ¹⁸ Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:10-18, HCSB)

Prepare for War

We are to wear the Belt of Truth buckled around our waist. Roman armor included a belt that was very much like those of today. It served one function: to hold the sword. In our analogy, the sword is the Word of God. There could be no better truth than that.

We are also to wear the Breastplate of Righteousness. A breastplate was worn over the shoulders and used to protect a soldier in close combat fighting. The Roman breastplate typically did not have a back to it, because Roman soldiers were trained to never retreat.

We are to prepare ourselves with Shoes of Readiness and Peace. A good boot will protect soldiers from many unseen obstacles as well as protect against extreme temperatures. Paul tells us that these shoes prepare us because of the gospel of peace. That probably seemed like a strange idea to people who were used to wars. Christ did not come to conquer the world with military might, but to bring “Peace and goodwill to all men” as the angels proclaimed at His birth.

The next piece of armor was the Shield of Faith used to block all of the attacks by the evil one. Most of the spiritual attacks against us will not come in close combat. They will come from those standing off at a distance shooting at us with fiery arrows meant to discourage and frustrate us. The shield, if used correctly was a trustworthy piece of equipment. If dropped or forgotten it became useless and the soldier’s fate rested with himself. We have faith in Jesus as our shield. We cannot rely on our own abilities in this battle.

The Helmet of Salvation is next. A helmet was essential in battle. It was possible for a soldier to recover from attacks that struck his body, but a blow to the head was almost certainly fatal. Paul uses the word salvation to indicate that the helmet is a source of total deliverance. It provides deliverance in every situation – spiritual, emotional, and physical – through Jesus.

The Sword of the Spirit is the last item usually listed. Paul explains that this sword is the Word of God. Remember, that the sword is held in the Belt of Truth. Hebrews 4:12 tells us about this sword: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” 

One part of the armor that I believe is often missed is what we are to do with our minds. We should have the mind of Christ. In verse 18 Paul tells us to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests, to always be alert and keep praying for each other.” I believe that this was mentioned last because it is the most important for us to remember. We often use prayer as a last resort in our battles, but it should be the first and last thing we do and we must continually do it.

With all of these things done, we will be secure and ready for battle. But God does not tell us to go rushing out into battle now that we are ready. In verse 13, Paul instructs us that after we have done everything we are to stand.

Stand Firm

God has already won the war and the battle belongs to the Lord. That is the reason that we are ordered to stand after putting on the armor. God did not tell us to go into the fray. Many people think that standing is much easier than going into battle, but that moment just before a battle begins is often the most terrifying moment. Even when fully safe and secure, standing side by side with fellow soldiers, when the enemy begins to advance many begin to have fears and doubts.

It is in that moment that we separate the men from the boys. Author J.M. Barrie created the character that never wanted to grow up. Peter Pan, also the title of his famous book, did not want to become an adult and be forced to deal with all the stress and struggles that came with the transformation. So, Peter found his way to Neverland where, along with his lost boys, he could remain a carefree child forever. But those who know the story also know that carefree was not all that it promised, for villainous Captain Hook constantly lurked around the corners, and then there was that tantalizing Wendy who stole Peter’s heart before he even knew what hit him.

Millions have seemed to follow in the footsteps of Peter Pan. People that no longer value the virtues of adulthood: especially responsibility, strong work ethic, self-dependence, selflessness, and community awareness. You don’t have far to look in our society before you see lost boys, and girls, running around everywhere. Grown men and women who want others to take care of their every need, lazy employees who could care less if they provide competent services for decent wages, people who constantly blame others for their problems, people who are more concerned about getting what they want when they want it regardless of who they inconvenience, and entire communities of strangers who are afraid to interact with each other. This infantile behavior has taken root in many of our churches as well.

Too many Christians would rather emulate Peter Pan than Peter the disciple of Christ. Too many Christians would rather act like lost boys than like those who were lost but now are found. Too many Christians never want to grow up and be responsible for following God’s commands to worship Him, follow Him, serve Him, and share about Him. We have become a kingdom of children in Christ rather than a kingdom of warriors for Christ. It is time to put down the pacifiers, quit complaining about life, and start suffering for the One who suffered for you. It is time to take off the pampers, put on the full armor of God, and stand firm among the ranks of those who are actively involved in the battle that rages around you. Make the decision to put away childish things and become an adult willing to help others do the same. When we take a stand for God He will do the work of changing the hearts of the people.

Where does this leave us? We must first realize that God is still in control, regardless of how desperate the times become. He has a plan and He is working His plan to completion. We also need to stay focused on the tasks that He has given to each of us. Jesus spent more time chastising the religious leaders than he did the political leaders. As God, He had authority over both groups, yet He was more concerned with changing hearts than changing governments.

We can be stronger in Christ when we put on the Armor of God and stand firm.