What’s Behind the Armor?

Here’s how the Bible describes King Ahab: “But Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, even more than any of the kings before him” (I Kings 16:30, NLT).

On his last day alive, Ahab rode onto a battlefield with a plan. To protect himself from his enemies, he entered the fray incognito. He was also well armored.

“An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. ‘Turn the horses and get me out of here!’ Ahab groaned to the driver of his chariot. ‘I’m badly wounded! ‘” (I Kings 22:34, NLT). The wicked king died before the day ended.

What matters most to God is what’s inside the heart of the person behind the armor.

Chinks in the Armor   

I’ve heard Christians say they put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17) every morning. That they pray their way through each piece in preparation for the day.

The Apostle Paul describes our armor as vitally important in our ongoing spiritual battles. But I’ve seen and heard some warriors say and do things that made me wonder. Are they as strongly devoted to being spiritually protected internally?

They remind me of Professor Marvel in the movie The Wizard of Oz. When Dorthy and friends finally reach the wizard, they cower at the smoke and fire and the fear-inducing image projected onto the wall. Then Dorthy’s dog Toto pulls back the curtain to reveal a feeble, old gentleman, who says into the voice-amplifier, “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.”

Some Christians project an outer image that’s not fully supported by who they are on the inside. Their warfare walk doesn’t always match their warfare talk. The chinks in their armor are openings vulnerable to the enemy.

Strong behind the armor: 5 powerful Traits

God told Samuel in I Samuel 16:7 (NKJV), “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Here are five qualities that should fortify the innermost character of the one behind the armor.

• Allegiance. In the era of knights, their prime purpose was to honor the desires of their king. For the Christian that devotion is to God and the principles of His written word. Our allegiance conforms to the essence of Psalm 119, found in verses like “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (verse 105, NLT) and “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (verse 11, ESV).
• Humility. Humility doesn’t boast. Humility promotes others ahead of self. Humility admits mistakes. Humility accepts correction. In the words of D. L. Moody, “Be humble or you’ll stumble.”
• Honesty. Honestly is so much more than not telling an outright lie. Implication isn’t honesty. By implying something but not actually stating it, you either cast yourself in a more positive light than you should or you cast a shadow over someone else. Flattery isn’t honesty. R. Kent Hughes says, “Flattery means saying to a person’s face what you would never say behind his or her back.”Honesty is being genuine.
• Kindness. Kindness includes offering respect to those in authority over you and dignity to those under your authority. Here’s an example of both. David honored the authority of his enemy, King Saul while fleeing from Saul’s attempts to kill him. David was persuaded that God had established Saul’s kingship and that only God could rescind it (I Samuel 26:8-10). David later showed great compassion to his friend Jonathan’s handicapped son Mephibosheth (II Samuel 9:6-7).
•  Responsibility. Responsibility gives its word and keeps it. Responsibility fulfills obligations. Responsibility keeps a clear conscience. In the book and film, To kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch tells his daughter, “Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man” and “Before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself.”

The Road Ahead:

1. Years ago I read the story of Ivanhoe. In the book, the Black Knight saves the day. For most of the tale, no one knew who wore the armor. Instead of boasting about who he was, he lived out the qualities others around him needed. Are you willing for your warfare talk not to exceed your warfare walk?
2. There’s an art museum in Florence, Italy full of paintings that are masterpieces from the  Renaissance period. Near the exit, there’s an empty frame. You can stand behind the frame so that your face is the picture. In Christianity, God’s masterpieces aren’t the frame, but what’s behind the frame—what’s inside the heart of the person behind the armor. Choose one of the five traits from the list above and pray for God to strengthen your heart in that way this week.

Further Fuel: Matthew 22:37; Ephesians 3:16; I Thessalonians 3:13.