Weapons of Protection

The hot topic in America right now is gun control. We have all read the arguments both pro and con I am sure. Many of us, like myself, believe that we should control the access to the guns, not the guns. I am not one that spouts off about my rights very often, but this is an area that I have been keeping a close eye on as it unfolds in the media.

We are absolutely within our constitutional rights to bear arms according to the second amendment. In Texas, we take that right very seriously.

HOWEVER...

The Lord is clear about Who and What our protection is.

A.  We have weapons (spiritual, not carnal).

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

3 - For though walking about in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
4 - For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 - casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

B.  We have armor (spiritual, not physical) to protect us against the fiery darts of the enemy.

Ephesians 6:12-18

12 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spirutual wickedness in high places.
13 - Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 - Stand therefore, having your loins gird about with truth, and having on the breastplace of righteousness;
15 - And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 - Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
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, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Would a soldier go into battle in Iraq without the proper body armor, weapons, other gear?  Absolutely Not!  Neither should we go through each day without our armor, weapons, and gear.  We should be always prepared with the gospel of truth and be ready to fight off the attacks of the enemy.  In fact 2 Timothy 4:2 says:

2 - Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 

That doesn't sound to me as though we are to sit idly by an watch what goes on around us or bury our heads in the sand, or to drop our weapons and not be ready an prepared for what the Lord would call us to do that day. 


C.  We have a fortress

 Psalm 18:2  2 -  Jehovah is my strength, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock; I will trust in Him; He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.

A fortress was used to barricade and protect the people and warriors from the attack of enemy forces.  A fortress was heavily defended and difficult to penetrate.  Our God is our fortress when we abide in Him. 

(See also Psalm 31:3, Psalm 71:3, Psalm 91:2, Psalm 144:2)

D.  We have a hiding place in times of danger

Psalm 17:8-9

8 - Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
9 - From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me.

We are safe and hidden from enemies when we are under the shadow of His wings.  Since we are seated in heavenly places with Christ (Ephesians 2:6), then we are hidden and protected from all principalities, powers, and against the rulers of the darkness.  We cannot be found by our enemies under His wings when we cry out for His protection.

E. We have a dwelling place

Psalm 91:1

1 - He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Our enemy is the spirit behind the people, according to the scriptures. 

(Ephesians 6: 12 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spirutual wickedness in high places.)

We must remember that we cannot allow people offend us for it is not really them that is speaking against us.  Even when physically threatened, we can usually stop a threat dead in its tracks, so to speak.

Proverbs 15:1 -

1 - A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 

We must keep our calm in situations that place us in harm's way.  Things may need to be handled slightly differently when approached by an assailant with a weapon, but even an assailant with a weapon can be disarmed through the use of the Word of God and understanding the assailant is a sinner and it is the sin (spirit) behind him or her that is driving the violence and anger. 

The answer is not to arm ourselves with physical weapons,  (though I do intend on purchasing a small handgun this year), the answer is to look to the One who has defeated our enemies through His life, death, and resurrection.