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June 20, 2026
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Category: Reflections Articles
Articles printed in the weekly bulletin of the West Side church of Christ
Pieces of Armor
Paul wrote in Ephesians 6, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (10-13).
What is the armor of God? Well, it certainly is not any type of physical armor. While Paul uses the metaphor, mentioning shields, swords and helmets, he is of course not talking about physical pieces of a literal suit of armor. This is because of the nature of the conflict waged between the child of God and the forces of evil we fight. We must stand against the wiles (devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants) of the devil. A literal shield or sword is of no use in such a conflict.
An Elder’s Demeanor
In 1 Timothy 3, the list of qualifications is given for an elder. Regarding his character, attributes such as: blameless, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, not given to wine, not greedy for money, gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous and humble are all listed. The list is similar in Titus 1. What they describe is an older man who is a mature Christian. One who has developed and practices the type of love and discernment that God requires of all who belong to Him.
There are other lists that are given in the New Testament which describe this kind of Christian. In Galatians 5, the apostle Paul gives us a list he defines as the fruit of the Spirit. The attributes are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Spiritual Growth
Peter calls upon Christians to grow spiritually. “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (2 Peter 1:5-7). He supplies motivation, “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:8). He also warns of a lack of growth, “For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins” (1:9).
As it is with physical growth, certain things must be present in order to grow spiritually.
Things to Learn from the Wise Man
The book of Proverbs teaches us a myriad of important lessons we need to heed. In doing so, we will both please God, and will enrich our lives and relationships. Here are a few things I have learned by reading the book of Proverbs. (Note: In order, from chapter 1 on, until I run out of space in this article).
True knowledge comes when we begin to fear God (1:7). It is important to listen to parental wisdom (1:8). Ignore evil people (1:11-19). Exercise discretion to avoid the pitfalls of evil (2:11-17). Sexual immorality leads to destruction (2:18-22).
Obeying righteousness leads to a long and peaceful life (3:1-8). Be receptive to God’s chastening, as it brings understanding (3:11-14). When you can help others, do so right then, don’t put it off (3:27-28). Don’t pick fights (3:30). God punishes wickedness and rewards righteousness (3:32-33). Don’t lie (4:24).
How Does It Look to You?
How the world views it:
“Yes, they had an affair. But, people fall in and out of love. It’s nobody’s fault, really. God wants His children to be happy. You shouldn’t judge them.”
“The most important thing in George’s life is making money. He works his fingers to the bone, and is always thinking about, and trying to get rich. That’s not for me, but to each their own. You do you, and I’ll do me.”
“Old Billy is the consummate gambler. And he is good at it! Be careful around him, or he will fleece you, and take all you’ve got. He’s a good old boy, and a lot of fun to be around. Just keep your hand on your wallet!”
That Which is Perfect
The thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians serves as a parenthetical discussion of the importance of love, within the greater context of spiritual gifts. In the twelfth chapter, Paul admonished the Corinthians not to turn their use of spiritual gifts into a contest. The gifts all emanate from the Holy Spirit, and He gives the gifts “to each one individually as He wills.” (11). Since this is so, no man should be seeking to elevate himself above another based upon the gift the Holy Spirit has given him. Nor should any Christian perceive his own gift to be insignificant or unneeded.
Paul ends the chapter with these questions, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way” (29-31).
So, what is that better way? It is the way of love. Tongues and prophecy without love do no good (cf. 13:1-2). Even charity or self-sacrifice, if love is not present will be of no profit (cf. 13:3).
The Preeminence of Christ
Colossians 1:9-18 expresses the preeminence of Jesus Christ, and our required response to Him. There is much to be found in the text, and we can examine it line by line. Remember, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (15).
We must seek to “be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (9). As Christ is the “head of the body” (18), His will is our mandate. We can’t know how to act without diligently applying ourself in study of His word (cf. 2 Timothy 2:15).
The Absence of Elders
God’s plan for local congregations included qualified men serving in a capacity of oversight over the group. These men are identified as “elders” (Acts 20:17), “overseers” (20:28), and “shepherds” (cf. 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3).
Early on, not every New Testament congregation had elders. On two different occasions, men were sent to various congregations to identify and “appoint” men to that position in the local churches.
Paul and Barnabas: “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed” (Acts 14:23).
Timothy: “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you” (Titus 1:5).
Joyful Expectations
Back in the early spring, there was so much uncertainty about the future. I truly thought that the COVID virus would impact our lives for only a short period of time. When we as a congregation began to talk about how to handle the circumstances, that was the question I was asking myself. How long? Three months? Six months? Never did I think we would be looking at over a year of limited social interaction, and compromises to ensure safe assembly. Some other congregations in other states and other places have yet to return to any semblance of a normal worship schedule.
The “I Am” Statements of Jesus
Interestingly, Jehovah revealed Himself with the use of the phrase, “I am” to Israel in Exodus 3. “Then Moses said to God, ‘Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they say to me, “What is His name?” what shall I say to them?’ And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you”’” (3:13-14).
Longsuffering
Longsuffering is an attribute that should be present in every Christian. Paul prayed that the Colossians, as a part of their worthy walk, would be strengthened that they might be longsuffering, and maintain their joy. It is needed for the Christian because of the inevitability of provocation as a result of the faith. Because the child of God is different and non-conforming, he will be mistreated. Longsuffering is self-restraint in the face of that provocation. It is typical to seek revenge or act with wrath and anger when mistreated. However, the longsuffering Christian does not hastily retaliate against those who are in conflict with him. “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).
Longsuffering is characterized by Paul in Galatians 5:22 as fruit of the Spirit of God. The Greek term used there (makrothumia) is defined by Thayer using words such as: “patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs.” These terms clearly indicate a characteristic attitude that should be present in every Christian. In our interactions with our fellow man, we truly should be slow to respond to provocation and sin committed against us.
War and Making War in the Church
Webster defines the word polemic – “An aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another. The art or practice of disputation or controversy.” Describing the etymology of the word, “When polemic was borrowed into English from French polemique in the mid-17th century, it referred (as it still can) to a type of hostile attack on someone’s ideas. The word traces back to Greek polemikos, which means “warlike” or “hostile” and in turn comes from the Greek noun polemos, meaning “war.”
This Greek noun polemos is used in James 4. “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:1-2).
The Blood of the Cross
God’s plan for redeeming man has been referred to as a scarlet thread that runs throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, the primary thrust of scripture is God’s effort to deal with the sin of man.
It is prophesied in Genesis 3:15 when Satan, in the guise of the serpent, was told by God, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
Why Do Some Christians Not Grow?
The need for growing spiritually is well established in the New Testament. Those who remain babes in Christ remain as vulnerable to spiritual dangers as their physical counterparts are to the temporal dangers of life. They are weak, and undiscerning, which make them easy fodder for the devil and his minions.
“For he who lacks these things [attributes of the spiritually mature] is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins” (2 Peter 1:9).
Knowing the importance of spiritual development and growth, it is disheartening when we witness a Christian who is stagnant spiritually. It happens far too often.
“You will know them by their fruits”
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:15-16).
Jesus affirmed a truth regarding false prophets (and false teachers) that many Christians have forgotten. It is not all about their motivation or heart, it is about their fruits! When people say, “He is a good man” despite the fact that he preaches a distorted gospel, the correct response is “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” (18).
