MBP 042: A Backpack Essential For Christian Leaders – A Holy Arsenal

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MINISTRY BACKPACK PODCAST EPISODE 42 SHOW NOTES

Summary: In today’s podcast, I talk about a “Backpack Essential” for Ministry: “A Holy Arsenal.”

TODAY’S SHOW IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

The Ministry Backpack Patreon Page

SOME HIGHLIGHTS AND LINKS FROM TODAY’S SHOW:

2 Corinthians 6:7c
7 by the word of truth,[a] by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,” (CSB)

The essential that I want to talk about today is: A Holy Arsenal.

In this passage, Paul says that “we have proven ourselves”through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left.”

The idea of having “weapons” is not just about “armor,” but it is the idea of “arms ” – being “armed for battle.”

This is a word picture that the apostle Paul uses a lot:

Ephesians 6:11-17: 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason 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 up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit — which is the word of God. — (CSB)

1 Thessalonians 5:7-8: 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation. — (CSB)

2 Corinthians 10:4-5: 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. — (CSB)
2 Corinthians 10:4-5: ⁴(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
⁵Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; – (KJV)

This passage, 2 Corinthians 6:7c, seems to refer to a condensed version of the armor that Paul references in other places. Grammatically a case could be made that he is talking about “tools” or “instruments,” but the considering the context and the other instances that Paul talks about this, the best understanding is that he is talking about “weapons.”

“FOR THE RIGHT HAND AND THE LEFT ” – The idea conveyed is that of offensive weapons (in the right hand) and defensive weapons (in the left). The image could be seen as the “Sword of the Spirit” (The Word of God) in the right, and the “Shield of Faith” (Faith) in the left.

“RIGHTEOUSNESS” – [dikaiosuné: righteousness, justice] It is a “justness” that comes from God – Not from our own ideas, preferences or agendas.

Paul speaks of “fighting the good fight” in 2 Timothy 4:7. He is not simply “itching for a fight, being a bully, or expressing bravado,” he is fighting a righteous fight; a just cause.

It’s not “My way or the highway,” but more, “The higher way is my way, and it’s clear to everyone around me.”

Having the Backpack Essential of a Holy Arsenal means that we are prepared to do battle with the full of armor of God, but particularly with your “Sword and Shield.” The strength of your conviction is from the Word of God [not just your opinion], and you advance and move forward, deflecting and blocking attacks, troubles and temptations with your strong faith, which is your shield.

So, Practically, What Does This Look Like?

1 – You Don’t Lead With A “Worldly” Arsenal.

When the battles come, you don’t fight them in a worldly way.
Instead of picking up weapons like retaliation, name-calling, anger, belittling, and lording your power and authority over people, you engage with Biblical truth and with faith.
Biblical truth like: James 1:19-20 – “My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. — (CSB)

You can’t use a holy arsenal in an unholy way. You can’t use a righteous weapon in an unrighteous way.

2 – You Understand And Know How To Fight Spiritual Warfare.

Every Christian leader needs to fully grasp that they are in a spiritual battle.
When Paul lists the “full armor of God” in Ephesians 6, he refers to the “breastplate of righteousness.”
Just as a soldier would have a breastplate to protect their heart, we need to know how to “guard our heart.”
Our enemy wants us to get off-course. He wants us to lead our ministry “in the flesh” and in a worldly or “God-empty” way.
Having a “Holy Arsenal” means that we know how to pray in faith and in a biblical way, so that we can quench Satan’s flaming arrows that are aimed at the “bull’s eye” of our heart.

SEE: “The Devil’s Parry: Getting Slightly Off-Course In Ministry”

3 – You Are Not A Pushover In Ministry.

You stand strong in the things that matter the most.
“Be Mean About The Vision: Preserving and Protecting What Matters” by Shawn Lovejoy.
You are not passive in your leadership.
You are assertive in your leadership. By this, I mean that you are moving in a direction. You don’t have a void of direction that puts you in neutral, causing you to end up going wherever you are pushed.
It doesn’t mean that you are not open to input, advice, and the insights of others, but it does mean that others can’t sway you from the most important things in your leadership – things like doctrine, vision, mission and purpose.

4 – There Is A Higher Purpose Behind Where You Lead People.

The causes that you lead people in are righteous causes.
There are no “frivolous” causes in your ministry.
You’re not “chasing windmills, Don Quixote.” You have a higher purpose.
Communicate the higher purpose behind all of the areas of the ministry you lead.

5 – You Know Which Battles To Fight.

You know which battles in your ministry that are worth fighting and that you want everyone to rally around.
People follow you to fight when you have built up trust with them because they have seen how you use these “weapons of righteousness” in your life.

You have weapons of righteousness and you know how to use them!

As a Christian leader, you need to fully understand that there are going to be battles ahead. The big question is, “What kind of weapons are you going to use to fight those battles?” Holy weapons or unholy weapons? Righteous weapons or unrighteous weapons?

Johnny & Kenny Leckie, possibly singing the song, “Weapons of Our Warfare,” back in the days when they were scrawny kids with lots of hair and fairly thick southern accents. Bill wisely opted to be off camera in this photo…

Join the conversation on this topic by commenting or leaving questions below. If you have a question that you’d like to have heard on the podcast, record your question, and upload it to Google Drive, Dropbox, Box or some other cloud based site and send the link to Hello@MinistryBackpack.com

Music Provided by “Artist Unknown” – https://artistunknown.bandcamp.com/
& “Rasputin1963”

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Johnny Leckie is a Christ Follower, Husband to Leona, and Father to Matthew, Melissa & Michael. He is also a Church Planting Pastor, Musician, Artist, & Blogger. He’s a big fan of Coffee & Bacon and is currently planting a Church in Aurora, Colorado called Compass Church. He is the founder of MinistryBackpack.com.