Black belt faith

December 15, 2006

By Gary Rogers

My grandson Karter is 3 years old, and he has no shortage of confidence. The other day I made the mistake of calling him a little boy. I said something like, “You’re a good little boy.” His quick response was, “I not no little boy; I big boy. I wear big boy underwear.”

Of course that would be up for debate, since Karter’s underwear is decorated with either Sponge Bob or the Incredibles.

For some reason, this little guy is also convinced he knows karate. I don’t know if it is because he can say the word “karate,” or if it’s because he has learned how to kick, but he thinks he is supremely tough.

The other day he stepped forward in front of his mother to protect her when some teenagers started scuffling in front of her. When she asked what he was doing, he said, “I protect you, Mommy. I know karate.”

He’s about 30 inches tall.

I chuckle at Karter, but let me tell you, in my spiritual walk I want an attitude like Karter. I want to be able to tell my flesh what to do. I want to bring my flesh into subjection to the will of Christ. When the tendencies of my sinful nature attempt to surface, through the power of God’s Spirit in me I want victory over my temper, victory over temptation, and victory over any type of action that would misrepresent my stand for Jesus Christ.

“I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:27, NIV).

It is not “big boy underwear,” but our spiritual armor that gives us confidence in knowing we are victorious through our God’s provision.

“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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:11-18, NKJV)

When my enemy attacks, I want to stand in the power of God’s equipping. Not proclaiming, “I know karate,” but proclaiming, “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world” (see 1 John 4:4). With this faith in action we can expect the enemy to flee. When we live with this spiritual attitude it doesn’t matter if we are 7 or 70. It doesn’t matter if we are 4 feet tall or 7 feet tall. It doesn’t matter what our physical characteristics — we are more than conquerors through Christ who strengthens us (see Romans 8:37,38).

Today be strong in the power of His might!

Gary Rogers is senior pastor of First Assembly of God in Coweta, Okla.