Eph 6 : 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
So, I just for the first time watched the whole Lord Of The Rings , The Fellowship Of The Ring, movie…. I know,I know, it’s crazy! I tried twice before but fell asleep…
Now after watching it I am not quite sure how that happened other than my life was so crazy during those two times, that to focus on anything was very difficult.
While I was watching this moving film, my heart was touched by many aspects of which the characters portrayed. Obviously, the loyalty of Samwise, the conflict that most people had with the lure of the ring, the absolute hilarious Meriadoc and Pippin.
But, I am drawn this afternoon to a scene in which Boromir falls to the powerful temptation of the ring… If you have seen the movie you know which I speak of, if not, let me fill you in a little bit.
Frodo (the ring bearer) has wandered away from the group seeking a little solitude during the magnifincent burden that he carries. Boromir comes into the same clearing and immediatly a discussion about the ring takes place… this man who had sworn loyalty and his sword, is now bent on taking the ring into his possesion for the shear power that it yeilds! A struggle takes place in which the man whom we have learned to lean on for support becomes the enemy.. when he comes to his senses Frodo is gone and he understands he has failed, screaming out “What have I said? What have I done? Frodo, Frodo! Come back! A madness took me, but it has passed. Come back!”.
The ugly truth is that just as evil found a soft spot into this warrior’s armor, he does the same with us today. The enemy is always looking for an area that we have not shielded with faith but instead pride and arrogance, and then he will come in like a flood and seek to destroy us and others with us.
The next scene however is him taking up his sword and fighting off the Orcs which have assailed “the little ones” ( The Hobbitts)..
To say he fights with bravery is such an understatement! He takes three Orc arrows to the chest and is still swinging his sword, each time with more determination!
As the scene winds down we see him on the ground confessing his failure to Aragorn… this is when I began thinking about my fight in the Chrsitian life. I know well the times when I have lost the battle to temptation and have run with a fury towards destruction. If not for the grace of an Almighty God, I would never have seen the “madness” that had taken me and been able to take up my sword again and start fighting!
He fought to his death… he did not let the enemy beat him without leaving his mark on the Orcs.
I am late reading this, but right on God’s time table!! You are right, we have lots in common. I have been battling pride and arrogance all of my life, but especially since I got saved 8 years ago. What was already in the flesh turned to spiritual pride! God hates all pride, but especially pride in His saints. God loves me so much that He doesn’t want me to stay as I am, because it’s not good for me or Him. He has had to do much correcting of this rebellious child!!! But I am thankful that He loves me enough to correct me when I am wrong, so that I can learn from my mistakes, let Him pick me back up and put me on the right path to bringing Him glory, honor and praise that He so deserves and desires. I thank God for I John 2:1-2 which says, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our’s only, but for the sins of the whole world.” Thank you Jesus, my Advocate!!!