Living in borrowed armor.
Saul dressed David in his armor thinking that was the only way David would defeat Goliath.
Adam tried to convince God that Eve made him eat the apple.
Once he had the armor on, David knew right away that he could never win the battle wearing someone else’s armor.
God wasn’t fooled by Adam. He knew exactly who said and did what – regardless of who they were trying to hide behind.
Have you ever said “I could do this, but can’t because of ‘them’. Or, “If only THEY hadn’t done X, then I could do Y.”
Excuses as a form of borrowed armor
That the blame game of blaming others for not fulfilling your purpose and destiny. Those are excuses and they don’t fly with God.
Another form of excuse is to hid in someone elses armor. Trying to use their wealth, their prestige and honor as a way to get ahead. Or stealing someone’s idea and running with it as your own.
Those are examples of living in borrowed armor.
Not stepping into our calling
Another way of living in borrowed armor is when we don’t step into God’s calling for our life. I am a firm believer that we all have a calling. Our ultimate calling is to spread the Love of God. But, we have our jobs, careers and tasks that God calls us to do. The man who is the joyful janitor on the floor of the office building. The CEO who seeks GODspiration for the leading of their company. Those jobs or careers can be callings. I know. I’ve met janitor and more than once he ministered to me all the while doing his job in and with joy. He KNEW it was his calling.
But, when we allow others to live our life and engage IN life and live vicariously through them, we are living in Borrowed Armor.
Take for instance the person who works at the frame shop to be around artists. Secretly, she has a deep and unmet desire to be an artist. She is living in borrowed armor.
I could give a long list of examples of people who ‘work’ in jobs, to be close to something they ‘wish’ they could do. The editor who really wants to write his first book. The secretary at the Women’s shelter who wants to start her own life coaching business. Can you think of one? Maybe it’s you?
Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” That’s because when he makes your armor, it’s tailored exactly for you.
You don’t need to wear the armor that belongs to someone else. When we live authentically, He will give you YOU armor if you will step into it.
The Master Tailor will make it for you.
Kim Steadman
When she’s not sweeping dog hair, experimenting in the kitchen, or doodling on paper, Kim C. Steadman is writing. She is a self-proclaimed cubicle-nation escapee and now lives her childhood dreams. Kim is a freelance writer, speaker and ministers alongside her family in Grand Prairie, TX. The acreage she and her husband care-take includes woods, fields and critters — all of which weave themselves into her writings.
She is the author of The Creative Prayer Journal: A 21-Day Prayer Challenge to Experiencing Meaningful Conversations With God, The Diary of a Recycled Dog and The Creative Keepsake Journal series.
Kim loves coffee, chocolate, and TexMex food. She also enjoys DIY projects that don’t include power saws & hiking in the mountains. Connect with her on Facebook at KimSteadmanAuthor
2 Comments
Therese L Kay
I’ve been fascinated with David not wearing Saul’s armor all summer. Trying to be someone else instead of who God called us to be, also doesn’t fly with God. I also found it interesting that he didn’t use Saul’s weapons in battle, but went back to what he knew – a sling and stones. And by being the person God called him to be and using the tools God gave him to use, he was able to defeat Goliath. Let’s go fight the battle – as the person God called us to be!
Kim Steadman
That’s right! And I love that you pointed out about the weapons. There are so many spiritual lessons in this one event from the Bible I’m convinced I could study it every day for a month, and not even scratch the surface!