Our True Defense

Analogizing spiritual defenses to the French Maginot Line, Scott Souder frames up the dangers of harboring a false sense of security. France trusted in the elaborate and sophisticated Maginot Line, yet it was irrelevant against the fast and nimble German blitzkrieg because it was not designed for the new German tactics. France’s self-confidence was its downfall. King Belshazzar banqueted, confident behind Babylon’s impenetrable physical walls while the Persians overcame his defenses. Ananias relied on his own deceitful mental tactics of self-defense when questioned by Paul, and was struck-down by God. The Israelites abused the Ark of the Covenant as a spiritual weapon of defense, without seeking God’s will, and were routed by the Philistines. Our adversary is a clever tactician. We should not grow confident in our spiritual defenses, but we must humbly seek God and His protection.

Keywords:
Acts 4:34 – Acts 5:11 – Daniel 5:6 – I Samuel 4 – Spiritual warfare – Self-reliance – Self-confidence