One Who Puts On His Armor Should Not Boast Like One Who Takes It Off

You know that verse about not saying we’re gonna do this and go there and make business happen but rather say, “If God wills, we’ll do this or that”? They have taken that to the farthest level possible in Costa Rica, even outside the church. It is so common for everyone to say things like:

Si Dios quiere... (If God wills/wants)

Si Dios me presta vida... (If God lends me life)

Dios primero... (God first)

Once, a fellow worship teammate responded to the invitation to an upcoming rehearsal with “Si Dios me da aliento” - if God gives me breath. It feels like they’re almost saying, “if I make it to tomorrow, I will see you.” It felt…melodramatic. Just say, “I plan to be there,” right?

We can’t know people’s hearts, but there’s a way of speaking that reminds us to humble ourselves before the One who holds our days in His hands. Scripture is full of short, miss-able perspectives that teach us to live life and serve like He designed us.

I was pummeled as I read my daily scripture reading. I could’ve missed it, honestly. It’s so short and unassuming that it’s easy to overlook unless you’re reading slowly and asking for the Word to reveal Himself.  

“One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.” (1 Kings 20:11)

True victory is only proved when you have survived and can remove your armor. You were glad to be alive, strengthened by the triumph, and cherished your fellow soldiers who stood side-by-side with you. That’s when we can boast, not before the victory.

When we start off in worship ministry, we might be timid, nervous, and lack confidence, or we might be bold, brash, and arrogant. But those of us leading for decades know what it’s like to go to war and know what it’s like to come up against seemingly insurmountable obstacles - only to see the King fight for us as we simply stand still and trust Him.

It tends to mark you with humility. But the idea alone of humility lacks punch.

The practice of humbling ourselves, that’s what really counts.

“One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.”

What are ways we can practice humbling ourselves? There are many, but here are a few that come to mind.

Getting a coach

Every disciple needs someone(s) to disciple them. Part of that team is your pastor and elders at your church. But it’s helpful to supplement that with a leader who knows what it’s like to walk in your shoes and who can help you navigate tricky situations (both around you and from within you). That’s the value of a coach.

Having difficult conversations

It’s easy to avoid difficult conversations. Actually, it’s hard. It makes life much worse. Like the poem by Devon Brough:

Marriage is hard.

Divorce is hard.

Choose your hard.

Obesity is hard.

Being fit is hard.

Choose your hard.

Being in debt is hard.

Being financially disciplined is hard.

Choose your hard.

Communication is hard.

Not communicating is hard.

Choose your hard.

Life will never be easy.

It will always be hard.

But we can choose our hard.

Pick wisely.

Humbling ourselves usually calls us toward those we’re in conflict with.

Submitting to authority

I was on staff at a larger church and was responsible for worship and tech. We had rented the facility to another ministry that was holding a conference. My responsibility was to support them in tech. Our sound booth was upstairs, so I was running up and down stairs and sweating like a fat pig. The next day, I wore shorts to do this job, even though I could tell the visiting ministry was much more “business casual.”

Clear as yesterday, I can still remember being near the sound booth, and my pastor walks up to have a conversation with me. “Dave,” Lester began in his typical kind but firm voice. “There’s no dress code prescribed in the bible and we didn’t receive a word from the Lord that this is how we need to dress. But we’ve decided we need to wear pants, not shorts for these events. Can you honor that?”

And there it was. A choice was presented, and I needed to decide if I’d stay under the safety of the umbrella of authority or if I’d get huffy and demand my way. But the way he came to me, not demanding, but simply asking if I would honor his request taught me so much about walking IN authority and submitting TO authority. That was probably 2003, but it still shapes me. I love submitting to godly authority.

Growing personally

I’ll never stop ringing this bell. God calls us to steward what He has entrusted to us. The minute I stop growing, I know I’m hiding my talent, burying it in the hole of fear, busyness, or arrogance. Humbling myself calls me higher - into continual growth as a lifelong student.

How might God be calling us to humble ourselves?

-Dave Helmuth
(purchase my book, "Worship Fertilizer: (the first hundred)" HERE)

One Who Puts On His Armor Should Not Boast Like One Who Takes It Off (Nº 417)