“Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off” (1 Kings 20:11 NKJ).
The one who takes his armor off is the tried, tested, seasoned veteran who has been in battle and lived to tell about it. He has learned to survive. He understands his opponent. He knows the stratagems, designs, ruses, and cunning of the enemy. He has also found from his battle experiences that as tough as his adversary may be, he is vulnerable and can be defeated.
The one taking off the armor has a victory to report. He has earned the respect of his fellow soldiers by helping the cause of truth to gain new footholds and win new ground. He could write the manual of fighting and winning.
He also keeps the victory in right perspective. He knows all triumph is a result of teamwork. A true hero wisely recognizes that victory is always the fruit of combined effort. He takes the armor off as a real winner, humbly grateful to be alive.
The one who puts on the armor (for the time) is a rookie. Inexperienced, untested, unproven, full of enthusiasm, and even a little conceited: “Let me at ’em; just wait till I get into combat, I’ll show ’em a thing or two.” These are invariably the words of the one putting on the armor.
Such bravado is rarely heard issuing from the mouth of the veteran. It is typical of the untried youth full of his own eagerness and supposed prowess. Soon enough his boasting will be replaced by a more sober, mature viewpoint. The one who takes off the armor has a different attitude from the one who puts it on.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.