Iron Man and Our Spiritual Suit of Armor
5/8/2008
’ll get right to the point…Iron Man was Awesome! If you’re thinking about waiting for it to come out on DVD, don’t. Recently my wife and I took several teens to Ruby Tuesday’s for lunch and then to the movies after their hard work this morning as volunteers for a local church festival. As I sat on the edge of my seat I thought how cool it would be to have my own suit like Iron Man’s. I’d be able to fly at supersonic speeds and have superhuman strength.
So who is Iron Man? Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is the CEO of Stark Industries which produces advance weapon systems for the U.S. military. Tony flies to Afghanistan to demonstrate a new weapons test to the United States Air Force. On his way back to his plane, his convoy is attacked by terrorists, and Tony is wounded by a Stark Industries missile. Tony is captured and held hostage in a cave with Yinsen (Shaun Toub), a doctor who saves his life. When Tony Stark is kidnapped by terrorists he’s forced to reproduce the new destructive Jericho missile he was demonstrating from parts of other weapons. Instead, Tony decides to build a suit of armor. The suit gives Tony the strength and protection to be able to escape the terrorists. Back in America, Tony builds a better suit of armor which gives him superhuman strength with the ability to fly. With the help of his personal assistant Pepper Potts and Air Force Lieut. Colonel Jim Rhodes, Tony vows to protect the world as Iron Man.
Did you know that each of us has been equipped with our own suit of armor? When we put our faith in Christ alone we’re equipped with a supernatural suit of armor that gives us superhuman spiritual strength to protect us and help us fight against spiritual warfare.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. – Ephesians 6:11-13
Satan loves to trick you and I into believing spiritual warfare is about the people in our lives. Like that annoying brother or sister who nags you, the teacher handing out loads of homework, or your parents grounding you for something you’ve done wrong. Spiritual warfare is NOT about people, it’s about Satan and his demons. Spiritual warfare, Satan and his schemes are real. In order for you and I to battle spiritual warfare we need to follow Ephesians 6:11 and put on our spiritual Iron Man suit. In Ephesians 6:10-13 God promises to give us the power we need to say “no” to the devil’s temptations, protect us from his schemes, and give us the superhuman spiritual strength to stand our ground. It takes a deep relationship with Jesus Christ.
The key to Iron Man’s strength is a super cell power supply located in the center of his chest. For you and I Jesus is our power supply. So how do we obtain Jesus? Jesus is the only source, there is no other power or name that will save us.
“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Acts 2:21
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.- John 14:6
Salvation is not achieved by works (by what you DO) but received through faith (by what Jesus has DONE).
You know I had an awesome thought. Can you imagine an Iron Man army of teens suiting up everyday equipped to share their faith, growing deep in their relationship with Jesus, and fighting off the schemes of Satan?
So who is Iron Man? Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is the CEO of Stark Industries which produces advance weapon systems for the U.S. military. Tony flies to Afghanistan to demonstrate a new weapons test to the United States Air Force. On his way back to his plane, his convoy is attacked by terrorists, and Tony is wounded by a Stark Industries missile. Tony is captured and held hostage in a cave with Yinsen (Shaun Toub), a doctor who saves his life. When Tony Stark is kidnapped by terrorists he’s forced to reproduce the new destructive Jericho missile he was demonstrating from parts of other weapons. Instead, Tony decides to build a suit of armor. The suit gives Tony the strength and protection to be able to escape the terrorists. Back in America, Tony builds a better suit of armor which gives him superhuman strength with the ability to fly. With the help of his personal assistant Pepper Potts and Air Force Lieut. Colonel Jim Rhodes, Tony vows to protect the world as Iron Man.
Did you know that each of us has been equipped with our own suit of armor? When we put our faith in Christ alone we’re equipped with a supernatural suit of armor that gives us superhuman spiritual strength to protect us and help us fight against spiritual warfare.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. – Ephesians 6:11-13
Satan loves to trick you and I into believing spiritual warfare is about the people in our lives. Like that annoying brother or sister who nags you, the teacher handing out loads of homework, or your parents grounding you for something you’ve done wrong. Spiritual warfare is NOT about people, it’s about Satan and his demons. Spiritual warfare, Satan and his schemes are real. In order for you and I to battle spiritual warfare we need to follow Ephesians 6:11 and put on our spiritual Iron Man suit. In Ephesians 6:10-13 God promises to give us the power we need to say “no” to the devil’s temptations, protect us from his schemes, and give us the superhuman spiritual strength to stand our ground. It takes a deep relationship with Jesus Christ.
The key to Iron Man’s strength is a super cell power supply located in the center of his chest. For you and I Jesus is our power supply. So how do we obtain Jesus? Jesus is the only source, there is no other power or name that will save us.
“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Acts 2:21
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.- John 14:6
Salvation is not achieved by works (by what you DO) but received through faith (by what Jesus has DONE).
You know I had an awesome thought. Can you imagine an Iron Man army of teens suiting up everyday equipped to share their faith, growing deep in their relationship with Jesus, and fighting off the schemes of Satan?
Conversation
I think it's awersome! the
I think it's awersome! the Helmet of Salvation- Sealed and uses speakers to tell whats going on outside, and radio to communicate, and for us, the helmet restricts our sight to that which is pertinent. The computer enabled him to see things for what they truly were, recieve data on how to handle the enemy. If we have that helmet, then we can get communication from God.The Breastplate of Righteousness protects the heart as the helmet of salvation protects the mind. The light in the center chest not only represents the power of God which gives us life as the arc reactor gave life to tony Stark, but that power from god, in our life becomes the light to see from. As Stark was weakened when he fired the Chest Ray, We are to give our love and effort to force back the forces of evil and be a beacon amidst the darkness, both take effort and sacrifice. The Boots of the Gospel enable us to cover and overcome any terrain obstacles, and also enable us to hold our ground, and not be overrun by the forces of darkness. The Belt of Truth gives strength to withstand the lies which try to decieve, that try to entangle, that try to render us powerless by depression,hopelessness,being called worthless, giving up when backslidden or have done wrong. The Belt of Truth tells us god loves us, that rather than being swift with punishment, that the Father gives mercy and grace. Truth renders useless the traps of man and Satan. The Shield of Faith is the protection guaranteed by God. It is not powered or made of materials of our faith, for it can crack or fail if we are overwhelmed by the enemy. Instead God has given us the Armor, and Shield of unbreakable material. God created it, and no weapon by man can prevail against it. His Shield deflects ALL THE FIERY DARTS/ARROWS/ATTACKS of the Satan. It is the Forcefield which covers you front, back, side, top, bottom...The enemy can distract and try to flank (move behind) a person to get at a vulnerable spot. Unlike the Armor of the Roman Centurian, God fully 'Covers' His warriors. I see the verse that read that with God He gives us to be as upon Eagles wings, and with Iron Man flying, it just added to the earnestness of the concept. I like his landing on one knee, and when you read to the end of Ephesians 6, we are to pray for our brothers and sisters and in supplication- for God to empower us and direct us. So, even as Soldiers land on enemy soil, they verify their instructions and directions to go. We pray, and with the Helmet of Salvation recieve direct response from God, and Do as He instructs. The Sword of the Spirit is something I can see as etherial, for it is the Word of God, and can pierce the heart in conviction, it can cut through the chains /yokes of bondage/infirmities that will be dispelled:blinded by the enemy to the spiritual needs and gifts of God, blinded by the world giving nearsightedness to only see what you desire and fleshly desires./deafness to God trying to speak to us;deafness to your own heart; deafness by the concert-loud volume from the enemy distracting or trying to seduce the flesh into enjoying any and everything but what God wants for you. The Word says for us to be still/silent and listen for God. Stark enjoyed reaping the greed, the partying, and not being responsible for anything but what appealed to his flesh. Tony Stark realized there were repercusions and consequences. The enemy saw potential in Stark for great destruction. Tony had to have a 'coming to Jesus moment' have his conscience pricked, and then a new 'heart' and direction. Innocents were paying the price for his actions, He learned to be humble and 'responsible' Obadiah Stane played the perfect Satan. Never blatantly opposing Tony, but using,manipulating, and tempting Stark in order to continue on Stanes/Satan's aggenda. In order to confront the evil, he had made the initial armor on his own, while later, the Comforter/computer which was like the Holy Spirit/guide Enabled him to create something better. This armor exhibited "No weapon forged shall prevail against you." And it's look, with exception of some lightsaber-like Sword of the Spirit, but his Gauntlet served as the Shield-when deflecting bullets, and in the comic, Iron Man has a Force field which encompasses him. So, this was the perfect example in my opinion.
@Pastor E - I've used that
Cool article! Do a search
Awesome comparison, thank
Awesome comparison, thank you for sharing!
I didn't need an excuse to
I didn't need an excuse to see the movie...but now I have one!
Post new comment