Some of our family enjoys movies based on Marvel comic book characters. Ironman, Thor, Spider-Man, Captain America — these superheroes use superhuman power to fight bad guys. And while we see their flaws, we still root for them to win. They inspire us to keep going when the going gets tough.
Did you know that David had some superheroes fighting for him?
I Chronicles 12 describes a number of strong but disgruntled and displaced men who joined themselves to David in the wilderness. Some hurled stones and shot arrows equally well with both their right and their left hands (verse 2). Others ran quickly—swift as the gazelles on the mountains (verse 8). Verse 14 describes yet another group: These of the sons of Gad were captains of the army; he who was least was equal to a hundred and the greatest to a thousand.
Can you imagine? Do you see yourself just as strong?
God has not given us superhuman physical strength, because we’re usually not fighting against people, but against spiritual forces and principalities (Ephesians 6:12). For that battle we have the armor of God, listed in verses 13-20, enabling us to stand strong against the enemy’s slings and arrows. When those attacks come, we’re just as equipped as those champions.
Yet beyond physical battles, superheroes also fight their own internal demons. For instance, Ironman battles with his huge ego and impetuosity. Thor wrestles with self-indulgence and a desire for glory. And Spider-Man struggles to find his true identity. We, too, fight an inner enemy: our flesh. And for that battle God provided an often overlooked set of superpowers: the fruit of the Spirit. We can’t earn it and don’t need to ask for it. It’s already ours. And just as with God’s spiritual armor, we decide whether or not to make use of this storehouse, which I would liken to nine powerful weapons.
What does this battle-winning armory look like? The first weapon, love, defeats selfishness and fear. Joy, the next, lifts us above self-pity and depression. Peace counters worry and anxiety. Patience overcomes rashness and annoyance. Kindness gives us victory over rudeness and indifference. Goodness counters spite and hostility. Faithfulness defeats disloyalty and insincerity. Gentleness overcomes hard-heartedness and a lack of mercy. And self-control, the governor that determines whether we walk in the rest, vanquishes willfulness, waywardness, laziness, and a lack of discipline.
Walking with and using this mighty arsenal makes victory over fleshly tendencies always attainable. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh (Ephesians 5:16). We have a choice. It comes down to walking in our true identity. And just as we appreciate superheroes in spite of their flaws, God knows our weakness, yet cheers us on, the Holy Spirit prompting us to make choices leading to victory. By yielding to Him, we can all be superheroes!
Thanks, Carrie – never heard the fruits of the spirit described quite this way – very helpful and inspiring.