Be On Guard - Choose Your Weapon

Every week after service, Todd and I usually have some time to discuss Sunday's worship and EKG hour. This week we sat at the table talking about the significance of weapon choices Nehemiah used for protecting his people on the wall: swords, spears, and bows. Todd brought up a great point that I thought was worth sharing...........

Nehemiah 4; 13-14 “Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

When I read these verses Sunday, I began to think of the “enemies’ of our family household. What are they? Who are they? When do they attack?

As parents we are coming to grip with the idea of being “role models” for our kids. Not just telling them to “eat right” but showing them that we eat right. Not saying to “behave certain ways” but showing them that we behave that way also.

Do they see us reading our Bibles, working out, spending down time, putting each other’s needs before our hobbies, helping our neighbors, etc. If they don’t, then telling them to behave that way is almost pointless. They will see the hypocrisy immediately, or soon enough.


Nehemiah said that he put his workers on the wall with the following weapons: Swords, Spears, and Bows. Each had a different purpose and a distinct range.... Up close combat, mid-range, and distant warfare.

As parents, we have to look for enemies of our households in different areas; Up-Close (Internal Enemies), Mid-Range (Friends and Extended Families), and Distant (The World).

I challenge you to look for the enemies that attack your family. What habits does your family have that add un-needed stress to your week? What commitments do you have that take away from exercising your minds and bodies? Do you have unhealthy relationships? Does TV or movie watching take the place of time better spent elsewhere? Does your love of materials/status/self outweigh your commitment to teach your kids about God’s Love and Commandments? Are you an enemy of your own family?

Like in Nehemiah, you, parents, are responsible for building the wall around your home and defending it. Use your tools and weapons accordingly to defend your territory!

Romans 6:13 says: "Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments (weapons) of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments (weapons) of righteousness." There is no sitting on the fence (or wall for this reference). You are to use your time and efforts for righteousness. Be on guard!

Todd and Mandy Turner