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The Holy Spirit Protocol

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  Ephesians 6:11 NIV

Photo courtesy of pixabay.“I want the Holy Spirit,” announced our thirteen-year-old grandson, Caleb.

My wife Charlotte and I have raised Caleb since he was two. Over the summer, while awaiting his move to the eighth grade, he has had daily readings in his Bible, his devotional, and C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. We discuss his readings at the dinner table. And once a week, I give him a special topic to research. This week’s topic: The Holy Spirit. 

Caleb’s overall enthusiasm for this summer reading and study project is probably on a par with most thirteen-year-olds. I fully realize what we’re doing is mostly just planting seeds. But in Caleb’s case, his thoroughness and participation are also directly related to his Xbox usage. So he has an incentive.

In this case, however, something had sparked a real interest. So I asked, “Why do you want the Holy Spirit?” 

“Because,” he answered, “it’s like an invisible Ironman suit!”

Okay, that wasn’t exactly the answer I expected. But maybe the boy was on to something. 

“Go on, Big Guy,” I replied. 

“Well, when the Spirit came down on the apostles at that Pentecost place, they all had tongues of fire, like Ironman. And after Philip baptized the Ethiopian dude, Philip flew away just as if he was in Ironman’s suit. When the snake bit Paul, the suit’s armor protected him and protected him again in the shipwreck. But most of all, the Bible says the Spirit gives you direction, answers questions, and tells you which way to go, just like the F.R.I.D.A.Y. voice-interface-thingy guides Ironman.”

At this point, Caleb looked thoughtful for a moment. “And doesn’t the Bible say to put on the armor of God? That sure sounds like Ironman to me!”

I have to admit he has a point. The Word is full of references to the armor of God. And if Caleb can relate to it as an Ironman suit easier than ancient body armor, I’m okay with that. 

I guess Tony Stark, the comic book inventor of the Ironman suit, would call it the Holy Spirit Protocol.

Counselor. Comforter. Shepherd. Dove. Breastplate. The Spirit is all these things. He is the great gift to believers and the church. 

Don’t try to live the Christian life by your own power. Seek the Spirit. Hunger for Him. Ask for Him.

He is promised to us! 

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)


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Kevin Spencer

Kevin Spencer likes to play with words, help others play with them, and is privileged to be a staff writer for Christian Devotions.  He lives with his beautiful blessing of a wife, Charlotte, and his amazing collegiate grandson, Caleb. 


Comments

  1. That's awesome what the Lord showed your 13 year old! Praise God!

  2. Thanks Kevin for sharing this. Your example of providing Biblical instruction to your 13 year old grandson is commendable. Even though we all should be doing this, many of us don't. I also love the fact that your grandson can relate Biblical concepts to something in his world today. Very inspiring.