I cannot remember what made him so mad. To a skinny 65-pound fifth-grader, the sixth-grader looked huge.
Richard’s reputation screamed “playground bully.” He had a temper. Bullying in today’s schools is closely policed. But back then it was eat or be eaten.
I am not sure what I said that turned his “mad” on. But at morning recess, just before the bell rang, I said it!
So he came after me. I assumed he wanted to punch me or worse. Yes, I was scared! He looked down on me at least a half-a-head taller. He had to have out-weighed me by 10-20 pounds.
So I ran. Not in a straight line, but just about the time he would catch me, I would dart hard-left or hard-right. I’m sure the adrenaline was helping me! If he caught me, I knew I had no chance of survival.
A small crowd of kids gathered. In my frantic darting around, I thought, I’ve got to get out of this somehow. That’s when the idea struck.
So the next time he almost catches me, instead of darting left or right, I stopped, stuck out my leg, he tripped and did a face-plant in the dusty playground.
The bell rang and I ran like mad to my home room and stood close to Mrs. Coker, my fifth-grade teacher!
After school that day I quickly jumped on my Western Flyer and got out there. (click here to see photo) I avoided Richard for the next few days!
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 ESV
So how do we fight against these ruthless spiritual bullies whose leader is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, kill, and destroy?
In Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul says we have an array of weapons. We need to put them on every day. USE them! We have truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Spirit, perseverance, prayer, and boldness.
Of course, Paul compares all of these to the Roman soldier’s battle armor. These soldiers guarded him twenty-four hours a day, so he would be very familiar with them.
So go re-read the passage on the whole armor of God. You’ll likely meet that bully today!
