Chink in the Armor

Chink in the Armor
by Tim Smith

The Story:

 You've probably heard someone make reference to a "chink in their armor" but do you know what it really means and how the phrase came about? The phrase came about during the middle ages when warriors would enter the battlefield suited from head to toe in a heavy steel armor. It was this armor that protected them from the most powerful weapons of the period. Any opening, crack or fissure in the armor created a serious vulnerability for the warrior and was known as a "chink".

Every deer hunter goes into the woods in a battle and armor of their own. They battle a deer's greatest asset, their nose. The modern deer hunter's armor includes products like scent eliminating laundry detergent, dryer sheets, soap and shampoo not to mention space age clothing and shoes engineered to stop human scent from hitting the air waves.

This past bow season, it was hot.  How hot you ask?  It was so hot cows were giving evaporated milk. However, heat is something you just have to put up with if you're going to bowhunt in the south. As such, I suited up for battle one hot afternoon in hopes of defeating my foe, a giant Alabama buck.  As I had done time and time again, I donned my full suit of armor (in the form of Scent-Lock). However, as I was about to put on my scent-free, knee-high, rubber boots, a thought crossed my mind. "Tim, do you know how hot your feet are going to get in those rubber boots? Your poor little tootsies may just melt when that hot sun bears down on those boots." So, I decided to just leave on my lighter weight leather boots I always wear around the farm.

---

Despite the sauna like temps, I had been in the stand for only about an hour when I spotted a tall set of antlers skirting the edge of the field, making their way to my downwind side. Just like most old, smart bucks do, he was making a cursory check before entering. As you've probably already guessed, as he got directly downwind of me his nose went straight into the air. I was busted!! This fellow's nose told him something wasn't quite right and he began to stomp and then walk away. This old boy had found the "chink" in my armor!

The Word: The devil is always looking for a "chink" in our spiritual armor. There's no doubt if it's there he'll exploit it.  However, the Apostle Paul described the pieces of the armor and how to wear it in order to combat the enemy.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." Ephesians 6:10-20

I would encourage you as we enter this New Year, to ensure the pieces of armor Paul described are present in your life and eliminate any "chinks" you may have.

Field Tip: As you probably already figured out, those old smelly leather boots were my "chink". As soon as the air molecules from those old nasty boots hit this deer's nose he knew there was a dude sitting in his house. However, for some unknown reason, this deer decided to stop one last time and pause at 34 yards giving me one last opportunity at a shot. Fortunately, my arrow found its mark and I was able to make a decent shot on the deer. However, if I had put on my full armor I believe I would've had an easy shot inside of 20 yards. So, your field tip is this: During bow season you can't afford to take shortcuts, put on the full armor. It's the only chance you have at fooling his nose.

Making Him known,
Tim Smith

---