FIGHTING FORWARD RETREAT RECAP
Standing Strong Together | Ephesians 6:10–18
It was a blessing for Biz to speak at the Fighting Forward Men’s Retreat as men gathered to explore what it means to live a FORTIFIED life.
Together, they journeyed through Ephesians 6, unpacking four important themes: Knowing the Enemy, Getting Your Armor On, Standing Firm, and Living Courageously.
Tackling subjects surrounding spiritual warfare is never easy. In fact, preparing these messages was both challenging and, at times, exhausting. There is something sobering about studying the enemy, understanding his tactics, and recognizing the spiritual battles we face. Yet, through the process, one thing became increasingly clear: We need these conversations more than ever.
We are witnessing a wave of people pursuing Jesus, and that is something worth celebrating! At the same time, it wasn't that long ago that we saw another wave of people walking away from the church. Many left carrying hurt, disappointment, wounds, and unanswered questions.
The reality is that spiritual battles are real, and pretending they don't exist doesn't make them go away. We need to be equipped, encouraged, and reminded that we were never meant to fight these battles alone.
One of the most fascinating discoveries while studying the armor of God was learning about an ancient Roman military strategy called the Testudo formation.
The word Testudo means "tortoise." During battle, Roman soldiers would lock their large shields together, creating a protective formation. Those in the front and along the sides held their shields outward, while others raised their shields overhead. Together, they created a nearly impenetrable wall of protection against incoming arrows and other attacks.
Think about that for a moment.
A soldier's shield was important on its own, but when those soldiers locked shields with the men beside them, they became part of something much stronger. They weren't just protecting themselves; they were protecting one another.
There is a powerful picture of Christian community in that formation.
Interestingly, after describing the armor of God in Ephesians 6, Paul doesn't simply end with a reminder to put on our armor and stand our ground. He goes on to emphasize the importance of prayer for one another.
Ephesians 6:18 says:
"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."
I love that reminder. Paul moves from describing the armor we need to the importance of continually praying for one another. Our faith is personal, but it was never intended to be lived in isolation.
The battles in life are hard. Spiritual battles are real. And isolation only makes the fight harder. God has given us His strength, His Word, His Spirit, and the gift of one another. There is something powerful about having people in your life who refuse to let you fight alone.
So here's a question worth asking: Who's in your Testudo? Who are the people locking shields with you? Who knows your struggles, prays for you, challenges you, and stands with you when life gets difficult? And just as importantly, whose shield are you helping hold up?
