Warthog Windscreen
Becoming a Bulletproof Man by Stephen Bly
I got a letter from an eighteen-year-old high school senior reader fan. She told me she’s been applying for different colleges, but she’s worried what to do with her horse, Magi, an Arabian. She wrote, “I probably ought to sell him, if I don’t have time to ride, but I’ll never find another like him. He’s been a friend to me. He is absolutely bulletproof.”
A Bulletproof Horse?
Yep. He doesn’t scare or shy, even if you shoot at him. Loyal, he won’t run away from you. He’s smart, learns quickly, and can figure things out on his
own. So honest if you barely lay a rein on his neck, or touch him with your knee, he’ll turn. He’s got heart. He’ll do things, not because their best for him, but because he thinks they’re best for you.
A bulletproof horse comes in all sizes, from 14.1 to 17.5. He can be plain as mud or covered with chrome. He can have papers that stretch from here to Kalamazoo. Or he can be a sixth generation grade horse. He can cost your daddy $20,000 or $200. I got to thinking that we need bulletproof men too.
12 Rules for Bulletproof Men
I think God has called His followers to be bulletproof men. Our families and our country needs these kind of men. And we can be. These aren’t listed in any order of priority.
1.) No Spiritual Games
“One thing you lack,” Jesus said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Mark 10:21,22)
The rich, young ruler played a spiritual game. He seemed sincere as he told Jesus all his spiritual credentials, the good deeds he had done. Perhaps he wanted to be validated that he did everything right. He earned his right to go to heaven. But Jesus gives him one command. And the man’s thinking, “I didn’t mean that part of my life.”
2.) No Secret Sins
“The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them. The sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden” (1 Timothy 5:24,25).
Secret sins can be pretty easy to define. It’s those actions or thoughts you’d be ashamed to tell the people around you, like your own kids. When God confronted Cain about Abel, he said, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”, as if his sin could be hidden from God.
3.) Bulletproof Men Have No Hidden Agendas
“When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.'” (John 1:47)
Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of the religious Pharisees. Be out in the open about motives in actions with your mate, your kids, your co-workers, and friends. If you’re not sure about yours, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you.
4.) No Sidestepping Guilt
“Adam said, ‘The woman you put here with me, she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.'” (Genesis 3:12)
It’s always someone else’s fault. Some of us get in this habit. You could be so perfect if only other people didn’t mess things up.
5.) No Pleading Ignorance
“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again” (Hebrews 5:12).
Avoid long-term spiritual immaturity. Allow space to grow in understanding throughout your life, but take your place to mentor others as soon as possible. Learn basic spiritual truth in the Bible. Be willing to share what you do know and what God’s done in your life.
6.) No Fleeing Conflict
“Be on your guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).
In this chaotic world, we seek peace, and we should. But some conflicts demand a fight. We need to be on guard when to take a stand. What are those watershed issues for you?
7.) Bulletproof Men Admit to No Quick Fixes
“When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?'” (Luke 9:54)
James and John wanted to use Jesus’ power for a quick fix. Burn down the place. God wants us to pay attention, walk with Him step by step, and learn to take instructions.
8.) No Lazy Relationships
“Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
No way could you consider what Jesus did for the church a lazy relationship. Doing family and friendships requires intention and hard work.
9.) No Rash Promises or Judgements
“When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6).
Bulletproof men slow down on making quick promises and rash judgements. They think things through with spiritual discernment and common sense.
10.) No Reining In Forgiveness or Affection
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'” (Matthew 18:21,22)
Keep right on forgiving and showing love, even when required to discipline and punish, especially with kids. Or dogs. Work to find the balance.
11.) No Shame Over Personal Faith
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
Actor Jimmy Stewart threatened to quit the John Wayne movie, The Shootist, if they highlighted a corrupt preacher or scorned Christians. At Wayne’s insistence, they pulled out the unnecessary portrayal. Jimmy Stewart made his stand and would take the consequences. Aim for that kind of courage.
12.) No Fear of Satan
“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” (Ephesians 6:13). “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8,9).
Yes, Satan can flaunt his power on this earth. But we can live without fear. The power of Jesus through the Holy Spirit within us is greater than his. Jesus entered this world to defeat the evil one’s ability to steal, to kill, to destroy. He has our back. And He has given us guides to become bulletproof men.
Stephen Bly
Copyright 1995
Warthog Windscreen Image by dayamay from Pixabay
NO Sign Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay
Never Give Up Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Yes & No List Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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Listen to the complete “Bullet Proof Man” audio podcast message by award-winning western author Stephen Bly. Recorded at Cannon Beach Christian Conference Center in Oregon. Sponsored by BlyBooks.com Legacy Series.
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