When I was a child, my dad was a Taekwondo Martial Arts Instructor.
In Taekwondo, beyond self-defense, you are taught important life skills (The Pillars of Taekwondo) such as: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit and victory.
My oldest sister and I took classes from our dad and also sat in on the adult classes. We would show up and suit up for practice wearing our tiny, white gi uniform with our yellow belts tightened securely in place.
After our practice, I remember sitting crossed-legged on the floor, watching my dad toss large, grown men to and fro.
He would dance around the mat performing his demonstrations as men came in for the kill from all directions.
Although he was not a large man, he had earned his black belt; therefore, he was a skilled, trained and qualified Master.
I was so proud of my dad.
In awe, I would witness him kick some royal butt as he Tangoed with the Tormentors!
Yup, I would boast about my daddy all day long!!
In the privacy of our home, we received individual training. I remember him teaching my siblings and me how to defend ourselves. He taught us a few techniques; one being the vicious “finger of death”- in which you stick your finger in the enemy’s back until they beg for mercy. LOL.
Okay, this technique was just something he did for fun and to be silly, and also to torment us a little, but you get the gist.
Upon practicing our newly developed skills, and rehearsing over and over a routine our dad choreographed, the day came when my sister and I showcased our skills by performing our own Taekwondo demonstration in front of the community. Our dad portrayed our attacker; this meant we got to publicly kick his rear! It was great.
We Tangoed with the Tormentor!!
Overall, we learned great form, discipline, technique and defense from our father.
Child of God did you know that you have a skilled Father in Heaven?
He is a Master at everything!
He holds the highest rank!
He is more than qualified to teach and train His children how to defend themselves against the enemy’s (Satan’s) attack.
We learn how to ward off evil as we sit down and read His word- the Bible and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. He instructs and demonstrates for us how to fight, defend and secure victory against our tormentors.
When we Discipline ourselves by taking the time to learn from Him, we Develop in skill and confidence as we practice, and we eventually learn to Demonstrate with great form and superior technique.
Each time we SHOW UP we SUIT UP!
We put on our White Robes of Righteousness and we securely tighten around our waist the Belt of Truth!
As we put on each piece of Armor (The Armor of God) given to us from our spiritual Father we are transformed into Warriors for Christ!
Suited Up in His Armor we are now ready and prepared to withstand darkness!
We are trained and taught to deflect arrows, block blows and exchange punches!
ABOVE ALL WE PUT ON LOVE.
Love is our greatest weapon and defense in combat.
Love sends forth a mighty blow to our enemy.
{Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1 Corinthians 13:7}
{So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Colossians 3:14}
This is how the children of God kick some royal butt in battle!
WE SUIT UP IN LOVE!
But we don’t boast about who we are. We boast about who our Daddy is!
Our Father is the Master- God!
And I am So proud and privileged to call The Great I AM- my Dad!
I have Tangoed with the Tormentors!
Now I am delivering my Victory Dance!
But it is only because of Him, because of what He has taught me, because of how He has trained me- that I have won victory over the attacker and the accuser.
Yup, I could boast about my Daddy all day long!
{I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:2-3}
Maybe you’ve been tangoing with the tormentors, but instead, you feel as though you’re the one being tossed to and fro.
Maybe you have been dancing with the devil and you’re the one taking a beating.
I’ve been there. I know this dance well and it isn’t the fun kind.
Are you tired of rehearsing it over and over?
Maybe it’s time to call on your Dad.
Cry out for His help!
It’s time to SHOW UP & SUIT UP Child of God!
It’s time to Dance with your Daddy!
It’s time to watch Him in reverence go to work at churning up the dance floor! It’s time to Sit in awe and learn so that you may be instructed to grow and mature into a Spiritual Warrior for Christ- well Suited in Love.
{So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit].
But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head— Christ. From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.
Ephesians 4:14-16}
This training requires us to both Practice and Demonstrate discipline of the heart: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.
Yet, if we faithfully SUIT UP the Master Teacher promises that He will always SHOW UP to deliver Victory!!
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your teaching, training and instruction You offer to us through Your Word. Help us to SHOW UP & SUIT UP so that we may withstand evil and defeat the enemy. We faithfully trust You to deliver us from all captivity, fear, insecurity and doubt when under spiritual attack. Holy Spirit, remind us to PUT ON LOVE- the greatest weapon of all! Teach us to be Warriors for Christ and reflect Your heart. Help us to DEMONSTRATE: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Indomitable Spirit and Victory!
And may we EXALT YOUR NAME and Greatness to all!
In Jesus’ Mighty Name. Amen.
THE SIX PILLARS OF TAEKWONDO & THE MASTER'S PROMISES
I. Courtesy
Polite and gracious; considerate toward others; well-mannered. Treat other people exactly as you would like them to treat you. (The Golden Rule)
Jesus Teaches About Others
{“Do for other people whatever you would like to have them do for you. This is what the Jewish Law and the early preachers said.
Matthew 7:12}
II. Integrity
The quality or state of being: a) complete; in unbroken condition; whole; entire b) unimpaired; in perfect condition; sound c) of sound moral principle; upright, honest, and sincere. How we view ourselves and how we carry ourselves is very important in determining how others view us.
{I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.
Psalm 41:11-12}
III. Perseverance
To continue in some effort, course of action, etc. in spite of difficulty or opposition; to be steadfast in purpose; to persist. Set a goal for yourself and go for it, no matter what the odds or obstacles.
{“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4}
IV. Self Control
Control of oneself, or of one's emotions, desires, actions, etc. You know the difference between right and wrong. No matter how attractive "wrong" looks, remember the other tenets, and how you want to live your life every minute of every day.
{Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
Titus 1:8}
V. Indomitable Spirit
Not easily discouraged, defeated, or subdued; unyielding, unconquerable. Have courage—no matter what the odds.
{I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7}
VI. Victory
Success in a contest or struggle involving defeat of an opponent or overcoming of obstacles. Conquer the things you set out to do no matter how big or small.
{For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
Deuteronomy 20:4}
I pray this message was a blessing and an encouragement for you.
Please visit my website below to learn more about me and my Christian books!
God bless,
Mistie House
Award-Winning Christian Author and host of the Beloved Bride Christian women's podcast.
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