A.R.M.O.R On

DELBERT BAKER

LIFE DESIGN

A.R.M.O.R ON:
How to Increase Your Spiritual Intelligence

By Dr. Delbert Baker

ocial scientists have developed ways of describing personal capacities that have come to prominence in the last few years. These qualities are called quotients. You likely recognize some of the most popular.

Intellectual Intelligence (IQ) refers to one’s rational knowledge and logic.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) refers to our capacity to manage and respond to emotions with understanding and empathy.
Social Intelligence (SQ) refers to ability to build a network of friends and maintain it over time.
Adversity Intelligence (AQ) refers to one’s ability to face and manage challenges and adversities.

Underlying all the intelligences, however, is Spiritual Intelligence (SI). In this setting, SI is our capacity to be in tune with spiritual realities, God, His Word and will. SI focuses on increasing qualities such as trust, integrity, wisdom, compassion, love, joy, and peace. The higher our SI, the more we will be successful and productive in relating to God, others and ourselves.

Biblical SI
In Ephesians 6, Paul provides a model for how to successfully develop and improve one’s spiritual intelligence. He stresses that the foundation for a successful Christian life begins with honest self-examination (see Lamentations 3:40; 1Corinthians 13:5; James 1:23-25). Examination should flow into a healthy self-awareness and growth in Christ.

Prominent in this biblical model, is a formidable enemy of darkness who intends to attack, beat-down and destroy believers. It is imperative that Christians rely on God, put on the entire spiritual armor, know the enemy, and be strong to stand in spiritual warfare. The believer needs self-awareness, a strategy and reliable equipment.

ARMOR ON
Genuinely, prayerfully, use this A.R.M.O.R. O.N. model to self-evaluate your current spiritual status. Rate yourself in each of the seven criteria with this scale: (3) Strongly agree; (2) Moderately agree; (1) Don’t agree.

1. ASSESSMENT: Truth Preparedness (the Belt).
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,” v.14
Self-Assessment: Is your mindset so based on biblical principles that when you are confronted with sin, secular ideas and opinions, you automatically revert to a biblical posture?
My Rating: ____________

2. RELATIONSHIP: Righteousness Foundation (the Breastplate).
“having put on the breastplate of righteousness” v.14
Self-Assessment: Do you believe in Christ’s righteousness as your sole qualification for heaven; subsequently, do loving attitudes, acts of humility, justice and mercy flow from your life as a result of this saving relationship?
My Rating: ____________

3. MISSION: Peace Advance (the Shoes).
“having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” v.15
Self-Assessment: Do you experience and spread the love, peace, goodwill and the power of the gospel when faced with all types of trials and temptations?
My Rating: ____________

4. OPPORTUNITY: Faith Defense (the Shield).
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” v16
Self-Assessment: Is your faith and Bible knowledge strong enough to refute false teachings and to cause you to offer love and forgiveness, versus hate and revenge, in the face of attacks and reviling?
My Rating: ____________

5. RESILIENCE: Salvation Protection (the Helmet).
“Take the helmet of salvation.” v.17
Self-Assessment: Do you have the firm assurance of salvation and your ultimate place in heaven and eternity regardless of internal feelings and surrounding circumstances?
My Rating: ____________

6. OFFENSIVE: Word Permeation (the Sword).
“the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” v.17
Self-Assessment: Through regular Bible study and spiritual practices, do you experience the ways of God and His Providence as your working life principle and regularly share and witness to its power?
My Rating: ____________

7. NETWORK: Preferred Communion (our Prayers).
“praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” v.18
Self-Assessment: Are prayer, praise, petition and thanksgiving integral parts of your daily life?
My Rating: ____________

Make it your life practice to know where you are spiritually, then to constantly grow in spiritual intelligence and effectiveness.

DR. DELBERT BAKER is an international educator with a broad worldview and an astute observer of human nature. He has degrees in theology, history, counseling and administration with a Master of Divinity, PhD in Organizational Communication, and is a certified Executive Leadership Coach.

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