Once when I was learning to drive my Dad gave me some driving advice, “never go backward, when you can go forward.” I was having trouble backing the car. He only said it once, but it is a profound piece of advice for life, at least for the Christian life.

In Ephesians 6, we are given a list of the armor of God: “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Notice this armor is for offense, for a forward attack. There is no back plate or a back shield. When we withdraw from the spiritual battle, when we draw back from God, we are less protected than we are in the thick of the battle. Let us never go backward when we can go forward with our Lord.