When three friends were asked to define vulnerability, they all made a reference to weakness. Being afraid to share in front of others, how a medication might affect one’s body, concern for children around strangers, victims of domestic violence; to name a few. 

In my own life, language learning and teaching are my frame of reference. Not speaking the local language makes me vulnerable to being misunderstood, sometimes cheated and so dependent. In my classroom, I see university deans and business administrators struggle to express the events of their morning or ask the simplest of questions in English. Most spend their days in positions of management or instruction in their native tongue. Without the needed language, they must depend on a translator in dealings with foreigners. They often used a younger, less experienced colleague for help with English-speaking partners with less than their desired results. Obviously, it was humbling to be so needy but many also felt vulnerable – never completely sure what was being communicated.  

“Weak and without protection” says Webster.

And in the church?

A close Christian friend once shared about the government’s policies with churches in his country. “There used to be more outright persecution. Services forbidden, leaders arrested, Bibles burned. But the government saw that that failed. Believers became stronger. So they decided to allow or encourage cults to infiltrate gatherings. It worked. Even unbelieving officials could see that the church over the years no longer had the same values and unity as before. Believers had become complacent and compromising about their faith.”

Weak and without protection.

Vulnerable to false teachers and ignorant of their need to grow in their faith. 

Not a unique situation, not limited to a location, and serious. 

The Bible – not some current book on social issues – says to “put on the armor of God.” Armor is for battle. 

“Be alert.” 

“Make every effort to add to your faith…” a long list of Godly attributes. Don’t be satisfied with what you have now. 

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” 

Not weak and not without protection.