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Many years ago when I was in my late teens, a much older believer asked me this question: "What would you say is your Achilles' heel?" His question sent me on a project into the world of Greek mythology to discover the significance of this guy called Achilles.
What I discovered was that when Achilles was a child, Thetis held him by the heel as she dipped him in the waters of the River Styx by which he became invulnerable except for that part of his heel by which she held him. Hence the proverbial term "Achilles' heel".
I began to see the importance of my friend's question.
Because I am engaged in a spiritual, cosmic war, I would do well to identify any areas in my defense system that makes me vulnerable to enemy attack. If the enemy knows my point of weakness and how to exploit it, I really should know it, too, and do what I can to protect that area.
The question got me thinking about some of the Biblical characters. I read again the story of Samson. What was his point of weakness? What about King David? Did he have an Achilles' heel? Did Abraham have an identifiable point or points of weakness even though he is called a 'friend of God'? What about Peter? Timothy? Paul? Interestingly, this question is pressing me again at this stage of my life.
It must be 50+ years since I was first asked that question and its relevance has not diminished in the slightest over that time. What has changed is its application I look back over the last 6 decades of my life and I note that points of vulnerability are not necessarily static. What was once a weakness might now be a strength. Equally, what was once a non-issue when it came to vulnerability might now be a major consideration.
The Apostle Paul seemed to suggest to his young protégé, Timothy, that the changing seasons of life bring with them vulnerabilities unique to each season. In 2 Timothy 2/22 (NLT) Paul writes, "Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts". I take it that there are temptations that, although not unique to youth, are especially powerful and dangerous in those youthful years.
I need to think more specifically about these issues. I'll come back to them in my next post.
