There are several things we can learn from sails as we look at Scripture. As you might know, a sail on a sailboat is used to catch the wind and push the boat forward. When you raise the sail, the wind fully catches the sail and when it is lowered, the ship does not move as quickly because less wind is being caught in the sail. Let’s look at some things we can learn about the Christian life from sails.
Don’t shrink back from declaring truth (Acts 20:20):
“You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time— 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and with the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews— 20 and that I did not shrink back from proclaiming to you anything that was profitable or from teaching it to you in public and from house to house. 21 I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. (Acts 20:18-21).
Notice in verse 20 how Paul says that he did not ‘shrink back’ from teaching and proclaiming the truth! Well, the term ‘shrink back’ is actually a reference to a sailor lowering his sail so it doesn’t catch the wind and move the boat forward.
We should be careful about not to let anything stop us from proclaiming God’s truth and the Gospel. Do not ‘shrink back’ and lower your sails just because speaking the truth or doing the right thing may result in discomfort of even persecution.
Be spiritually alert and ready for action (Isa 33:23):
Your ropes are slack; they cannot hold the base of the mast or spread out the flag. Then abundant spoil will be divided, the lame will plunder it, (Isa 33:23)
The image above has ropes and sails slack which means they were not positioned to catch any wind that might blow. In a word, the sails were not ‘ready’. Years ago I caught 5 minutes of a sailing competition on TV. It turned out that I had tuned in when there was no wind! The two boats competing were completely dead in the water with no movement at all and about 100 feet apart. Even though nothing was happening in the race, the crews were busy. They were adjusting ropes and sails and doing who knows what … to get ready to catch a puff of wind that just might pass by. To my amazement, a few minutes later the smallest puff of wind came up and ONE of the boats started moving slowly as its sail caught that ever so small puff.
Well, the word for spirit, as in the Holy Spirit, is the same word used for wind. The Holy Spirit is like the wind, and you don’t know where it might blow or in what direction. As a Christian, you need to always keep your sails and ropes ready to ‘catch’ that wind and move forward spiritually.
Titus 3:1 tells us to be ready to do good works and 2 Tim 4:2 tells us to:
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
So, practically speaking, you need to keep your attention on God and spiritual matters to see any opportunities the Holy Spirit presents to you during the day. I know that I have gotten so busy with my agenda for the day, or so focused on what I’m doing that I’ve missed opportunities to share Christ or even encourage people. In a word, I wasn’t ‘ready’. My sails weren’t up.
Keep your sails up and your attention on the spiritual world ALL day, EVERY day so you will be ready when the Holy Spirit wind blows you in a direction.
Rely on God and not your own (Isa 33:23):
Your ropes are slack; they cannot hold the base of the mast or spread out the flag. Then abundant spoil will be divided, the lame will plunder it, (Isa 33:23)
In context, this passage is depicting Israel as a weak, broken, sailboat that can’t fight or flee. Tight ropes on a sailboat are necessary to tight the sail, keep the mast safe, and allow the ship to move forward and maneuver. That was Israel. They were under siege by the Assyrian empire and didn’t have the power to fight or the ability to flee.
God comes to their rescue with His strength.
A habit we can fall into is relying on our own power and strength whether it is to serve God, cope with life, or weather storms. The result of leaning on our own strength and power is exhaustion and often failure. As believers, you and I need to rely on God instead of ourselves.
So he answered me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of Hosts.” (Zech 4:6)
The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. (Jn 15:5)
Think about it
If the “rigging” represents our daily spiritual habits (prayer, fellowship, Scripture), which of your lines has started to hang a bit loose lately? What is one practical way to tighten it this week?
What is the difference between rowing a ship in your own strength versus hoisting a sail to let the Holy Spirit guide and propel you? How can you actively “spread your sails” in your daily choices?
When you think about sharing your faith or standing up for biblical truth in today’s culture, which “winds” (e.g., fear of rejection, awkwardness, political correctness, or workplace tension) make you most tempted to trim your sails and shrink back? How can you be prepared in the future?
In the sailing illustration, the crew worked furiously adjusting lines even when there was absolutely no wind. What does “working on your rigging” look like in your life during spiritual dry spells or seasons when it feels like nothing is happening?
Think of a time you were so consumed by your own daily checklist or phone that you realized later you missed a “puff of wind”—a prompting by the Holy Spirit to encourage someone or speak up. What can you do throughout the day to keep your sails up and ready?
