Via TJC
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” Eph. 6:10-14 (NASB)
Last week we looked at Spiritual Weapons in general and this week more specifically at the Armor of God. Ultimately our battles are spiritual and to successfully fight spiritual battles God has provided divinely empowered spiritual weapons. However, we have to choose, daily, whether (or not) to put on our Spiritual armor.
Using a sports analogy, say baseball or softball, your coach can supply you with the proper uniform, but you must choose to put it on; If you don’t put it on properly, you won’t be allowed on the field. For Spiritual battles, the enemy is coming; your choice is whether to fight naked (in your own power) or not.
The Armor of God starts with the belt of truth girding the loins. Why a belt? For agricultural workers, the toga was tucked into the belt when it was time to work. For Roman soldiers, at the center, keep equipment in place, including the breastplate. And those that have packed heavy loads know that it helps to ease the load off your shoulders when you can transfer some of the weight to your belt (hips).
Spiritually, knowing God and who He is the truth that we hang our Armor on.
With so many influences around us, we desperately need to know the true God, his character and His Love. Some may say you have your truth and they have their truth. The difference is that there is a Creator God and He sets the standards for what is real and true.
God’s standard is eternal; it transcends cultures and time.
We need to know God’s truth, and look to that truth so that we can be truthful in all things.
When my wife reads about folks being swayed by social media, and their confusion about the right thing to do, she’ll turn to me and say, “they have no center”. Or as I would phrase it, they haven’t found the belt of truth and put it on.
A.W. Tozer said, ““What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”
Daily Battle Order:
First, when you think of God, what comes to your mind? Do you have “a center” or are you more easily swayed by the influences around you? Write it down. Then share and discuss it with someone close to you. Your sincere discussion will improve your personal view of who God is.
Secondly, resolve today to put on His belt of truth.
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