FROM THE DAWGHOUSE…
ARMOR UP!
I was meditating this morning over the armor God gives us to put on…it’s one of those go-to passages that I seem to go back to over and over and over again in my life! Here it is:
Ephesians 6:10-20
“ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
The belt of truth…thoughts I had…
The belt was put on first by Roman soldiers, and the other pieces of armor apparently tied into the belt. The belt held the armor in place. It is foundational to proper armor working as it should.
Truth gives me the internal mental ability to evaluate the world properly. There is so much information out there being fired in my direction from the minute I wake up to the second I lay down for the night that if I don’t have God’s truth shaping my thinking I’m super likely to start thinking like the world thinks.
Truth is fact based and affects my emotions, in fact guides my emotions to feel properly. When truth is functioning properly in me, then I have the proper notions of what is the right belief and course of action to take, which shapes my feelings about the actions I am to take, which then enables my will to make the correct decision.
When I am a man based on God’s truth, then I can stand tall knowing that the position I am taking is right because God says it’s right. So many people spout their ideas as if they are the ultimate reality. When you question them or do research on their conclusions you find inevitably that someone will differ from their conclusions and that others have different solutions to the issue at hand.
God’s truth gives me confidence.
God’s truth humbles me because I don’t have all the answers and insights and I have to be a learner. A life long learner.
God’s truth sets us free, as John 8:32 makes abundantly clear.
So I’ll meditate on God’s truth in His Word. I’ll listen to Him. From the basis of God’s truth, I’ll be able to connect and use all the other pieces of His armor that He provides.
When I throw on my work out belt, it reminds me of the belt of truth…the mind clearing, confidence building, emotion directing, pride humbling, freedom giving belt of truth that is found in Jesus and the Bible.
All because of Jesus and the Gospel.
Are we men blessed or what?
Father as I start this day open my eyes to your truth in the Word and then by Your Spirit keep me thinking, feeling, functioning and deciding in light of Your truth, and the truth of the real world. Don’t let me be deceived by the enemy. Help me to walk tall, and lead my family and others well, for your glory and our good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
