Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. Ephesians 6:14
Most people miss this Forgotten War that is happening all around us. They miss that Satan will stop at nothing to see that we are defeated. They also overlook the importance of gearing up for the spiritual warfare that we will engage in each day.
When a Roman soldier went into battle, they would go through a process of putting on battle armor. Paul knew this well because Roman soldiers were common all throughout the empire, and their basic armor was similar. Paul knew that a belt held their protection together because it was a belt that kept their body armor in the right place. Without a belt, they wouldn't have access to their weaponry. If their belt fell off or if it wasn't correctly attached to the other armor, they would have no chance of survival on the battlefield. Take that in for a moment, because this particular piece of armor was essential for survival.
Paul illustrates that the belt we should put on as followers of Jesus is one of truth and honesty. We go to battle against an enemy that seeks to twist the truth. He is the father of all lies, and if we are going to stand up against the attack, we have to be equipped and buckled into the belt of truth. When we live with integrity and stand firmly on the truth of Scripture, we will not be moved. When we start to believe that lying isn't a big deal, there is no absolute truth, that God might be holding out on us, or even that we are immune to dishonesty, we fall victim to Satan's attacks.
One of the ways we can overcome the evil one is through a commitment to being honest. We have to remain committed to telling the whole truth to those around us. We have to not shade the truth to make ourselves look better. When it comes to the Bible, we have to read it for what it says rather than twisting it to accomplish our own purposes. In this way, we remain honest and equipped to defeat the evil that comes against us.
Take some time to consider where you are at with honesty. Is there an area of your life where you are not as truthful as God would want you to be? Do people know you as a person of integrity? Would you want your own children, grandchildren, or little ones that you influence to turn out like you when it comes to honesty and integrity? Or do you have some things you need to fix? Work through the questions and then pray that God will give you a heart filled with integrity.
Read Proverbs 30:1-10 (NLT)
The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh contain this message.
I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God.I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense.I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One.
Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists?Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world?What is his name—and his son’s name? Tell me if you know!
Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.
O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die.First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.
Never slander a worker to the employer, or the person will curse you, and you will pay for it.
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