When War Comes (Part 1)
And you will hear of wars and RUMORS of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. ~Matthew 24:6
We hear the battle cry for war across the world. Nation is rising against nation, just as warned in Matthew 24. Now, probably more than ever, we need to armor up!
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of the wickedness in the heavenly places. 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with TRUTH. ~Ephesians 6:11-14
Stand having girded your waist with truth. Some versions of the Bible call this the "Belt of Truth." Girded means to bind or secure as with a belt around your waist. It also means to surround or encircle, and to prepare for action. All 3 of these definitions reveal deep meaning to this verse. We must keep TRUTH so very close to our physical body and soul. We must surround ourselves with it so that we are prepared for action at any moment.
In Psalm 15, David asks, Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may dwell in your holy mountain? Psalm 15:1 The answer, The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the TRUTH from his heart. Psalm 15:2-3
Next Ephesians 6:14 instructs us to stand with the breastplate of righteousness in place.
A breastplate covers your vital organs, namely your heart. We must guard our hearts.
My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of you sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body. Above all else, guard you heart for everything you do flows from it. ~Proverbs 4:20-23
Ephesians 6:14 continues and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In order for "feet to be fitted" they must be prepared with the Gospel of peace which Strong's defines as the "glad tidings of salvation through Christ."
Feet symbolize movement. Spiritually, we use our feet to run from the enemy and his plot to take us down. We don't stand in the place where temptation comes, we run!
Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
or set foot on the path of sinners,
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the Law of the LORD,
and on His law he meditates day and night. ~Psalm 1:1-2
Is it accurate to say that our feet are fitted by meditating on God's word?
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish ALL the flaming arrows of the evil one. ~Ephesians 6:16
A shield is used in battle to deflect weapons hurled or thrusted toward you. The shield of faith deflects the flaming arrows of our enemy. Psalm 91:4 says, "His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Did you catch that? HIS faithfulness will be your shield. We don't have to muster up faith and it is not up to us alone. We can rely on His faithfulness to keep His promises.
If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. ~2 Timothy 2:13
Friend, if you are weary and your faith is weak today, ask Him to be your shield of faith!
We are instructed to put on the full armor....The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the shield of faith. (Next week we will talk about the helmet and the sword) But, take note, the armor is not automatically on us. We put this armor on each day by seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness and making Him our dwelling place.
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