Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32, NIV) Jesus Christ said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. The helmet of salvation protects the head, where all thought and knowledge reside. Sharing the gospel of salvation ultimately brings peace between God and men ( Romans 5:1). But do this with gentleness and respect" (NIV). Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. We can sidestep Satan's obstacles when we remember, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, NIV).įitting our feet with the readiness of the gospel of peace is described in 1 Peter 3:15 like this: "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. The gospel of peace is our protection, reminding us that it is by grace that souls are saved. In the same way, Satan scatters traps for us as we're trying to spread the gospel. On a battlefield or near a fort, the enemy might scatter barbed spikes or sharp stones to slow an army down. The terrain was rocky in the ancient world, requiring sturdy, protective footwear.
Joshua Ets-Hokin / Getty ImagesĮphesians 6:15 talks about fitting our feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. The Gospel of Peace is symbolized by sturdy, protective footwear. Remember that it can keep your heart strong and pure for God: "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." (Proverbs 4:23, NLT) God sees us as sinless because of what his Son did for us: "For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT).Īccept your Christ-given righteousness Let it cover and protect you. When Jesus died on the cross, his righteousness was credited to all who believe in him, through justification. We cannot become righteous through our own good works. Our heart is susceptible to the wickedness of this world, but our protection is the righteousness that comes from Jesus Christ.
That's why ancient soldiers wore a breastplate covering their heart and lungs. The breastplate of righteousness guards our heart. The Breastplate of Righteousness symbolizes the righteousness we receive by believing in Jesus Christ. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6, NIV) Jesus told us "I am the way and the truth and the life. Thus, the truth of God's Word shines its light of integrity into our lives and holds together all of our spiritual defenses. The Bible helps us defeat the lies of materialism, money, power, and pleasure as the most important things in life. We can see through Satan's lies by holding them against the truth of the Bible. When he lies, it is consistent with his character for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44, NLT).ĭeception is one of the enemy's oldest tactics. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. Jesus Christ called Satan the father of lies: He was a murderer from the beginning. Practically applied, you might say the belt of truth holds up our spiritual pants so that we're not exposed and vulnerable. In the ancient world, a soldier's belt not only kept his armor in place but, if wide enough, protected his kidneys and other vital organs. The belt of truth is the first element of the armor of God. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
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