Always Be Prepared for Spiritual Warfare
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Defense: When faced with a liar (what false teachers are), declare the truth that Jesus is our salvation. No works of man can save anyone.
Offense: We proclaim with full assurance Jesus is salvation, and, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Did you happen to notice the whole armor is enclosed in a parenthesis of truth? The belt of truth meets the Sword of the Spirit — God’s Word. Truth. The Victor who secured our armor for us each to wear every day is Truth — our Lord Jesus Christ. He wrote the Scriptures to magnify His name, to bring glory to Himself, and to benefit us as His children (Habakkuk 2:14; Psalm 115:1; Isaiah 43:7; Ephesians 5:1; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 3:1).
With His Word, we gain the equipment (equipping) God designed for our need and use. And we need His Word daily; it’s the only remedy for what ails our spirits. A wise teacher once said the Bible keeps us from sin, and sin keeps us from the Bible. As did the Bereans, so too are we to examine the Scriptures daily, not only to see if something said is so, but also to gird ourselves in the truth.
Defense: The defense is closely tied to the offense. Knowing God’s Word gives us answers to any who try to change the truth of God’s Word. Answer lies with truth. Truth will always out!
Offense: What you say first often leads the track of the conversation. Start with God’s truth and all false notions and teaching fall away by the power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16).
The Apostle Paul finishes this passage of Scripture with a call for prayer (vv. 18-20). How fitting for us as well as we seek to model Jesus and those He gave to teach us through His Word. He would have us to pray at all times as controlled by the Holy Spirit. We are to keep alert as we wear the full armor of God and pray for ourselves and all the saints (saints are all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord — set apart by Him and for Him). Paul asks for prayer for his boldness in sharing the Gospel. Let’s ask the Lord for the same.
Father,
You alone are awesome. You alone hold me in Your truth. Lord, every day I ask You to increase my love of the truth. Armed with truth, no lie can break in to kill, steal, and destroy. That’s what the enemy craves. I, Your child, crave You and Your truth. Give me boldness every day as I am covered in your armor. Help me share Your truth as I stand with the strength that comes from Christ.
In love and faith I pray in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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