BASIC MILITARY TRAINING FOR THE BELIEVER (9)

I have literally been overwhelmed by the response to this series of blogs, not only the numbers as recorded by WordPress, but also the Twitter & FB responses plus phone calls received commenting on what I have written.

In one sense sadly, it indicates the lack of Biblical Discipleship that seems to be available on this essential subject, plus I guess the importance of continued Repetition and Reminder (for we seem to forget so soon). Only this morning I woke and was so conscious of the emotional effects on my body from a dream I had just had, much of the dream was missionary based and one simple aspect really effected me, and I had to use one of these 9 awesome weapons of warfare to deal with the effects of the dream.

We now come to the next weapon Paul tells us about in Ephesians 6:14.

KJV Stand therefore, having your LOINS girt about with truth.

PASSION Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph

MESSAGE Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. GOD’S WORD IS AN INDISPENSABLE WEAPON.

Th picture in the Greek text, appears to be more than a BELT, but also covers the waist (loins) like a SKIRT, as can be seen in the typical picture of a Roman soldier.

The first thought we share and emphasise today is this weapon is THE TRUTH OF THE WORD OF GOD. The Message puts it so well GOD’S WORD IS AN INDISPENSABLE WEAPON WHICH WE WILL NEED THROUGHOUT OUR LIFE.

Jesus reminds us in John 8:32 NKJV And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you FREE.”

WE know both Historically and personally that truth is revealed PROGRESSIVELY, and we must HOLD THE TRUTH IN BALANCE. Interestingly, we balance our bodies from the hips (loins area).

Jesus reminds us us and the Samaritan woman that we must worship in spirit and in TRUTH. Balance is not worship in Samaria or Jerusalem but that God can be worshipped anywhere.

Please note the BELT holds the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS down, there are many unbalanced (even unbiblical) concepts to do with Righteousness and Holiness, we must know clearly what the Word of God teaches, or we will get into Legalism, and simply Religion.

As already noted it covers the waist and the loins of a person, which is the Reproductive area. Unless this area is covered with the TRUTH OF THE WORD OF GOD, we can fall into sexual sin. May I remind you about one of the keys related to THE HELMET OF SALVATION that is making a “Covenant with the eyes”, in this sex crazy world, access to pornography is so easy, long before pornography was available Job knew unless he made that Covenant he could fall into sexual sin.

When the Holy Spirit restores or re-emphasises a truth, two problems can arise:1. An Over-emphasis of truth, or 2. A neglect of truth. You can have error by neglect as well as over-emphasis.WE MUST MAINTAIN BALANCE.

Hebrews 5:13-14 NKJVFor everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

We must move from the milk of the Word to the meat of the Word, and learn to exercise our spiritual faculties to discern truth and error.

Solomon reminds us in Prov. 23:23 NKJV

Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
Truth is expensive, but the results are eternally life changing.

Let me encourage you to regularly pray, “INCREASE MY LOVE FOR THE TRUTH, We must learn to be open to receive TRUTH from the Lord, but not be gullible.

We need to regularly check our motives and attitudes, and maintain A TEACHABLE ATTITUDE, and always be willing to share your thoughts with your Mentor/s and be willing to adjusted and corrected if necessary.

There is so much that could be said about this piece of the armour, we must be MEN AND WOMEN OF THE WORD. Spend quality time in the Word of God EVERY DAY, not only reading it, but meditating upon it, looking at other translations, and praying LORD TURN THE LIGHT ON never forget John 16:13 NLT When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.

PASSION But when the truth-giving Spirit comes, He will unveil the reality of every truth

MESSAGE But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, He will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is.

PUT THE BELT OF TRUTH ON AND WEAR IT CONSTANTLY, IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.