IMPORTANCE OF THE TRUTH
Every Christian has leaned some truth since the day of salvation. Christians are been entrusted with the truth, which is a weapon to fight all assaults that may add or remove anything from the inspired word of God. Isn't it amazing how Paul lists the armor of God in the epistle to the Ephesians? Although the order was not necessary according to the text I think that truth is the first armor of God. He said ;
Stand, therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14, ESV)
I think if God was to consult man before listing these armor, man would've at least suggested that either the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, the breastplate of righteousness or better still prayer should be on the top of the list. But since God's ways are not ours ways, He saw it fitting to lead the arsenals with the belt of truth'. Although faith is what ushers us into the new life in Christ, it must be preceded by a work in the mind, where lies are replaced by the truth of scripture. There must be repentance before salvation.
Imagine with me for a second. Why would Paul give such a priority to the gospel? Why would he say that he's "not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.?" (Romans 1:16, ESV). It means that everything about the Christian life starts with the acceptance of the gospel. There must be a change of mind. The thinking about reality must take a new form. It's always observable in the testimonies of new converts how they lament about their way of thinking before salvation. They realize that their whole world was full of lies from the devil.
Everyone in this world without the new life in Christ has a corrupt mind. This mind became corrupted when our forefather Adam sinned in the garden of Eden. This total depravity must therefore be battled by the powerful Good News that God has given to His disciples to preach to the world. This is why after He had overcome death, He sent us to "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." (Mark 16:15, ESV). Don't marvel why he did not send us to pray for the world or anything else aside from the gospel. The truth must have its way in the depraved minds of sinners. It shutters their philosophy and perception about God and who He is.
Have you wondered why the devil attacks the truth more than anything else? Have you wondered about the clones of false religion that has sprung up after the birth of the church with the main objective of 'correcting' the Bible? I said clones because they are all of the same origin - the devil. There are only two religions. The religion of God and that of the devil. And the religion of the devil specializes in twisting the truth. Have you counted the number of other books that have been written in order to right the wrongs in the Bible? They are numerous.
Remember that when Satan came to Eve he first attacked the truth by saying
"But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die." Really. Why didn't he deceive the woman with another thing aside what God has already given her? There we confirm the name, Deceiver. He twists the truth into a lie. In order to prevent people from believing in God, he has to change their way of thinking. He has to make the lie seem right by manipulating the words of God to suit the depraved minds of sinners. Satan made what God said looked like a lie to the woman. For God has already said,
'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" (Genesis 3:3, ESV).
Do you cherish any weapon aside from the truth? Then maybe it's because you have not considered the place of the truth in salvation and sanctification. It's the power of God unto salvation' and the guide of the saved unto sanctification and glorification. I hope you study the scripture more than you do now. I hope you hold fast to the truth that has been entrusted to you in the Bible. But remember also to pray for understanding. A truth that is accepted in a depraved mind without the Holy Ghost makes it a lie.
Let's interact in the comment section. Till we meet morrow God willing, stay blessed.
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Wow! Thanks for this exposure. God bless you for making me to see the scripture in another new light.
Amen.
It is noteworthy that every writer of the New Testament and Jesus all warned of deception. Warnings of false prophets, teachers, Apostles and christs. False teaching, angels of darkness posing as angels of light. False teachings, wolves in sheep’s clothing. Spots at our live feasts. Deception is the wafare. Thi enemy has had lots of practice and is very good at making a lie believable. So as you accurately pointed out, the belt of truth. Evenour faith has its foundation in Truth.
Yet so many don’t know what the Bible says for themselves. Always relying on others to teach them. Our only defense is the anointing and the Word. Of God. We should search the scriptures diligently to see if what we hear is true. Then hold on to what is true and discard the rest.
The large majority of what is preached on TV is some truth mixed with the thoughts of man and many times the doctrine of demons!
But even with all of these warnings in God’s Word, so few test their own beliefs.
God bless brother!
You're right my friend. Most people go to church and listen and just live by those words. They don't search the scriptures to see if the are true.
Amen! I always enjoy your teaching.
God bless!
I enjoy your teachings too. Yet to check your new post.
Same Spirit brother{
you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free, truth work as a person and is a person indeed and Jesus Christ the word of God, for He said, I am the way ,the truth and the life, Self description, Because Adam and Eve, didn't know the truth they became victim of sin.