Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 23, 2020
Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. Ephesians 6:14, NLT
As long as we walk through the battlefield of this world, we are wise to wear the body armor of righteousness over our heart. Not self effort, but living for God which is rooted in righteousness. Moral teaching without gospel preaching is a form of righteousness Jesus warned about, echoing the righteousness of the Pharisees. The devil’s fiery darts of fear are extinguished and bounce off the protective spiritual covering of a pure heart.
No doubt Paul is drawing his militant imagery from Isaiah’s picture of God, outfitted in His body armor of righteousness, ready to repay the enemy for his evil deeds. Reliance on God is required to refine our character and to mold our conduct into the image of Christ Jesus. No weapon formed against us is formidable to our faith in the Lord to see us through trials and tribulations—as the battle is His. We guard our heart from temptation when guided by God.
“We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously” (1 Corinthians 10:13, TPT).
Do you surrender daily to the victorious life found in the righteousness of Christ? You may find yourself frustrated at past failures while attempting to live for the Lord. If so, learn from these lessons in humility by inviting the Spirit of God to tame your spirit to love and trust Him. A fervent faith need not run ahead of the Lord, exposed to the enemy, but waits in prayer and preparation for purity in heart. Take the time to forgive and ask forgiveness. Your service is not sustainable if your life is weighed down by sin. Only through cleansing are you released to service. Purity of heart protects you from self and prepares you to expose the enemy’s schemes. Don God’s armor.
We all strengthen each other’s resolve when we train together in righteous living. Outfitted armies of God who have each other’s back cause the enemy to stand down. A united front of the Lord’s faithful frustrates demonic warfare and brings peace to enemies on earth. A purified church runs from the allure of political power, and fights to serve the poor and bring the good news of Jesus to souls starving from gospel poverty. Pure hearts protect families and nations.
“What bliss you experience when your heart is pure! For then your eyes will open to see more and more of God” (Matthew 5:8, TPT).
Prayer
Dear Lord, by faith I put on your body armor of righteousness, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
What area of my heart needs to be cleansed by the Holy Spirit?
Related Reading
1 Kings 3:6; Psalm 7:9, 15:2; Luke 1:17; 2 Timothy 2:22
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We all strengthen each other’s resolve when we train together in righteous living. #pure #wisdomhunters #truth #Jesus
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