" Fly as I Want to Be" Part 1

Let me start by saying if I could, I would marry the apostle Paul. I would! I absolutely LOVE him! Now that I have gotten my spiritual crush out of the way, it's time to break bread. I know you're like me and like to look good. Most of us probably have our own style and way of jazzing up our outfits with a signature look. While I'm a huge fan of style and originality, we should all be dressed alike in this particular area: Spiritual Warfare. We should all be properly armed and ready for battle at all times because Peter has warned us we have an adversary (the devil)and he is on the prowl like a roaring lion and wants to eat us alive. We as believers need to be prepared at ALL times and ready for battle! Don't be skurred-Be PREPARED!

In Ephesians 6:10-18, my man Paul tells us what we should be wearing so we can stand against the schemes, plots, and tricks of the evil one. The first thing Paul says we need is to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. He then tells us who we're fighting against (vs 12) [principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, and a spiritual host if wickedness in the heavenly places]. He says something that's EXTREMELY important, he says to take up the WHOLE armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day (vs. 13).

Belt of Truth

Belts are usually the last thing we put on as we're getting dressed or maybe even your shoes, but Paul list this first. He calls it the "Belt of Truth". What is truth? Jesus said, you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free (John 8:32). What holds more truth than God and His Word? But many refuse to believe. It's a sad society we live in when Bible believers and Christ followers compromise His Word for what society has said is acceptable. My Bible tells me, and I believe it- that friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4).

I am not Paul, but I wonder if he listed the belt first because the church at Ephesus dealt with the same situations and hypocrisies that we deal with in the present day. Paul wanted us to know the truth and to stand on it! God's Word is true and if anybody comes at you with anything OTHER than the Word, stand confident and boldly like our Master teacher when He told the devil it is WRITTEN! Know the Word, so you can stand on the Word! It is full of truths you need for every situation in life, but the main truth is that Jesus loves you! He died for you and He wants you to be with Him in eternity. It doesn't get any truer than that.

Breastplate of Righteousness

I believe Paul listed this as the second piece of attire, because he knew the enemy is very deceptive and plays with our emotions. The Bible says the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). WOW! The righteousness of God is the ONLY thing that can protect this vital organ which is essentially weak. This piece will cover your heart which can become bitter and hardened as long as we keep living. The truth is, people hurt us; they treat us like dirt, and never look back and see what kind of pain and damage they have done to us. More importantly, they don't apologize for the wrong they have inflicted on us, and NEVER acknowledge their part in our pain. Pump the brakes! STOP giving PEOPLE that much power and control over your life!!! Would it really matter if they did apologize? I don't think it would. Most of us need that grudge year after year to hold onto. What if that grudge you've been clinging to is the ONLY thing between you and your breakthrough? Hmmm...

We need soft hearts or as the Word says a "heart of flesh". We can NOT do kingdom business with a hardened and bitter heart. I hear you saying, "It hurts so badly!" Trust me I know!!! But it hurts God's heart even MORE that you refuse to let Him do His job of working on your behalf and making your latter greater than your past and not giving Him the opportunity to use EVERYTHING you've been through and working it together for your good. He can, and more importantly-He will! But in His time.

Righteousness means to be in right standing, and He said in His Word that only those with clean hands and a pure heart can ascend up to the hill of the Lord (Psalm 24:4). And I KNOW that's where we want to go, so.....allow the breastplate to cover that area that can be exposed to the foolishness of this world. Please believe that God's Word is greater and mightier than ANYTHING we will ever face in this world and can cover us like nothing ever will. Until next time, gird up so you can stay as fly as you want to be! God Bless ;)