Put on Truth!

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph 6:11

Put on Truth.

We are told to put on truth. The scripture never tells us to look inwardly for truth, but to look to God for truth. Since God is the Author and Creator of all, He is the only One qualified to say what is true. He says His Word is true. Our heart will not lead us to truth, but, if left to itself, will lead us away from God by defining it's own truth. Proverbs tells us that the person that trusts in his own heart, is a fool.

He that trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he that walks wisely shall be delivered. Prov. 28:26?

We Must Fight For Truth

One would think, as born-again Christians, we would not have to be told to put on truth, that it would automatically find residence within our heart. But this is not the case. Nothing in the Christian's life is automatic, or comes easily, especially truth; we have to consciously and willfully give ourselves to the Word of God that we might know the truth, and then by faith, act on truth.

The entrance of thy words giveth light, it giveth understanding to the simple. Psa. 119:130?

We are told, by the Lord, that without truth we will not be able to stand or withstand the opposition of Spiritual Darkness. We have to understand the nature of this opposition; it opposes the Person of Christ, it opposes the way of salvation, and it opposes the Christian, personally. Darkness is relentless, and it is powerful, for it appeals to our human nature; it appeals to our natural desire for self-rule, to define our own path. The wise person learns to examine the thoughts and intentions of his heart through the filter God's Word. He understands the Word to be a light that shines brightly and exposes the desires  and ambitions of his heart; it judges them, and allows us to see them, whether they be good or bad. Apart from the truth of God's  Word, we lack the ability or insight to examine the motivations of our heart.

For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

There is a part of us that is especially vulnerable to the message of Darkness. It is that part of us that "wants". Our "wanting" is always on, and open to the lies of the Devil. Truth, if submitted to, keeps us from falling to the emotional charm that surrounds our "wanting". Have you notice the strength of our desires? Thank the Lord that our eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit, for without His help we would never see what is true. Our autonomous and selfish heart would simply define it's version of truth, it would write its own destiny, while and our mind and emotions watched in complete agreement. And in addition, our culture, its institutions, and indeed, the entire world would applaud our efforts to find our own personal truth.

We Must Commit To Truth

Knowing truth is not automatic, we must pursue it. Committing to truth is the first step, having your loins girt about with truth" is what Ephesians 6:14 says. Truth is of no advantage to us unless it dwells within our heart, the heart therefore is our focus. We conform our heart, i.e., thoughts, emotions, ambitions, desires, imagination, and priorities, to truth, which is God's Word. We, joyfully and humbly, allow our heart to be to be examined by Scripture, and when necessary, we repent and ask God for the spiritual strength to make inward changes. This process becomes the way of life for us. God shines His light on our heart through His Word, and as we allow His Word to occupy a ruling position within our heart, His power is released, giving us the power and ability to defeat the lies of Darkness that would bind us emotionally and spiritually. The present, conscious, knowledge of the truth will free us from emotional and spiritual bondage.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

Truth is an attribute of God. It is part of His Nature, He is the "first cause" of truth. Truth proceeds from Him alone. The scripture says "truth goes before Him".

If we are going to relate to God then we have to decide to live by truth. God cannot relate to a person who insists on living in darkness.

The words of the Lord are are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. Psa. 12:6-7

If I know the foundation of my problem is a lie then truth has to play a major role in my recovery!

IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN THERE IS MORE RIGHT WITH YOU THAN WRONG WITH YOU!

A True Story

Allow me to relate a true story to you. This story involves a woman, abused for many years as a child and teen-ager. This is her story.

The Lie

She believed a lie. The lie was that she was damaged goods. So much had happened to her, her trauma was so great that she viewed herself as a defiled and worthless individual. She was consumed with feelings of failure and believed her life was beyond recovery. And because of the injustice of her abuse, she hated with a vengeance; in her opinion her life was completely and forever ruined.

What Does God Say

We do not find in Scripture God saying that our lives are hopeless or ruined because of abuse or injustice. Thinking that justifies hatred and bitterness is untrue and only deepens the trauma. As Christians, we do not have the right to ruin our lives with chronic bitterness and hatred. Hatred destroys the heart, and according to scripture, is the spirit of murder, 1John 3:15. The Lord never says that it's OK to be consumed with hatred.

Her Abuse Defined Her Faith

Her abuse defined her worldview. She related to life through her trauma. Her trauma controlled her mind and her faith. Every relationship, every emotion, every thought was controlled by the memory of her past. Emotionally, her abuse never stopped. Her mind was constantly in memory of her abuse and her abusers. But when she began to relate to God and others through the Word of God, she saw that her response to the abuse was causing her greater problems than the actual abuse. She began responding to God and stopped responding to her abuse and her abusers. As a result, she began to see herself as a person of value, truly loved by God and others.

Jesus Heals The Broken Life

God is a healer, and He takes the broken life, and brings forth a beauty and a compassion, that only He can produce. A crushed flower is notable for it's sweet fragrance. The truth was that her life was not over but just beginning! This is true for everybody who determines to get over their past. God owns the future and He promises to heal, this truth cannot be overstated. The devil, through lies, attempted to destroy this person, her marriage, and her children. But God took her hopelessness,  and her brokenness, and gave her a beautiful and fulfilled life. This is the power of truth, it delivers from the lies and bondage of Darkness.

God's Definition Is The True Definition

She allowed God to define her. She realized she was a new creation. Old things were passed away all things became new, 2Cor. 5:17. She saw her new identity as residing in Christ Jesus, for the scripture said that she was God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus. Eph 2:10

The Old is Dead, The New Is Alive

She realized that the old person was dead, it went to the cross with Christ and the life she was now living she was living as a new creation, by the power of God. Rom 6:6-11

Emotional Dependence on Christ

Let's call her Joan. Joan is now walking in her new identity, loving God and loving others, being truly thankful for the grace and mercy of God. She is thankful for the Gospel. The Gospel freed her from emotional dependence on her past abuse. The Gospel gave her a new identity, and a new foundation for life. Armed with truth, Joan was able to rebuild her fragile  emotions by resisting the lies that almost destroyed her. Joan is now emotionally dependent on Jesus Christ and what he says! She relates to life through Him, and life's circumstances through her relationship with Christ! And Jesus, according to His Word, strengthens and sustains her-this is the way life is to be lived. Look at Psalms 23

Psalms 23:1-6

1. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever

Questions for The Christian

  • Are you emotionally dependent upon Jesus Christ? If not, then on who or what are you dependent for emotional fulfillment? What does it take to make you happy? What do you really want from life?
  • Are you chronically unhappy, depressed, unfulfilled, apathetic, angry, unsatisfied with life in general?
  • Are you chronically unhappy with your church, your husband\wife, your income, your parents, your lifestyle?
  • How long has it been since you have been truly at peace?
  • Are you an insecure\fearful person?
  • Are you really satisfied with God's counsel for your present circumstance?
  • Have you ever been happy with who you are?
  • Are you living in sins that you are unable to stop?

These are examples of questions that every Christian must answer truthfully; the answer reveals the quality of our spiritual condition.

In order to be healthy and fruitful, we have to walk in peace. Real peace, real fulfillment, real happiness, real joy in our present circumstances; these are the indicators of a heart that has been changed by truth and is emotionally dependent upon Jesus Christ.

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. Psa. 37:37

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Psa. 4:8

What is true about you?

Psa. 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Psa. 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield, I hope in thy word.

Psa. 119:125 I am thy servant, give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

Psa 19:7-11 The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous all together. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned, and in keeping them of them, there is great reward.

Psa. 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Psa. 91:4 He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust, His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Psa.100:5 For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to all generations.

Psa.108:4 For Thy mercy is great above the heavens, and Thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.

Eph.5:9 The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.

But He answered and said, it is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God shall man live. Matt 4:4

Matt 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. /p>

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, art thou a king then? Jesus answered, thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Psa 146:5-6 Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God; which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is; which keepeth truth forever.

Deut 8:2-3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.

Rev 21:5 And He that sat upon the throne said, behold I make all things new, and he said unto me, Write, for these words are true and faithful.

Phil. 4:8 Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise , think on these things.

2Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

2Tim 2:22-26 Flee also youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

2Tim. 4:2-4 Preach the Word, be instant in season, out of season. Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

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