It Starts with Truth for a Reason
Lately, I have been learning more deeply about the armor of God, as mentioned in Ephesians 6.
And with this armor, comes a call to remember the importance of Truth.
Not “my truth” or “your truth”, but THE Truth.
Makes Sense
In today’s culture, this idea of a steady & sure Truth is often rejected & mocked.
Well, if you consider how much importance the Bible expresses that Truth really has in our lives, while also considering that the devil’s main goal is to discredit God & destroy us, it makes sense that this idea of a firm TRUTH that we can count on & stand firm upon is so greatly attacked.
The Bible Is the Standard for ALL Truth
I grew up being taught the Bible is true, but never really grasped that it is THE standard of ALL Truth.
That God’s Word is TRUE, for both believers AND unbelievers in Jesus &/or God’s Word. Its validity is not dependent on the reader’s understanding of it or belief in it. It just IS.
The more I read through God’s Word, the Bible, the more I see its truth coming to light, shining reality over what I grew up believing was reality based on what I understood to be true.
God’s Word is a filter by which we can determine if anything else is true.
He Is the Only Reasonable Determinant of What Constitutes as Actual Truth
Because God made us. He made this world. He knows how it works.
So, it stands to reason that He would be the only real determinant of what constitutes as actual Truth.
He is also eternal & unchanging. He existed before time & will exist after it. He sees all & knows all.
So, again, it stands to reason that He alone would be the only real determinant of what constitutes as actual, real TRUTH.
And yet, too often, based on my childhood & upbringing, formed through the eyes of a child’s immaturity & inexperience, I think I could determine for myself what Truth could be & have it hold up to every circumstance in life.
No. Only God.
God Made Sure We Had It & Having It Offers Us SO MUCH
And in His infinite richness of blessings to us, He made sure we had His Word given to us, inspired by Him & written by humans.
2 Timothy 3:16 concisely sums it up with, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God & is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
I heard it described this way, “God’s Word is good then for teaching us what is right, what is wrong, how to correct what is wrong, & how to do what is right.”
What an amazing description!
But I Want It MY Way… I Think I’M Right…
My selfish, self-centered heart wants everything to be about me: my understanding, my determining of what should be right or wrong based on what I want or how I feel about something, my wisdom, my desires, etc….
But there is only one Truth & that is God’s Word.
Truth Stays Truth Over Time
Truth does not fluctuate based on our feelings… it stands strong & firm.
Truth does not deteriorate because we discover something new… it stands firm & strong throughout history.
Truth is not dependent on us believing it… it stands firm & strong.
God’s Truth just IS.
And THANK GOD for THAT!
Truth Is Our Defense & Steady Footing
When we lean into & stand on God’s Word for Truth, we are no longer as susceptible to believing the devil’s deception…
We’re no longer so easily offended or hurt…
We’re no longer so easily distracted into giving in to our evil desires…
We’re no longer as gullible or easily controlled…
We’re able to stand firm & when all is said & done, to stand.
God’s Word…
God’s Word gives us steady footing that doesn’t shake when culture shifts.
God’s Word gives us a firm foundation when our world seems to crumble around us.
God’s Word gives us ammunition against our struggle with anxiety & depression.
God’s Word helps us know what pleases God & what doesn’t.
God’s Word tells us our purpose & our calling in life.
God’s Word POINTS US TO THE ONLY SOURCE OF TRUE HOPE—JESUS CHRIST.
Information We Can Count on & Live By
It tells us we’re made by Him, loved by Him, rescued by Him, & blessed by Him.
It warns us of the Enemy & tells us how to combat & defeat Him.
It brings healing, counsel, comfort, confidence, courage, & strength.
It applies to every area of life.
Read It for Yourself!
THIS is why I URGE you… DON’T rely on a pastor’s teaching… DON’T rely on what a devotional or book says… DON’T look to the ideologies, philosophies, & beliefs of your culture.
MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD DAY & NIGHT.
Know it. Read it. Study it. Do it. And PRAY OVER IT.
He didn’t make a point to have many people carefully record His Truth to pass down through the generations, to reach you… so it could sit in the drawer of your nightstand.
This is not a Christian ACCESSORY; it is a Christian NECESSITY.
God’s Word/TRUTH Is Helpful & Life-Giving to Us in Every Area of Life
God’s Word is helpful in every area of life… & the more & more you pour over it by reading it or studying it or memorizing it, the more it will come into focus for you.
But reading it is not enough for it to change your life.
You have to DO WHAT IT SAYS.
Hearing the Truth & not doing what it says is true is worthless, like looking in a mirror & then walking away & forgetting what you look like (James 1:23-24).
And if you don’t know how… good news… the Holy Spirit is ready & able to help illuminate the Truth in your heart as you ask Him to help you live His way.
It All Starts with JESUS
But it all starts with Jesus. You have to be willing to accept you’re a sinner, you’ve messed up, you’ve rebelled against God, you’ve sinned… ask God to forgive you of those sins, trust Jesus as Your LORD & trust that He has paid your debt in full… & turn away from that sin & rebellion with God’s help as you live for Him.
And when you do that, you are gifted with everything you need to live for Him, His way, with His help. (2 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 1:3)
Trade It All In
And that is when you begin to bow your ideals & ideas & emotions & beliefs & understanding & passions to trade your shadows for God’s LIGHT.
Trade deception for Truth.
Trade darkness for Light.
Trade despair for HOPE.
God’s Word is a necessity. Ask Him to help you be diligent.
Allow God Room to Help You in the Struggle… Determine to LET HIM HELP YOU
If you struggle against it, know that Satan will have made it his mission to do whatever it takes to convince you to put that Bible back down & disregard it, because he TOO knows just HOW POWERFUL GOD’S WORD really is!
So, when you feel the resistance, that headache, that tiredness, that distraction, that whatever-it-is… PRAY & READ ANYWAY.
Say a similar prayer to the one I have said to God SO MANY times in the past, “God, I know I should do this, but [I really don’t want to… I really don’t feel like it… I feel too tired, though… I am so busy… I am so distracted… I can’t concentrate…], please HELP ME obey because I know it HONORS You AND it BLESSES me! Help me fight back!”
And then… START READING & trust that God will help you fight back as you determine to read the Truth you need to steady your life… to know what is right & what is wrong & how to correct what is wrong & how to do what is right.
The Importance of Truth
I hope, by now, you see even just a GLIMPSE of the importance of Truth.
***Again, your Bible is not a Christian accessory; your Bible is a Christian NECESSITY.***
Shine Hope by learning God’s Word, doing God’s Word, & sharing God’s Word (in LOVE) & don’t let Satan consider you as “gullible & easy to control” anymore!
Coming Next Week
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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:
Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!
Truth Earrings
These incredibly light earrings are made with genuine local capiz shell.
Artisan Information:
In the Philippines, finding employment as a woman in poverty can be extremely difficult. Poor working conditions, lack of job security, & unfair pay are often the realities. Through your purchase, these women are receiving an income, health care, & social development programs. This allows these women to realize their potential & pursue their dreams in a safe environment. You have the opportunity to change lives!
Purchase this piece & empower a woman in the Philippines!
How You Can Help:
SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!
Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!
