Fearlessly Courageous

What Standard do you live by? REALLY

“If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” John 8:31–32

In a day and time when the very concept of truth is under attack, the first piece of armor you strap on is the belt. A Roman soldier’s belt was practical and much needed. He might hang a sword, dagger, or other needed items on his belt.

Truth is the beginning point of everything. If there aren’t some things in your belief system that you absolutely know to be true, then everything else falls apart. The armor starts with truth because it’s from a firm foundation about the nature of God, humanity, in the universe from which everything else flows. When we are confident about who God is in the victory, being one in Christ,

we are ready for the battle before us.

The belt also produces stability by holding things in place. As we begin a new chapter isn’t is obvious we should take inventory on the basis of what we believe. Most will just take for granted what they know and just move forward on automatic. But if we’re honest, things have changed. Honestly, can you name one or two areas in your life where you need more stability? And what makes this area of life uncertain or out of control? (think on that) And how could truth provide stability to that situation? Not your truth…but God’s truth. The belt of truth is designed to stabilize everything else by keeping all of it in the proper order.

If we don’t apply the truth what good is it? Does it cease to be the truth if you don’t hold to it? Why is it critical to believe that God will not and cannot lie?

John 8:32 “says you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”. I hear people use this quote but it’s not the truth alone that makes you free, it’s that YOU KNOW the truth. (read that part again)

When you choose to believe, understand, and operate under the objective nature of God‘s truth, the truth automatically stabilizes all the other areas in your life. It’s meditating on God’s word daily. It changes you from the inside out. Since God is the only one who can’t lie, he is the only one who exists in a state of absolute truth. He is the source not only of our freedom but also of our stability and victory.

Feelings cannot be the standard by which we measure reality. Though important, feelings just aren’t always true. Our feelings MUST always be brought in line with God‘s truth, or they can guide us down an unstable path. Jesus goes so far as to pray that the truth would sanctify his followers. To sanctify means to be set apart for special use. Because of God’s truth, we can find ourselves set apart for a special use instead of being beaten down in the spiritual battle.

The problem is – not everybody loves the truth. It is often not convenient, popular, or easy to stand by.

Meditative Scripture: “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” John 8:31–32

Father help me to become a person who genuinely loves YOUR truth and every part of your word. Help me to begin by reading a little every day. I do not want to live by half measures or half-truths even by accident. I want to be accountable to your truth, not mine. Help me find that person to who I can be accountable, especially in those areas I tend to compromise my truth with justification. Amen

Casting Crown Voice of Truth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwsvqVmFV6Y

Excerpts are taken from Tony Evans Book Spiritual Warfare