What Is Love?

The following article is Lesson 3 from my book, Superhero University: The Ultimate Superhero Training Manual:

---

Superheroes, having the correct understanding of what is good and right, are full of love, and they are compelled to act out from love. This is the only reason we can distinguish the hero from the villain. Spider-Man doesn’t save a falling person from splatting on the ground because he hates the person he saves, right? The superhero saves someone from danger/death because he/she has love for the person he/she is saving. In stark contrast, the villain performs acts of evil, not love. Again, evil is merely a privation of what is good; hatred is a privation or lack of love. It is written in James 2:8 that we are doing right by living a life of love toward others. But what is love? 

Love is not something we can have or hold like materialists would like us to believe. Not everything in life can be boiled down to materialism. Think about it: Can you describe the physical features of love or even the thought about love? How much does love weigh? Of what is the love molecule comprised? There is no infinity stone of love we can possess that can be contained in a gauntlet. In fact, of all the infinity stones Thanos (from the Avengers) had been able to collect that provided him with seemingly unlimited power and ability, it is evident that he lacked love, and that is why he had no qualms about murdering half of the created creatures in the universe—including his own daughter! In fact, Thanos had to sacrifice love in order to be able to obtain one of the infinity stones. Ultimately, Thanos traded love for power because he could not possess both. 

But what is love? And why do humans possess the capability to love? If love is not a material that can be weighed, or measured, how are humans able to possess love? How do we even know that love exists? Does love exist? We know that love exists—not because humans have defined the term—but because the Creator provided the definition of love and humans live by that defined divine design. 

Think about this: Oxygen—the air we breathe—exists whether humanity believes in it or not. In fact, oxygen exists even if humans call it something else. Humanity never created or invented oxygen; we merely discovered it. Likewise, love exists whether humanity believes love exists or not. Love exists even if humans call it something else. In fact, the definition of love is so confused by many humans because they believe it to be something it is not. Many people misuse the word love when they are actually referring to something else that love is not. And this is why it is important that the word love be clearly defined. 

(1 John 4:7–8, NLT)
“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

(1 John 4:19, ESV)
“We love because he first loved us.”

Scripture makes sense. If GOD is love, then we would love because GOD first loved us because GOD created us. We are able to love because GOD is love and we are from GOD. If love is GOD, then we must know who GOD is so we can better understand what love is. So who is GOD? We will examine that in detail in Lesson 32, but for now suffice it to say that GOD is love and the absolute moral standard and therefore provides the definition of love (which we will soon examine and define). But we can also better understand love by examining what love is not. 

Love Is Not An Emotion 

Many people in the world claim that love is an emotion, but that simply isn’t true. Love affects our emotions and even causes us to produce emotions within us, but love is not an emotion in and of itself. You may claim that you can feel as if someone loves you, but love is not a feeling. 

Love Is Not Sexual Intercourse 

It is unwise to confuse sex for love and love for sex. Sex needs love to be relevant and meaningful; however, love does not need sex to be relevant and meaningful. A person can have sex with another person simply for the pleasure all while possessing no love for that individual. Examples of this, of course, is prostitution or rape. Such acts of sexual intercourse are meaningless because there is no love in the act of sex. That kind of sex serves a selfish purpose, but has no ultimate meaning. And of course, sex isn’t necessary for love to exist, to be relevant and be meaningful (I will expound upon this later when I define love). Now sex may be found in one of the definitions of love (Eros—I’ll get to this soon), but Eros is within the definition of love; love is ultimately selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. A distorted desire is often misconstrued, mistaken as love. It is unwise to confuse lust for love. 

Even if love is not an emotion, a feeling, or even the act of sexual intercourse, does it matter if love can be clearly defined? If so, why does it matter? Consider what is written: 

(1 Corin. 13:1–3, NLT)
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.”

The definition of love matters because GOD is love and GOD created us in His image (Gen. 1:27). For without GOD, love would not matter because life would ultimately be meaningless and purposeless. And if we are to be loving beings, it is important that we understand the definition of love. 

What Is Love? 

(1 Corin. 13:4–8, NLT)
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!”

Love Is an Action 

Though it is not specifically and solely the act of sexual intercourse, love is definitely an action; it is something we do. Read verses 4–7 again and take notice of the fourteen different active descriptions the Holy Spirit (via Paul) uses to define love (patience, kindness, etc.). It’s important to note that this is not Paul’s definition of love, but the definition of love written by Paul while he was inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

Love Is a Choice 

The fourteen active descriptions are actions that we choose to do or not to do. There’s a nonsensical saying that states, “You can’t help who you love.” But yes—you can! We get to decide if we love and who we will love if we decide to love. And this is because we have free will (discussed in Lesson 41). 

Also, there’s a saying that states, “I fell in love.” It sounds so romantic, but this is also nonsense. Love is not a hole or trapdoor we can fall in. You don’t fall in love any more than you fall out of love. Love is a choice. You choose to love. You choose not to love. People do not fall in love; people decide to love. People do, however, fall into the trapdoor of lust. When people talk about love at first sight, what they really mean is lust at first sight. Now is it possible to possess love for someone at first sight? General love? Yes. Complete love? No. Love in the sense that you want the best for someone? Yes. Love in the sense that you desire the best for someone despite all his/her flaws and mistakes? No. It’s not possible to love someone so deeply at first sight because you wouldn’t know the flaws and mistakes associated with the person. And how is it possible to truly love someone unless you love despite the flaws and mistakes? 

Love, in a nutshell, is the good you will show toward someone and/or others. It’s treating someone else with the qualities described in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7. Take the Supreme Superhero (Jesus) as an example (after all, the Savior is the definition of love and the ultimate example of love): 

(John 15:12–13, NLT)
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

However, the Supreme Superhero goes even further by commanding us to love our enemies (Matt. 5:43–48). And then the Savior did exactly that—Jesus went out and laid down His life for us by dying on the cross as our atoning sacrifice while being mocked, spat on, beaten, lacerated, and murdered by those who hated Him for no good reason. Love is caring more for others than for self because love is selfless. Love is sacrificial. Love is unconditional. 

Love Defined 

Unlike the English language, which uses the one word of love ambiguously, the ancient Greek language used different words to define the one word of love so that people wouldn’t be confused as to which definition of love should be inferred. Examine the four following words and their associated definitions: 

• Storge/stergo—This is a familial love such as the love of a parent toward offspring and vice versa. Devotion can be a key word associated with this type of love.

• Phileo—This love is companionable and relational. It means brotherly/sisterly love or friendship. It carries the idea of two or more people who feel compatible with each other.

• Eros—This is the word for sexual or romantic love. In fact, this is where we get the word erotic. This word implies a sexual demand. And because it is unwise to confuse lust for love, it is imperative that we not confuse lust for Eros. The passion and intimacy of Eros is to be confined within the covenant bond between husband and wife, as was designed by the Designer. Lust is only about the pelvic thrust, to seek pleasure and fulfill a selfish desire. Lust is committed only to fulfilling a distorted desire whereas love (eros) is committed to fulfilling the needs of the partner within the covenant union. Therefore, be wise: pursue love and reject thoughts produced from the lustful lair of the Liar—they are lies created in the cave of the contemptible con artist and Counterfeiter, the Salesman that is Satan. Don’t buy the lies. Even a lustful look is adultery in the heart (Matt. 5:28). Money can’t buy you love. And no—that’s actually not from the Beatles—it’s from the Song of Solomon 8:7.

• Agape—This is the highest and deepest level of love. This is the ultimate love and is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. This is the love of GOD. This is the type of love all superheroes should possess. 

(1 Pet. 4:8, NLT)
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”

Love covers a multitude of sins? Is that true? Yes! In fact, that is exactly what Jesus did for us:

(Rom. 5:6–8, NLT)
“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

For love, compassion is the key and empathy is everything: 

(Luke 23:34, NLT)
“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

Jesus is able to see us as His precious people, not a pervasive problem such as a plague. The Savior sees us as eternal beings, not mortal enemies. The Supreme Superhero sees us as family who belong in His heavenly home, not failures to be flung in the fiery furnace. Hell is where evil belongs and will ultimately be quarantined, but GOD doesn’t desire for us to go to that awful place. In fact, the Lord desires for everyone to be saved and doesn’t take any delight in the destruction of the wicked (Ezek. 18:21–23; 33:11; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). 

Jesus is our awesome, ardent advocate who absorbed for us the penalty of sin. Apostle Paul assists us by providing an important reminder that helps us put people into proper perspective: 

(Eph. 6:12, NLT)
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

It is of the utmost importance that all superheroes remember this: we are to hate evil/sin, but we are to love people. 

Conclusion 

1. Love never fails. 

(Song of Sol. 8:7, NLT)
“Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned.”

2. Love perfects us. 

(1 John 4:12–18, NLT)
“No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”

3. Love is supreme. 

(1 Corin. 13:13, NLT)
“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”

Reflection 

If you want to be a superhero, you must possess love and choose to love others. A superhero can only be a superhero if the hero first and foremost possesses love for others. Do you possess love for others? If not, you resemble a villain. But wait—is that a fair statement? Consider the words of the Supreme Superhero:

(Matt. 12:30, ESV)
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

The late and great Martin Luther King Jr. once posed a powerful question to the clergymen of Alabama in his renowned letter, “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” He asked, “So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love?” 

And that’s not a fallacy of false dilemma—if we’re not loving others, then…we’re not loving people. Therefore, I implore everyone to examine the motives and intentions of each and every choice/decision you make. Are you able to recognize good from bad? Right from wrong? Are you living a life of love or hate? For if you’re not living a life of love, what are you doing and what is your life? I choose to live an extreme life of love (not lust), and I urge you to do the same. Don’t scatter. Be a gatherer. Ironically, the best way to be a gatherer of people is to scatter seeds of love. How many seeds of love can you sow today? 

So ask yourself, do you love others? From where did you get this desire to love? Do you feel compelled to act out from love? If so, why do you think that is? All superheroes possess love for people. If you love people, then you possess one of the qualities of a superhero and you just might be one someday! 

Superhero: Armor of GOD: Powerful Prayer (2/2)

---

If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below…

---

This is Part 22 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love. In Part 5, we learned that superheroes are solution seekers. In Part 6, we saw that solution seekers are willing to sacrifice if necessary. In Part 7, we saw that sacrificial love steps forward and offers service. In Part 8, we saw that superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty. In Part 9, we saw that superheroes never give up! In Part 10, we saw that superheroes don’t need recognition – they are motivated only by love! In Part 11, we saw that relationships matter and teamwork works! In Part 12, we saw that the struggle is real; however, Jesus is the real solution to our real problems. In Part 13, we saw that despite problems, superheroes are more than conquerors! In Part 14, we saw that true superheroes do not have identity crises – they know who they are even if others don’t! In Part 15, we saw that superheroes are always ready to fight evil with the belt of Truth. In Part 16, we saw that superheroes are always ready to resist evil by putting on the breastplate of righteousness. In Part 17, we saw that superheroes are always ready to walk with purpose. In Part 18, we saw that superheroes are always ready to deflect the enemy’s attacks by holding up the shield of faith. In Part 19, we saw that by wearing the helmet of salvation, superheroes always protect themselves from evil penetrating their minds with parasitic seeds of thought that contaminate, corrupt, and control. In Part 20, we saw that by using the Sword of the Spirit, superheroes can not only block the enemy’s attacks, but also drive the enemy away. In Part 21, we saw that it matters to whom we pray.

In this message (Part 22), we will see that prayer has a purpose; furthermore, persistent and purposeful prayer with proper priority is a powerful weapon for the Savior’s superheroes.

---

 

We are instructed to pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion (Ephesians 6:18-20).

But what is prayer? Are there examples of prayer we should follow? Is there a right or wrong way to pray? How often should we pray? Why do we need to pray? What if GOD doesn’t answer our prayers?Many people have many questions regarding prayer; many people have many different opinions regarding prayer. But what does GOD’s Word tell us about prayer? How does prayer fit in with the whole armor of GOD? Why is prayer mentioned with the Sword of the Spirit? How can prayer be a powerful weapon?

What Is Prayer?

In short, prayer is simply talking to GOD. It is the direct communication of the human soul with the Lord who created the soul. Because prayer acknowledges our lack of power and also petitions acknowledgment from the Ultimate Power, the act of praying is an act of humility. The very act of producing a prayer is to admit that we need GOD. This means that prayer combats pride. For this reason alone, prayer is a weapon associated with the Sword of the Spirit that helps us cut pride out of our lives. The powerful weapon of prayer can be activated by softly spoken words that come from your audible voice, but it can also be activated from a silent scream from within your soul. Communication is the key to unlocking the power of prayer. As the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia puts it, “Christian prayer in its full New Testament meaning is prayer addressed to God as Father, in the name of Christ as Mediator, and through the enabling grace of the indwelling Spirit” (“Prayer” by J. C. Lambert).

An Example Of Prayer:

In Luke 11:1 (see also Matthew 6:9-13), one of the disciples requested that Jesus teach them how to pray. Jesus then gave them an example of a prayer:

“Jesus said, ‘This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.” ‘ “
(Luke 11:2-4) -NLT

Notice that the prayer had three parts; notice also the order in which the parts were given:

1. GOD’s Kingdom is priority number one (Your will be done, not mine: Matthew 6:33; 26:39).
2. Secondly, may we receive all that we need (gratitude and contentment: Philippians 4:11-13).
3. Lastly, keep us from all that we do not need (faith/trust in GOD: Psalm 9:10; 28:7; 31:14; 37:5; 84:12; Proverbs 3:5-8).

Just as GOD provided for the Israelites with daily manna (Exodus 16:4,19), GOD is to be our ‘daily bread’ (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4). We need GOD every new day just as much as we did the day before. We must communicate with GOD on a daily basis. In Luke 11:5-13, after Jesus provides an example of prayer, Jesus then teaches His disciples two important things to remember in regards to prayer:

1. We need to be persistent in our prayers.
2. GOD is faithful and will provide.

Is There A Right Or Wrong Way To Pray?

Those of us who attend church have most likely noticed that people tend to both worship and pray differently from each other. Some people are standing up, but others are sitting down, kneeling, or even prostrating themselves flat on the ground. Some people have their hands open, some have their hands closed, but some have their hands lifted up as if trying to touch GOD in Heaven. Is there a right or wrong way to pray? Are we holy when we close our eyes during prayer and unholy if our eyes are open? Is it better to pray in a church building or out in nature? Do we have to bow our heads? Do we have to put our hands together? Should we pray in the morning when we get up or at night before we go to bed? Are there certain words we need to say in our prayers? What if we forget to say those specific words or phrases? How do we begin our prayers? What is the proper way to close a prayer? If we don’t pray properly, will our prayers not be answered? Are prayers only answered for those who give the most money to the church? Does GOD not answer my prayers because I’ve been struggling with sins? These questions, and many others, are frequently asked questions regarding prayer.

Jesus shined some light on what’s important in prayer:

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!”
(Matthew 6:5-8) -NLT

Prayer is genuine, open, honest, and real. So, talk. It’s that simple. However, some people might wonder why we need to pray if GOD already knows what we need. Well, prayer is not a means of asking for what we want. Prayer is a connection between us and GOD; in prayer, we are connected with our Christ-compass and it keeps us in alignment with GOD’s will. A healthy relationship requires constant communication. Therefore, talk. However, pray with purpose. Prayer is a way for us to discover what we need rather than request what we want.

“The Holy Spirit takes hold of us in our human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best things to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words. God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet he also understands the desires of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, his holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny.”
(Romans 8:26-27) -TPT

We don’t always need to know what to pray for or exactly how to pray, but we do need to pray at all times and on every occasion. Philippians 4:6 instructs us to pray about everything. Everything? Yes. 1Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us to pray without ceasing. Without ceasing? At all times? Yes. Even without speaking words, our soul can still cry out to the Lord. GOD must be in everything we do, not just some of what we do. Jesus did not provide to us an exact prayer to repeat; rather, He gave us a simple example to follow. There does not exist a magic formula to prayer. In fact, it’s possible to say all the right things yet not believe in any of them. GOD’s Word tells us that GOD looks at our hearts (1Samuel 16:7).

Praying expectantly is the natural response to living out a faith-filled life. GOD is there, GOD is aware, and GOD does care. Jesus clearly teaches us to expect answers to prayers that are specific and persistent. However, Scripture never presumes prayer will remove all suffering. It’s important to know what to expect while praying expectantly. We are to expect that GOD’s will is the way and that GOD’s will is what is best and right. Should we expect answers for prayers? Absolutely. But we should not be so naive to believe that the answer will arrive as we demand or believe it should. Our answer may arrive as a “no” while we are still alive or it may even arrive after we leave Earth to be in the presence of GOD. Consider Joseph from the Bible. If we had been with Joseph, we might have prayed for him to be delivered from his brothers and not to be sold into slavery. But if that prayer was granted, Joseph never would have saved Egypt and the lives of his family later on. If we had been with Mary and Martha, we might have prayed for Lazarus not to die. But if that prayer had been granted, the glory of GOD would not have been revealed when Jesus rose him from the dead. How many people prayed for Jesus to save Himself and be spared from crucifixion? Had that prayer been granted, Jesus would not have accomplished His mission to save all of humanity. We are to expect answers to our prayers, but we must above all else expect that GOD’s will be done. Prayer is not our last resort before deciding to abort because we came up short; prayer is our first concentrated effort and direct line of support. Prayer is not our last option before collapsing into a coffin; it is our first response of action, second to none, priority number one. The power behind prayer is the purpose that propels it forward.

Praying persistently provides opportunity for us to discover the value for whatever it is we are praying. If something is important, we make it a priority and continue to ask GOD for a way. Persistent prayer makes us more Christlike by tempering our human selfishness and by strengthening our divine dependence. The Bible reveals that many believers prayed for months or even years before finally receiving an answer. Persistent prayer must be met with patience and the ability to forbear. The Bible reveals that people who were commended with great faith often didn’t receive immediate answers to prayers. Faithful prayer is not distinguished by the immediacy of answers but by the persistency of the petitions. Expecting immediate answers is a sign of immaturity. Christ’s ministry, from conception to the cross, took years to fulfill. The Jewish people had prayed for centuries for their Messiah. And when Jesus finally arrived, some people prayed for Him to provide immediate political, military, or economic deliverance, but GOD had a better plan. We trust our Savior because He works perfectly, not because He works quickly. GOD is not limited by our time and He answers prayers in His perfect time. We do not need to see the result of our prayers in our lifetime to know that GOD will do what is best and right in the eternal picture. GOD knits together a blanket of love of His purposes from the yarn of our prayers and circumstances, but in His knowledge, His power, and His time.

Prayers that are answered too soon can create complacency and can desensitize us to our need for patience through our persistence. Understanding GOD’s primary goal that our prayers is for our spiritual transformation helps explain the delay for some requests. We may desire a change in our current circumstances when GOD desires first a change within our hearts, minds, character, and overall attitudes. We want quick solutions, but GOD wants growth in our patience and trust. We may want a problem out of our lives when GOD wants us to learn how to overcome those problems so that we might be able to help others overcome at a later time. We may want an end to the pressure of life’s demands, but GOD might desire for that pressure to transform us into spiritual diamonds. Delayed answers do not necessarily mean that our prayers are wrong, but neither is it wrong to consider altering or refining our prayers. For prayers, it is most important that our petitions are in alignment with GOD’s will. If our prayers are in alignment with GOD’s Word and GOD’s ways, then we may be persistent in our prayers. However, patience must accompany persistence or else our persistence can transform into our own pain that plagues us with an irrational fear of unfulfilled purpose.

Praying in GOD’s will within the boundary of righteousness is necessary for praying what is right. If a football player runs too far in either direction of left or right, he will be out of bounds. Only while staying within the set boundaries and progressing forward can a football player achieve a first down or score a touchdown. We can view the boundary on the right as the line of righteousness and the boundary on the left as the line of wisdom or prudence. GOD grants whatever we ask in prayer if it is in agreement with His will. We head in the wrong direction if we pray for what is wrong in hopes of arriving at the right destination. Asking for what is wrong to hopefully end up in the right cannot be GOD’s will. Discerning righteousness keeps our decisions and petitions in prayer from going out of bounds. GOD’s Word is more authoritative than personal feelings or priorities. Rearranging the order to accommodate personal agenda is to pray outside of GOD’s will and we will find ourselves outside the boundary of righteousness. Our feelings become our authority whenever they determine the priorities of our prayers. Praying in Jesus’ name requires that we give His Word authority over our desires. A football player’s obedience to the rules of the game ensures his continuance in the game without penalties. Likewise, a Christian’s obedience to GOD’s Word (rules) ensures righteousness and his/her continuance in life without penalties (negative consequences brought about by sinful disobedience). One simply cannot know what is righteous unless that person knows GOD’s Word. Because “it is written” for a reason, we must know what is written, understand what is written, and apply what is written to our daily decisions.

Praying in GOD’s wisdom within the boundary of prudence keeps us from being nearsighted and noncompliant. As a Christian, we should not make decisions based on worldly priorities. We must be mindful of our motives. The boundary of righteousness determines whether our decision is moral; the boundary of prudence helps us determine if the decision is wise. Are our prayers loving? Loving prayers place others’ needs and interests before our own (Philippians 2:3-8). We must consider others as we weigh the appropriateness of our prayers (1Thessalonians 4:9-12). We should not pray for GOD to bless choices that disregard the welfare of other loved ones. We should not pray to be lifted up if our elevation causes others to sink. Instead, we should pray to be lifted up so that we may be in a position to help pull others out of despair. It is wise to do our best and then pray for GOD to take care of the rest. Are our prayers legitimate? Legitimate prayers weigh GOD’s interests above our own (1Corinthians 10:31). While there is nothing intrinsically evil about a life lived without concerns, Christians should question whether such a carefree life is in alignment with Biblical requirements to love others. If GOD blesses us with a favorable answer to a prayer, would we use that opportunity to advance the Kingdom of GOD or to keep the blessing for selfish gain? Our prayers are in His will only when the glory of His name is our highest aim. Are our prayers responsible? We cannot pray according to GOD’s will and prioritize according to our own. Are we using our abilities in a responsible manner? We should pray for GOD to use our gifts for Jesus’ sake, rather than praying others will serve our interests. We must always listen to our own prayers with an ear as to whether they are designed to make us givers or takers. We should pray for GOD to guide us away from the desire to seek our good at the expense of others or GOD’s glory. If we are seeking for self, we are acting irresponsibly. The bottom line for responsible prayers: do they further the cause of Christ and do they further His cause without violating the principles of His Kingdom?

Praying forward is the praying ourselves into growth. We are not moving forward unless we are walking in step with GOD. The truest and deepest joys follow prayers that are loving, legitimate, and responsible. We are to consider biblical priorities over worldly pragmatics. When we depend on the quantity or quality of our prayer (or fasting or study or sacrifice) to determine its spiritual effectiveness, we imprison GOD within the limits of our abilities. GOD hears our prayers because of His mercy, not because of our mastery of them or of Him. What matters is the motive, not the mantra. We discern whether our patterns of prayer are accomplishing GOD’s purposes by asking ourselves why we are praying for what we are praying and why we are praying so habitually. As our thoughts, attitudes, and actions are increasingly controlled by the Word and by our union with Christ, our inclinations conform more and more to GOD’s will. Our prayers align with GOD’s desires, because that which grieves Him grieves us and that which pleases Him pleases us. When life becomes immersed in prayer, increasingly we understand that we take no step without GOD’s aid, and we take every step forward with His blessing.

GOD answers prayer requests based on whether they are asked according to His will and in the name of Jesus (to bring glory to Jesus). The ultimate example of prayer can be found in Matthew 26:39,42,44 when Jesus concludes His prayer by saying, “nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” In all of our prayers, we must be seeking first the Kingdom of GOD (Matthew 6:33). Like Hannah pouring out her soul (1Samuel 1:15), the proper way to pray is to pour out our hearts to GOD, being open, honest and real with GOD, as He already knows us better than we know ourselves.

Ask And It Will Be Given To You:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
(Matthew 7:7-8; see also Luke 11:5-13) -ESV

James, the brother of Jesus, explains the special stipulation to this promise of receiving after asking:

“You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”
(James 4:2-3) -NLT

Our desires need to be in alignment with GOD’s will. But knowing GOD requires faith, focus, and follow-through. Jesus promises a reward for the passionate pursuit of seeking GOD’s will. Before making requests, we should ask ourselves three important questions:

1. For what are you asking?
2. Why are you asking for this request?
3. Does this request first focus on the Kingdom of GOD?

Seek First The Kingdom of GOD:

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
(Matthew 6:33) -NLT

“Since we have this confidence, we can also have great boldness before him, for if we present any request agreeable to his will, he will hear us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we also know that we have obtained the requests we ask of him.”
(1John 5:14-15) -TPT

Praying in Jesus’ name requires placing the priorities of Christ before our own. It’s imperative that Christ comes first. Too often our prayers are like Christmas wish lists for Santa Claus rather than meaningful conversations with our Creator. GOD is not a genie in a magic lamp who exists to grant our wishes at our will. The purpose of prayer is not to get what we want. GOD is not a celestial vending machine who dispenses miracles or blessings simply because we input our ‘faith coins’ into a prayer request. We must ensure that our prayers are not spiritual coins being shoved into the celestial slot machine — methodically, ritualistically, and mechanically — with the hope of divine payout.

Proper prayer must put more trust in GOD’s will than human desire. When GOD’s people pray in the name of Jesus, they indicate that they are seeking to bring Christ the glory. To do anything in the Lord’s name means to do it for His purposes. Praying in Jesus’ name keeps our prayers mature and in proper alignment with GOD’s will. If the motive behind every prayer is for the name of GOD to be glorified, we need not doubt that He will answer according to His perfect will. Trust in GOD is not based on our circumstances but on His character. If we truly grasp the goodness of GOD, our prayers don’t seek GOD for our purposes, but to offer ourselves for His purposes.

Here is a challenging question regarding your prayers: If GOD answered all your prayers, would others’ lives be changed or only your own? Prayer is also a way to love others. We should pray for others. But we should also pray that GOD’s will be done. In the connection of prayer, the goal is to come into alignment with GOD’s will. Prayer, like love, has proper priorities: 

1. GOD
2. Others
3. Self

What If GOD Doesn’t Answer My Prayers?

Praying without doubting is to simply have faith in our loving Father and know that GOD’s will is what is best and right. We are not to believe that GOD will respond to every prayer request with a ‘yes’ answer. GOD always answers prayers with either a yes, no, not yet, not quite, or better yet. GOD often does better than what we ask for ourselves and exceeds expectations. Too often confident prayers transform into doubt simply because the answer doesn’t match our unrealistic expectations or the answer is not immediate. It is not wise to believe that our expected result is the best result; it is immature to believe that answers need to be immediate. To pray without doubt is to believe that our answer is on the way or GOD has something better in mind. Answers to prayers don’t need to accommodate specific individual demands in order to fulfill desires and bless everyone. If all personal prayers were affirmed and granted, what would keep the world from exploding into a zillion shards of personal priorities and prevent contradictions and catastrophe? Praying without doubt is recognizing that a ‘no’ answer might just be the best answer. The inconvenience of delayed prayers and even denied prayers may actually save our lives.

Before we adopt a prayer philosophy that requires GOD to provide all our wants, we must adjust our thinking to consider the limitations of our understanding. To pray without doubt is to recognize that we are finite and fallible beings, but we pray to the Eternal One who does what is best and right. We do not doubt GOD, but we may doubt ourselves. Luke 23:34 calls attention to the fact that we may not know what’s best for us even when we think we do. Proper belief is not unwavering confidence that something we want will happen but that something will happen that we will eventually recognize to be something we needed. GOD knows the future we cannot discern and consequences we cannot anticipate. His thoughts and ways are far above our own (Isaiah 55:8-9). The Bible’s message of a sovereign GOD who rules over all things in all places among all people and for eternity answers simply to calm our hearts and stimulate our prayers: “GOD is able.” It is important to thank GOD for all the ‘no’ answers. All the ‘no’ answers eventually lead to the ‘yes’ moment. Remember: when you pray, it is important to pray for the right reasons. Though there is no mandated mantra that needs to be memorized, there does exist a proper priority for prayer. Motive matters.

How Can Prayer Be A Powerful Weapon?

• GOD is the ultimate Power (Genesis 1; Exodus 7:10-14:31; 1Kings 17:14-24; 2Kings 4:2-7; Job 42:2; Jeremiah 32:27; Daniel 2:21; 3:19-27; Matthew 8:1-4; 9:27-31; 17:24-27; Mark 4:35-41; 16:1-8; Luke 1:37; 9:10-17; John 6:16-21).
• Prayer is a petition to the Powerful One.
• The High Priest has direct access to Power (Exodus 28; Hebrews 9:7).
• Jesus is both the Priest and Power (Hebrews 2:17; 4:14; 5:6; 9:12; 10:19-20).
• The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same Spirit that dwells within us (Romans 8:10-11).
• The Holy Spirit ensures that our prayers are received and understood (Romans 8:26-27).
• Because of Jesus and through the Holy Spirit, we now have direct access to Power and are able to bring our petitions straight to the Source of Power.
• GOD is love and all-good (1John 4:8,16: Psalm 106:1; 135:3; Nahum 1:7; Mark 10:18; John 3:16-17; Galatians 5:22; 2Thessalonians 1:11; Titus 3:4). Because GOD is love and all-good, GOD will hear our prayers.
• GOD is Holy (Leviticus 11:44-45; 1John 1:5; Revelation 4:8; 15:4). GOD is just (Acts 17:31; Revelation 20:12). If GOD is Holy and just, then GOD will act in His power to do what is best and what is right.
• In the end, good prevails and GOD wins (Revelation 20-22) because we know that for those who love GOD all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
• If our prayers are in alignment with GOD’s will, our prayers have the power of the inevitable victory that belongs to GOD and His people.
• Therefore, persistent and purposeful prayers with proper priority are powerful.

Persistent And Purposeful Prayer With Proper Priority Is Powerful:

Praying boldly is a right granted to us as children of GOD through the blood of Christ who died for us. We can do away with rigmarole of religious rituals, pious performances, superficial celebrations, and pseudo-sacrifices. As a child approaches a loving father, we may approach our loving Father with confidence. We do not need to depend on stodgy formulas or arcane speech. GOD is more concerned with hearing our prayers than grading their forms. If you have children of your own, you understand that you want your children to call you when they are in distress, without being timid or hesitant to do so. You want to hear from them because you are delighted to provide the best for them. With these fatherly desires in our own hearts, we discover the boldness the Father GOD expects from us (Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:5-13). Those who truly discover the power of His abiding presence of love do not reserve prayer for periods of isolated retreat when a miracle is needed. How strong can a relationship be if a child only calls the parents once in a blue moon to ask for money? Neither should we only pray once in a blue moon when we need a miracle or a blessing. If our prayers are only formal or occasional, we will miss out on the comfort and blessing of knowing we can pray anytime to our GOD who is attentive to our needs (Psalm 34:15). We may pray about mustard seeds in addition to the mountains; we may pray about colds in addition to cancer; we may pray praises of blessings in addition to petitions to problems. Super prayers are for all superheroes, even if the situation doesn’t demand a super need. As a child of GOD, we can pray confidently and boldly anytime, anywhere, with anyone, and about anything! Because prayer is a connection with the Source of Power, prayer is a powerful weapon that casts the enemy back and propels us forward in faith. Because prayer is a connection with the Source of Power, it brings Light into our lives.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
(John 1:5) -ESV

“For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness.”
(2Samuel 22:29; see also Psalm 18:28) -ESV

[ For an example of a powerful prayer, CLICK HERE ]

Superhero: Armor of GOD: Shield of Faith

---

If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below…

---

This is Part 18 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love. In Part 5, we learned that superheroes are solution seekers. In Part 6, we saw that solution seekers are willing to sacrifice if necessary. In Part 7, we saw that sacrificial love steps forward and offers service. In Part 8, we saw that superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty. In Part 9, we saw that superheroes never give up! In Part 10, we saw that superheroes don’t need recognition – they are motivated only by love! In Part 11, we saw that relationships matter and teamwork works! In Part 12, we saw that the struggle is real; however, Jesus is the real solution to our real problems. In Part 13, we saw that despite problems, superheroes are more than conquerors! In Part 14, we saw that true superheroes do not have identity crises – they know who they are even if others don’t! In Part 15, we saw that superheroes are always ready to fight evil with the belt of Truth. In Part 16, we saw that superheroes are always ready to resist evil by putting on the breastplate of righteousness. In Part 17, we saw that superheroes are always ready to walk with purpose.

In this message (Part 18), we will see that superheroes are always ready to deflect the enemy’s attacks by holding up the shield of faith.

---

 

Continuing the examination of the whole armor of GOD, we are now instructed to take up the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16).

Marvel’s superhero, Captain America, has protected himself from the enemy’s blows many times thanks to the covering provided by his shield. As superheroes who sail for the Savior, we also find protection under the covering of the Shield. Just as the shield of a Roman soldier rested on a small clip attached to his loinbelt when it wasn’t in use, our shield of faith is attached to the Belt of Truth. The conclusion is simple but extremely important to understand: your faith is attached to GOD’s Word. And we are instructed to take up the shield of faith. In other words, faith is the shield. But what is faith?

What Is Faith?

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
(Hebrews 11:1) -ESV

GOD’s Word provides the definition of faith while the direction of faith is implied by the context of everything else found within the Bible. Simply put, faith is believing that and trusting in. This definition of faith contains two aspects: intellectual assent and trust. Intellectual assent is believing something to be true. Trust is actually relying on the fact that the something is true. A bridge can help illustrate this point. Intellectual assent is recognizing that a bridge is a bridge and agreeing that it is designed to support a person who walks across on it. Believing that a bridge is designed to support the weight of a person who walks across on that bridge is the intellectual assent. But actually walking across the bridge is trusting in the bridge that it will actually support your weight and you will not fall through to your death.

Faith In What Or Whom?

It’s not enough to merely have faith. Who or what we have faith in matters. Muslims place their faith in Muhammad and Allah, Hindus place their faith in a multitude of different gods and/or goddesses, and even atheists possess faith. For example, atheists would need to have faith that everything was created by nothing, out of nothing, and for no purpose or that the universe has always eternally existed, yet it exists without reason. They would also need to have faith that everything in nature with a design is without a Designer. Atheists would need to have faith that materials could somehow collaborate in order to generate life which produces emotions, thoughts, and a will to act. They would also need to have faith that mere matter in the shape of a brain is capable of producing thoughts and that those thoughts are somehow material rather than immaterial. Atheists also place their faith in their own bodies, believing that they can fall asleep at night and still wake up breathing the next day. They also possess faith by trusting that the food another person made for him/her isn’t poisoned, that friends or co-workers aren’t engaged in a conspiracy to harm him/her, that the law of gravity won’t suddenly stop working as expected, or even that the sun won’t explode today. Every time an atheist makes plans for the future, they are doing so in faith that tomorrow exists. Many atheists also possess faith that they were created via purposeless evolution yet somehow evolved with the purpose of becoming better and better as time goes on. Oddly enough, some atheists even have faith that life on other planets exist without having any proof of such life in existence. In fact, many atheists have faith that black holes exist even though they have no personal experience that would allow them to believe in such a thing. So, in whom or what should we place our faith? It matters. Should we place our faith in our works? In religion? Well, for Christians, this faith that is our shield is not mere belief that GOD exists; rather, it is the belief that GOD exists and the trust in GOD that He will ultimately bring about what is best and what is right. Our faith is in Jesus.

Believing that Jesus was a historical figure who died from crucifixion is not enough. Even the demons believe that GOD is real and Jesus died on a cross (James 2:19). As I stated in my other article, “What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?“, belief is only the beginning in a Christian’s walk of faith; in fact, faith will launch the Christian into action. A Christian is also to perpetuate a healthy habit of confessing his/her sins, repent from sinning, walk by faith, live righteously, and live out the great commandment of loving GOD and loving others while fulfilling the great commission. Belief is only the first half – trust is the other half! We must personally and fully rely on the death of Christ as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. We must not merely believe that Jesus is the Bridge, but also walk across the Bridge of salvation which Jesus graciously provides to the other side, trusting in the Bridge to support us and save us. This is saving faith. The faith GOD requires of us for salvation is belief in what the Bible says about who Jesus is and what He accomplished and fully trusting in Jesus for that salvation (Acts 16:31). Why is this definition of faith so important? Why must trust of the unseen promise accompany acknowledgment of facts? Because “without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). Without faith, we cannot be saved (John 3:16). Without faith, the Christian life cannot be what GOD intends it to be.

Back in ancient Greece, each Spartan hoplite came together to form a phalanx. Their trust was in each other and each individual man held up his shield with all of the other shields coming together to form one larger shield. A man didn’t just believe that other Spartans were around him, but he believed in those other Spartans to see what he didn’t see and protect him as they fought with him. As Christians, we can also come together to form a faithful phalanx; in fact, GOD’s Word instructs us to do so (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). However, we must all come together with our trust ultimately in the Lord because it is only through the Lord that we will be saved (Psalm 118:8-9; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9). Faith is the shield; our faith is in Jesus; therefore, Jesus is the Shield. All throughout the Bible, it is written that GOD is our shield (Genesis 15:1; Deuteronomy 33:29; 2Samuel 22:3,31; Psalm 3:3; 5:12; 7:10; 18:2,30,35; 28:7; 33:20; 84:9,11; 91:4; 115:9-11; 119:114; 144:2; Proverbs 2:7; 30:5). Jesus is GOD; therefore, Jesus is the Shield.

Take It Up!

Again, belief is only the beginning in a Christian’s walk of faith; in fact, faith will launch the Christian into action. Is this shield of faith a given? No. We are instructed to “take up” the shield. If you don’t pick the shield up and hold it up, it won’t do you any good. Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26) because the lack of works reveals an unchanged life or a spiritually dead heart; a truly transformed life of faith is demonstrated by the works we do and is showcased by our fruit (John 15:8). How we live reveals what we believe and whether the faith we profess to have is a living faith.

Big Faith = Big Shield:

An illustration of a gladiator warrior character or sports mascot in a trojan or Spartan style helmet holding a sword and shield

There were typically two kinds of shields used in ancient warfare: one was smaller, carried upon the arm, and which could be moved and used with little effort in order to protect particular parts of the body; the other one was large, planted in front of the soldier and covered the whole person. It is the latter which is referred to in the text, as the word which describes it clearly shows. The word for “shield” is taken from the Greek word thureos, which was used by the Greeks to refer to a door that was wide in width and long in length. Paul paints a picture that the soldier was inaccessible and untouchable because it completely covered the soldier. And that is the kind of shield which Paul instructs us to have. Our shield is not just for small and specific protection for a particular part of the body; rather, our shield is to be a great barrier that covers us completely. So, how do we get this large shield? The greater the faith, the larger the covering of the shield. But what does great faith look like? Believe it or not, it looks like a child. We need faith like that of a child (Matthew 18:1-4; Mark 10:15). The Father wants what is best for you and will provide covering. At the end of it all, Jesus has made us a Home to dwell in for eternity (John 14:2). Seek GOD, rely on Him, and trust in Him. Just as children trust their earthly fathers, we should trust that our “Father who is in heaven [will] give good things to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:7-11). Children don’t typically ever doubt that their parents are going to love them and do what is best and what is right for their sake. Likewise, we don’t ever need to doubt that our Father in Heaven will do what is best and right for our sake (Luke 11:11-13).

Big Shield = Big Responsibility:

In the majority of cases, the Roman soldier’s shield was composed of multiple layers – usually six layers – of thick animal hide that had been tightly woven together. These layers were woven so tight that they became almost as strong as steel. Though strong and durable, the shield needed care. Because the Roman soldier’s shield was made of leather, it was important for the soldier to take good care of it. Being leather, it could eventually become stiff and breakable over a period of time. If dried out, it would form cracks and become unreliable. Consequently, a soldier had to maintain his shield by rubbing oil into the leather to keep it soft, supple, and pliable. Likewise, we need to maintain our faith with fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Without daily anointing of the Holy Spirit, your faith will become hard, stiff, brittle, and breakable. A faith-life that is ignored nearly always breaks and leaves a person vulnerable during battle with the enemy. Too many believers make the incredibly tragic mistake of thinking they can stay under constant protective covering and keep moving forward in the walk with GOD on the steam of their past experiences, but no believer can fuel the fire of the faith-furnace on past experiences. Our walk with GOD is an ever-present daily experience. Therefore, make sure you spend time alone with GOD every day in the Word and in prayer. 

Faith Deflects Fiery Darts:

What are the fiery darts? Doubt? Fear? Perhaps a professor launches challenging questions that shake your faith? Maybe you suddenly lose your stable job? Perhaps there is an unexpected death of a loved one? Maybe a natural disaster tears apart your home? Regardless of what these darts are, they are all surprise attacks from Satan, an ambush from the adversary. While under attack, people tend to wonder if GOD is there, aware, or even cares. If these fiery darts are not blocked, they will pierce and penetrate.

Ancient soldiers used the large shield to hide under when archers would launch a barrage of arrows toward them. In the 2006 movie, 300, even the courageous Spartans had been temporarily immobilized while hiding under their shields from arrows that rained down on them from the Persians. But as soon as the arrows stopped, they were able to march forward once again.

Scripture warns us that these arrows launched by Satan from the fiery pits of Hell are themselves fiery. The Greek word used to describe these particular “darts” is a specific and ancient word of warfare. Thucydides, the ancient Greek writer, used the identical Greek expression to depict especially terrible arrows that were equipped to carry fire. All fires start with either a single spark or a flickering flame that fans out. The goal of the arrows of fire is to cease progress of the soldiers and make sure the army doesn’t advance forward. If the soldiers can’t advance forward in the moment, they might just believe that they will never be able to advance forward and then decide to retreat and flee in fear or surrender in submission. If the fiery dart enters you, it would seem that the fire would burn within you and consume you just as the fire of Hell would also consume you. Fire-bearing arrows were used to inflict damage and/or destruction on a fortified place or an encampment. And since your body is the living temple of the Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 6:19), Satan desires to burn the building down. 

Before a Roman soldier went out to war, he typically placed his shield in water and allowed it to become saturated. The reason for this is because the enemies used arrows that carried fire. But even when those flaming arrows came at the soldier, the saturated surface of the shield would help extinguish the flaming arrow, or at the very least, prevent the flame from transferring from that arrow to him. Likewise, we need to keep our shield of faith completely saturated with “the washing of water with the word” (Ephesians 5:26). Our Word-saturated shields possess the power to extinguish the flaming arrows, or at the very least, prevent us from being consumed by the fire. Think about it: the shield is maintained by oil and water. The oil symbolizes the fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit and the water symbolizes GOD’s Word. Are you maintaining your shield? Preventative maintenance is better than corrective surgery. Do not wait until you see the cracks in your shield before you decide to care for it. All the enemy needs to penetrate the fortified structure of your living temple is one opening. 

Another thought regarding these fiery darts is that this might be a reference to arrows with poison tips. This is also a good analogy. The poison of fear spreads just as fast as fire, if not faster. For this reason, ancient Israelite soldiers were commanded to go home and not join in the battle if they were full of fear (Deuteronomy 20:8). However, GOD’s Word repeatedly informs us that we are not to fear. In fact, the phrase “do not fear” is found 38 times in the Bible (ESV), the phrase “do not be afraid” is found 33 times, and the phrase “fear not” is found 34 times. Those alone add to 105 times we are told not to fear. But then if we add how many times we have been commanded not to worry, not to be anxious, or that we should rely upon GOD, the picture becomes clear: we are not to fear. In fact, Jesus provides a good reason why we shouldn’t fear finite and fallible humans:

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
(Matthew 10:28; see also, Luke 12:5) -ESV

From the beginning until the end, GOD has been in control and always will be in control. The first fiery dart Satan ever launched at humanity was aimed at the heart and this is why the heart is the start and we must wear the breastplate of righteousness to protect our hearts. Knowing how much GOD loved Adam and Eve, Satan targeted Adam and Eve. Knowing how much Adam loved Eve, Satan targeted Eve. The first fiery dart was doubt, denial, and deception (Genesis 3:1). The second fiery dart was pride (Genesis 3:5). The ultimate end goal of all fiery darts is to first tear your life apart and then tear you away from GOD. In fact, this is evident in the book of Job; Satan desired to tear Job’s life apart with intentions of ultimately tearing Job away from GOD. And GOD allowed Satan to launch his fiery arrows at Job so that He could prove that He is our Shield by protecting Job from his accuser. GOD’s reversal tactic was also revealed in Jesus. Jesus allowed death to overcome Him (John 10:18) so that He could in turn conquer death (Luke 24:5-7). From the beginning, GOD allowed the temporary separation of humanity from Him so that He can conquer evil and reunite us all with Him under His covering. The complete picture of our story reveals GOD’s power and love as our Shield.

The Shield Is Spiritual:

A common misconception about the shield of faith is that this shield will protect us from all physical follies and mayhem from mismanagement. The shield of faith is, in fact, spiritual. In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego held up their shields of faith while in the fiery furnace. King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw them in the fire if they did not fall down and worship the gods and the golden image he set up. The three men of faith essentially responded by proclaiming that GOD could remove them from physical harm if He wanted to do so, but that even if GOD didn’t save them from the physical fire, they knew they would never encounter the spiritual fire of Hell (Daniel 3:17-18). It is important to realize that these men of faith were thrown into the physical fire. Their faith did not prevent them from experiencing the physical fire in the furnace. In this specific story, GOD miraculously intervened and acted as their physical shield. But that’s not always the case. 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were mentioned in the book of Daniel and so Daniel should also be examined. Daniel also held up his shield of faith in the den with lions (Daniel 6:22). But why? Because he refused to cave into demands to worship the king and was discovered praying to GOD (Daniel 6:11). If society ever gets to that point again, we must know how to respond in faith so that we will honor the Lord rather than people (Acts 4:19-20; 5:29). Remember: Jesus told us that if we refuse to acknowledge Him before people on Earth, He won’t acknowledge us before the Father in Heaven (Matthew 10:32-33).

What fiery darts have you experienced? If you haven’t experienced any fiery darts, I assure you that you most certainly will. Fiery darts look a lot like persecution and/or tribulation. It would be an enormous mistake to assume that the shield of faith completely covers our earthly bodies or physical possessions. The shield of faith is a spiritual shield and covers our soul in eternity. Both apostle Paul and the Lord Jesus warned us in advance that in this life, we will have trouble and experience pain and suffering; however, Jesus also gave us a promise and a reason to trust in Him:

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
(2Timothy 3:12) -ESV

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33) -NLT

Is your shield of faith paper thin and easy to tear apart or is it like Captain America’s shield and able to withstand the hardest of blows? Is it oiled and saturated and able to extinguish the flaming arrows? How confident is your trust in the Lord? This shield doesn’t just stop the arrows, but it also extinguishes the fire. It’s easy to have faith when everything seems to be going right, but how is your faith when it all starts to fall apart? When everything seems to be at its worst, do you trust GOD to have your best interest? Consider the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. What can we learn from the heroes of faith?

GOD declares us righteous when we have faith and trust in Him (Genesis 15:6). What you do cannot be separated from what you believe (Deuteronomy 27:9-10; Matthew 7:21). Jesus said no one’s faith in Israel was greater than the centurion who believed Jesus could accomplish His will by mere command from a distance (Luke 7: 2-10). We need to move from belief that to trust in. Are you willing to walk on the Bridge, even if that bridge appears to be shaky and unreliable? Even if there are gaps between the planks? In China, there exists a bridge that’s about 500 feet high with gaps between the planks. On this bridge, many people challenge themselves to walk by faith:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”
(Proverbs 3:5-7) -ESV

Understand this: GOD doesn’t promise us explanations for everything, but He does promise us an escape for whatever may come our way (1Corinthians 10:13). If the escape happens to be death, then life still awaits us:

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
(John 11:25-26) -ESV

It all boils down to trust in GOD. We know that all things are possible with GOD (Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37). In fact, greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world (1John 4:4)!

The one being protected by the shield is unable to fight. Getting behind the shield is a purely defensive position and all trust is placed in the shield. Sometimes we just need to wait until the fiery arrows stop falling. Not all superheroes are witnessed flying in action; not all boxers are seen swinging. Boxers sometimes need to take up their gloves and block the opponent’s attacks. While behind the Shield, we simply need to be still and know that GOD is GOD (Psalm 37:5-7; 46:10).

We may have pain and suffering in this lifetime, but the final outcome is that we are more than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8:37) and we win in the end. Jesus will wipe away every tear and we will live in eternal joy (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17; 21:4). Our faith is in Jesus and His promise of our eternal joy. The shield of faith is constructed by our belief and is held together by every word of GOD. But do you know GOD’s Word? What’s holding your belief together? What transforms your belief into trust?

And because the shield of faith is so important, it is written that above all, or in all circumstances, we are to take up the shield of faith. The phrase Paul used is taken from the Greek phrase epi pasin. The word epi means over. The word pasin means all or everything. Rather than referring to being more important than the other pieces of armor, the phrase epi pain describes position over the other pieces of armor. Therefore, it means that this shield is out in front as a covering. Faith is meant to be out in front! Faith was never meant to be held next to your side or to be timidly held behind your back. Faith is our covering. Are you covered? For a soldier in GOD’s army (or any army), the shield is not optional – it’s a requirement. Paul wrote to Timothy and emphasized the importance of this shield: “wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith” (1Timothy 1:18-19). In other words, by ignoring or neglecting the maintaining of their faith, some brothers and sisters in the Lord freely chose to travel down the wrong path that eventually led them to being vulnerable to the enemy’s attack. Again, remember that preventative maintenance on a ship is better than an emergency evacuation plan due to the ship sinking out of neglect from proper inspection and correction. 

So, does the Shield of Faith work? In the words of Peggy Carter from the 2011 movie, Captain America: The First Avenger, after firing a gun at Steve Rogers while he was holding the shield in front of him, I will also say, “Yes, I think it works.”

 

Superhero: Armor of GOD: Shoes of Readiness

---

If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below…

---

This is Part 17 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love. In Part 5, we learned that superheroes are solution seekers. In Part 6, we saw that solution seekers are willing to sacrifice if necessary. In Part 7, we saw that sacrificial love steps forward and offers service. In Part 8, we saw that superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty. In Part 9, we saw that superheroes never give up! In Part 10, we saw that superheroes don’t need recognition – they are motivated only by love! In Part 11, we saw that relationships matter and teamwork works! In Part 12, we saw that the struggle is real; however, Jesus is the real solution to our real problems. In Part 13, we saw that despite problems, superheroes are more than conquerors! In Part 14, we saw that true superheroes do not have identity crises – they know who they are even if others don’t! In Part 15, we saw that superheroes are always ready to fight evil with the belt of Truth. In Part 16, we saw that superheroes are always ready to resist evil by putting on the breastplate of righteousness.

In this message (Part 17), we will see that superheroes are always ready to walk with purpose.

---

 

Continuing the examination of the whole armor of GOD, we are now instructed to put on the shoes of readiness (Ephesians 6:15).

Marvel’s superhero, Daredevil, is a great example of having feet of readiness. In his true civilian identity, Matthew Michael Murdock is a skilled and respected New York attorney, detective, tracker, and interrogation expert, as well as being an expert marksman. But the amazing thing about this superhero is that he is blind! However, Daredevil – though he is blind – is always alert and ready to respond appropriately to any situation and is prepared to dodge danger and evade evil. But not only is Daredevil ready to avoid the attacks of his adversaries, he is also ready to effectively combat evil and accomplish good.

Many people might believe Daredevil to be far-fetched fairytale nonsense, but there are numerous accounts of people being amazing despite being blind – click on the examples to see their inspirational stories:

• 7 Amazing Blind People
• Three Tales of Inspiring Blind People
• Inspiring America: Two Blind Brothers Curing Blindness With Clothing
• Helen Keller

So, what are the shoes of readiness? What purpose did shoes serve for a Roman soldier? What purpose do these spiritual shoes serve for us? The shoes were primarily composed of two parts: the greave and the shoe itself. The greave was a fitted piece of bronze or brass that began at the top of the knee and extended down past the lower leg, finally resting on the upper portion of the foot. The shoes were equipped with spikes on the bottom. How does this apply to our lives as superheroes for the Savior? Well, imagine a solider being completely covered with protective armor yet having bare and exposed feet. Just one rock, glass shard, or nail could bring a soldier down to his knees, trip him up and cause him to be overcome in battle. Because the feet carry the soldier and direct him to the battle and through the battle, protection for the feet are necessary.

For example, in Greek mythology, the most enduring story of the death of Achilles describes how one single arrow shot from a man named Paris landed in the one spot Achilles happened to be vulnerable – his heel. The one area of exposed weakness was enough to bring the great warrior down in defeat. Another example can be found in the comedic 1990 movie, Home Alone. In a hilarious scene of boobytraps and mishaps, the criminal, Marv, steps on a nail with his bare foot and then falls down stairs:

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”
(Ephesians 5:15-16) -NASB

May you also understand that it’s not necessary to have physical feet in order to put on the shoes of readiness. This is a spiritual war and the spiritual armor still applies to those who don’t have physical legs. There have been many people who have either lost their legs or were born without legs yet they accomplished good deeds in life. Consider the following examples:

• Sir Douglas Bade
• Zuly Sanguino
• Shwanda Corbett

Stand Your Ground:

The spikes on the bottom of the Roman soldier’s shoes helped him to have firm footing and prevent him from being pushed back or slip and fall down. Scripture tells us that we are to stand in the confidence of knowing that we have on the shoes of readiness given by the gospel of peace. The word “peace” is taken from the Greek word eirene, an old word that conveys the idea of a peace that prevails or a conquering peace. When you have strapped on that peace and you have peace on the bottom of your feet, you are immovable. This peace helps us stand our ground and hold you in place when the enemy tries to drive you back. The person who has the footing in peace is like a tree with deep roots that won’t get knocked down during a storm. In Ephesians 6:14, 1Corinthians 16:13, and 2Corinthians 1:24, for example, we are instructed to “stand.” It’s interesting to note that the majority of verses in the New Testament that have to do with standing also have to do with faith. It’s time to take a stand. Stand your ground! Don’t allow the enemy to push you back!

Dodging Danger; Evading Evil:

Due to fallen humanity’s inclination toward evil and war, it is estimated that there are about 110 million land mines throughout the world that are still in the ground right now. That’s what we created! Think: What are we creating? An estimated equal amount of mines are in stockpiles waiting to be used or destroyed. If de-mining efforts remain at about the same rate as they are now, and no new mines are planted, it is estimated to take over 1,000 years to get rid of all the world’s active land mines. Research declares that about every 20 seconds, someone in the world gets injured or dies due to mines. And that’s merely the danger of human physical warfare. Now imagine how many ‘mines’ have been strategically placed in the spiritual war that is waging all around us.

[Recommend Reading: Is Religion the Cause of Most Wars?]

Even after war is over, the remnants of war remains; wounds still must heal – both physically and mentally. The full extent of war’s destruction is evident in the aftermath through the process of rebuilding. The spiritual war was won when Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross and then rose again on the third day; however, there are still traps for those who refuse GOD’s gift of grace and mercy. There are traps for those of us who have accepted GOD’s gift of grace! Even though the enemy has been defeated, the spiritual mines still remain active. Until Christ returns and takes us to the New Earth under the New Heavens (Isaiah 65:17-25; 2Peter 3:13; Revelation 21-22), this current life is still Operation Relentless Rescue.

Observe. Think! Analyze. Be aware. Do you truly believe that the temptations which come your way are merely coincidental? Is it possible that Satan knows your selfish desires? Do they seem too subtle to be certain? The physical enemy plants physical mines where there is a likelihood for people to travel; likewise, spiritual mines are also planted in places where people frequently travel through life.

Like the birds in the 2003 movie, Finding Nemo, many people scream, “Mine! Mine! Mine!” Many people are so accustomed to saying, “mine” for selfish reasons that when the word is heard, they believe the word to be a proclamation of possession. Like many people, I am also screaming, “Mine!”; however, I am screaming for your sake, not mine. Consider this message of mine to be yet another warning. This is just one of many warnings I will preach.

Our culture that is contaminated by corruption of the Counterfeiter has planted millions of mines within our advertisement and entertainment industries (see my article, “Reflection and Direction“). Be careful: these mines look like your desires. All mines are strategically placed around sex, money, title/position, stimulants, and material possessions. Why do you think this would be so? Well, Jesus told us the answer:

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
(Matthew 26:41) -ESV

Those who work in the entertainment and advertisement industries know that the flesh is weak – that’s why they promote their products in the appealing ways that they do! We must put on the shoes of readiness and watch our steps or we will find that we won’t even have a leg to stand on. We better watch our steps or we will lose our way. If we’re not careful, we’ll not only lose a limb or life, but we can also lose our purpose and then our eternal joy in Heaven will instead be eternal sorrow and anguish in Hell. Consider the wisdom of what is written:

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
(Matthew 16:26) -ESV

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
(Proverbs 14:12) -NASB

• It may be tempting to allow the anger within to explode outward, but do not sin in your anger (Genesis 4:5-7; Ephesians 4:26-27). #Mine 💣💥
• It may be tempting to puff up with pride, but don’t walk into anger, step into that argument, and allow poisonous words to spill out from your mouth (Ephesians 4:29-31). #Mine 💣💥
• It may be tempting to see if the grass is greener on the other side, but don’t walk over boundaries and step into another person’s romantic relationship (Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21). #Mine 💣💥
• It may be tempting to get credit and receive praise for something you didn’t do, but don’t walk into dishonesty and dishonor by stepping into another person’s place of honor (Proverbs 3:27; Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:3). #Mine 💣💥
• It may be tempting to immerse yourself in the entrancement of technology, but don’t walk into a dead end by stepping into isolation (Genesis 2:18; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Proverbs 18:1; 1Corinthians 12:14). #Mine 💣💥
• It may be tempting to exchange personal information for the sake of friendship, but don’t walk down Disrespectful Drive or Slander Street by stepping into the realm of gossip (Exodus 23:1; Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 11:12-13; 20:19; James 4:11). #Mine 💣💥
• It may be tempting to compromise an area of Truth to experience ‘fun’ or receive pleasure, but do not walk into disobedience to seek temporary desires that never fulfill. Never make a permanent decision based on a temporary emotion. Don’t trade away GOD’s lifelong gift to satisfy a short-term appetite (Genesis 25:29-34; Hebrews 12:16-17; 2Samuel 11-13). #Mine 💣💥
• It may be tempting to escape suffering and sorrow, but do not walk down Evil Lane and step into the entrapment of drugs. Don’t walk into that store and step your way into becoming a drunken fool. #Mine 💣💥
• It may be temping to risk everything you currently have in order to attain everything you desire, but don’t step away from responsibility by stepping into unrealistic odds that are not in your favor. #Mine 💣💥
• It may be tempting to escape the pain in life by ending your life, but do not walk into the possibility of Hell by stepping your way into suicide. #Mine 💣💥

“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
(1Corinthians 10:12-13) -ESV

Advance Forward:

The spikes on the bottom of the shoes isn’t only for standing your ground and refusing to be pushed back, it’s also for traction in order to gain ground and advance forward. Are you taking ground or losing ground? In Joshua 1:3, GOD told Joshua that he would possess all the land he walked on. GOD freely gave the children of Israel the Promised Land; however, in order for them to possess that land and enjoy it, they had to advance forward while overcoming opposition. It is written in Romans 16:20 that “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” The word “crush” is taken from the Greek word suntribo, and it was historically used to denote the act of smashing and utterly crushing grapes into wine. But it was also used to denote the act of snapping, breaking, and crushing bones. Because of Jesus, Satan is under our feet. Alone, we are no match for Satan. But because we have partnership with the Lord, we can overcome. Jesus completely destroyed Satan’s power over you through His sacrificial death and resurrection. Standing in faith is a defensive move and a refusal to go back; walking with the Lord is an offensive move and a decision to advance forward. And because we walk in the confidence and peace of knowing this, it’s time to advance forward and walk with purpose.

Walking With Purpose:

It is good to be able to dodge danger and evade evil, but that does not mean that we should avoid the adversary or stay away from sinners. Superheroes do not run away from problems; rather, they embrace their callings and seek solutions.

“And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
(1John 2:3-6) -ESV

“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ ”
(Matthew 28:16-20) -ESV

Wherever Jesus had directed the disciples to go, they went there. The shoes of readiness help us to dodge danger and evade evil; however, the shoes of readiness also guide us to walk with purpose. Our purpose for walking by faith is to share the Gospel (good news). If your feet don’t take you out of your comfort zone and into the battlefield, then you’re not wearing the shoes of readiness. The Couch Potato Christians might as well wear ankle monitors and consider themselves prisoners of their own probations.

When Saul of Tarsus became Paul, Jesus helped him to realize that he had been blind to the Truth all along (Acts 9:3-19). From this, we can learn that without Jesus, we are all dead in our own sins (Ephesians 2:1-3). The Lord is the Light (John 8:12) and the only reason we have sight (Isaiah 42:16; Ephesians 2:4-9). Without Jesus to give us vision, we would all be blind darkness dwellers. Without GOD as the Light that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105), we would all be the blind leading the blind (Matthew 15:14; Luke 6:39). But because Jesus called us out of the darkness and into the Light (Colossians 1:13), we became the light-bearers (John 9:5; Matthew 5:14-16; Ephesians 5:8; 1Thessalonians 5:5; 1Peter 2:9) who act as travel guides. Just as tourists typically follow tour guides until they reach their destinations, the “lost” only follow Christians until they come to Jesus. People ultimately follow Christ, not Christians. But as light-bearing guides, we must put on the shoes of readiness if we are to lead those in the dark to the Light. Don’t walk in the darkness without your shoes on; don’t go into the battlefield with bare feet. Are your shoes on? Are you ready?

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’ ”
(Romans 10:14-15; see also Isaiah 52:7) -ESV

Prayer:

GOD, thank You for the shoes of readiness You gave to us. Please open our eyes and help us to see what You truly want us to see. Expose the lies and reveal the Truth! Please open our ears and help us to hear what You truly want us to hear. Help us to recognize the ‘mines’ for what they truly are. Help us to walk the straight and narrow path of righteousness (Proverbs 4:25-27; Isaiah 30:21; Deuteronomy 5:32-33; Matthew 7:13-14) and keep us from deviating from the path of Truth. And when we encounter the ‘mines,’ please help us recognize the path of escape that you promised to provide (1Corinthians 10:13). Please lead righteous people our way and surround us with good and righteous influences who will keep us accountable and inspire us to rise to new and higher levels in our lives of faith. Please use us to guide others away from the destructive ‘mines’ of the adversary’s mind. Please help us to guide the lost to the One who can save. I humbly recognize that if You had not given me vision, I would still be blind. Help me lead others to You so that You may heal them of their blindness, open their eyes and help them to see — truly see! Help me to be a bright light in the darkness of this world. Help me to provide my light to those without sight so they may find their way Home. Help me to give light to those without light so they can also go shine their lights and help others acquire light. A candle was designed to provide light. A candle can either refuse to be lit and remain a mere candle all its inactive days or it can accept the fire of the Holy Spirit and provide light as it was designed to do! I understand that as I provide light, my life will dwindle down to nothing, but in doing so I will truly live (John 11:25-26). And truly, I’d rather live than merely exist. It is better to sink while sailing for the Savior than to forever float in Hinder Harbor, tied to the devil’s dock.

GOD, I am only another mere candle creation, but please help me light as many other candles as possible before my time ends. Please guide our steps to be in step with Your perfect will. Amen.

Superhero: Armor of GOD: Belt of Truth

---

If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below…

---

This is Part 15 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love. In Part 5, we learned that superheroes are solution seekers. In Part 6, we saw that solution seekers are willing to sacrifice if necessary. In Part 7, we saw that sacrificial love steps forward and offers service. In Part 8, we saw that superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty. In Part 9, we saw that superheroes never give up! In Part 10, we saw that superheroes don’t need recognition – they are motivated only by love! In Part 11, we saw that relationships matter and teamwork works! In Part 12, we saw that the struggle is real; however, Jesus is the real solution to our real problems. In Part 13, we saw that despite problems, superheroes are more than conquerors! In Part 14, we saw that true superheroes do not have identity crises – they know who they are even if others don’t!

In this message (Part 15), we will see that superheroes are always ready to fight against evil with the belt of Truth.

---

 

This Is War:

When you receive your calling, you have been drafted into the army of GOD. But no soldier goes out onto the battlefield without first putting on his/her armor. Marvel’s Avengers had an Infinity War with Thanos. What we [Christians] face is real life and this is the real infinity war; the outcome of this war determines eternal destinations. Superheroes are fighting in a war against evil. Are you ready for battle? Suit up!

Armor of GOD:

^“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
(Ephesians 6:10-20) -ESV

We are commanded to be strong in the Lord. GOD gave the Israelites a similar charge before they engaged in battle with the inhabitants of the promised land (Deuteronomy 31:23; Joshua 1:6). However, Paul wanted us to distinguish between demons and doctrine, sin and sinners, problems and people. Humans are not the enemies; rather, hostile supernatural entities are the enemies; the devil and his demons are the enemies. Our fellow humans are victims of Satan’s lies and are in need of being saved because the devil prowls around like a lion, seeking to devour, steal, kill, and destroy (1Peter 5:8; John 10:10). The devil fights with lies, and sometimes his lies sound like truth, but they are lies because there is no truth in him and he is the father of lies (John 8:44). Paul instructed us to put on the whole armor of GOD so that we can resist the devil’s schemes. The phrase “whole armor” is taken from the word panoplia and pictures a Roman soldier who is fully dressed in his armor from head to toe. Also, Paul’s use of the Greek word methodeia suggests that the devil is cunning and he uses deception to advance his evil purposes (2Corinthians 11:3). Satan is, after all, the master manipulator (2Corinthians 11:14). But because of Christ’s victory over the evil powers, believers have courage and strength to resist the devil and his demons (Romans 8:9-11; Ephesians 1:19-21; 3:10; Colossians 2:15; James 4:7).

It’s important to take notice that we are instructed to be strong in the Lord and put on the armor of GOD. The phrase “of GOD” is taken from the Greek phrase tou theo, and it is written in the genitive case. Simply put, this means our supernatural and spiritual armor comes directly from GOD. The Lord Himself is the Source of origin for our armor. And because this armor comes from GOD, it is vital for us to remain in relationship with the Lord in order for us to continually enjoy the benefits of our spiritual armor. Just like any of our appliances, if we ‘unplug’ from the Source of Power, the power no longer empowers us. Do not disengage in fellowship with the Lord. 

It is interesting to note that GOD has given us three offensive weapons, three defensive weapons, and one neutral weapon. As I will later explain, the breastplate, shield, and helmet are all defensive weapons. The three offensive weapons are the shoes, sword, and prayer. The neutral weapon is the belt of Truth.

Belt of Truth:

The first item Paul instructs us to put on is the belt of Truth. What is the purpose of the belt? In our present time, the belt is to prevent our pants from falling down. However, in ancient Roman times when Paul wrote to his intended audience, the belt around a soldier’s waist held the breastplate in place, provided an attachment for the sword, provided a resting place for the shield. Without Truth, there’s no protection of the heart nor can anyone possess the defense or weapon necessary to overcome the adversary, which is the shield and the sword. The belt of Truth is central and essential. Without it, it’s easy to fall apart. The belt of Truth holds everything together. 

What Is Truth?

“Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’ After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, ‘I find no guilt in him.’ ”
(John 18:37-38) -ESV

How can we wear the belt of Truth if we do not know the answer to Pilate’s question: “What is Truth?” It was the great subject of inquiry in all the schools of the Greeks. Different sects of philosophers had held different opinions; however, Pilate did not ask the question to receive an answer. Even though Pilate asked the question, he never pursued the answer; instead, he walked outside to the crowd. For Pilate, truth was relative. To many government officials in ancient Roman times, truth was whatever the majority of people agreed with or whatever helped advance their own personal power and political goals. When there is no standard or acknowledgment of absolute Truth, there is no basis for moral right and wrong. Justice becomes whatever works or whatever helps those in power. In essence, relative truth is “whatever floats your boat.” However, we know that Truth is absolutely never relative because it is absolute. We also know that moral relativism is absolutely absurd. In Jesus and His Word, we have the standard for Truth and for our moral behavior. The Lord is not a liar; Christ is our compass. 

GOD is Truth; Jesus is GOD:

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
(John 14:6) -ESV

Jesus is the way because He is both fully GOD and fully human. When Jesus was conceived, GOD became a man; however, Jesus was not half and half as if a diluted deity; He was completely human and also completely divine (Colossians 2:9). Jesus is the way because Jesus is Truth. By uniting our lives with Him, we are united with GOD.

The Word is Truth:

“God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. By using Scripture, a man of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.”
(2Timothy 3: 16-17) –NIRV

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ ”
(John 8:31-32) -ESV

“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”
(Psalm 119:160) -ESV

Jesus is the Word:

“¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men…. ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
(John 1:1-4,14) -ESV

It is important to point out that there are two kinds of words from GOD: logos (written Word) and rhema (revelation). The Word (Greek: Logos) was a term used by theologians and philosophers, both Jews and Greeks, in many different ways. In Hebrew Scripture, the Word was an agent of creation (Psalm 33:6), the source of GOD’s message to His people through the prophets (Hosea 4:1), and GOD’s Law, His standard of holiness (Psalm 119:11). In Greek philosophy, the Word was the ‘reason’ behind everything, the principle of reason that governed the world, or the thought still in the mind. In Hebrew thought, the Word was another expression for GOD. Jesus, therefore, is the Creator of the universe and all life (Genesis 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24), the ultimate revelation of GOD, the living picture of GOD’s holiness (Colossians 1:15), the One who “holds all creation together (Colossians 1:17). The Word became human. In John 1:14, when Scripture tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, it means that GOD “tabernacled” in flesh (Jesus). As is evident in the book of Exodus, the Tabernacle was GOD’s “home” on Earth. But this “home” was only a temporary tent, which foreshadowed the more permanent Temple (building), which foreshadowed the more personal temple (body), which foreshadows the personal and permanent presence of our immortal resurrected bodies that will dwell with GOD’s presence for eternity (1Corinthians 15:53). GOD started out small with one tent, expanded to a more permanent building, and then dwelt in the body of Jesus. And because GOD tabernacled in flesh, Jesus became:

1. the perfect teacher — in Jesus’ life we see how GOD thinks and therefore how we should think (Philippians 2:5-11);
2. the perfect example — as a model of who we are to become, He shows us how to live and gives us the power to live that way (1Peter 2:21);
3. the perfect sacrifice — Jesus came as a sacrifice for all sins, and His death satisfied GOD’s requirements for the removal of sin (Colossians 1:15-22).

But no longer do people have to travel to one specific place to seek GOD’s presence. Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit dwells within all children of GOD (John 7:37-39; 14:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 3:2; 2Corinthians 1:22). Jesus is the Word and the Word is eternal Truth (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18; Revelation 19:13). Jesus never changes (Hebrews 13:8); Truth never changes (Proverbs 12:19). Truth is always timely; it applies today and in the future. Because it is connected with GOD’s changeless character, it is also changeless. Think about it: how many centuries have passed since the Word has existed? Consider the countless hours that have been spent carefully studying every sentence and every word of Scripture. The Bible has withstood the test of time and is reliable and accurate. GOD is Spirit (John 4:24); Spirit is Truth (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1John 5:6); Jesus is Truth (John 14:6; 18:37); thus, Jesus is GOD. Jesus is the Son; however, He and the Father are One and Jesus has always existed (John 1:1; 8:58; 10:30). Jesus was One person of two natures, always in relationship with the Spirit. This is the doctrine of the Trinity. And because GOD is Truth and the Word is GOD’s Truth, you can trust the inspired Word to guide you. In fact, apostle Paul declares that this belt of Truth is so powerful and crucial, it can take the average individual and cause him/her to be complete and equipped for every good work (2Timothy 3:16-17). The word translated as “equipped” or “furnished” is taken from the Greek word exartidzo, which means to completely outfit or to fully supply. It was used to depict wagons or ships that were completely outfitted with gear. 

The loinbelt covered the Roman soldier’s loins. One of the obvious reasons for this was because he wanted to protect his ability to reproduce. Likewise, the belt of Truth shows us that our ability to produce for GOD is directly correlated with our relationship with the Word of GOD. We will become spiritually sterile if we do not have GOD’s Word actively operating centrally in our lives. When a person first gets saved, it is written in 1John 3:9-10 that GOD’s seed abides in him/her and that person will practice a life of righteousness. The word “seed” is taken from the Greek word spermata. It is where we derive the word “sperm.” Once that seed is placed into us, that divine seed then immediately begins to produce the life and character of Jesus within us. This divine seed is the reason we cannot go on living the way we once did before we encountered the Lord. The life, character, nature, and attributes of GOD are in that seed; consequently, the Holy Father passes a holy ‘DNA’ to us in a way similar to a father’s DNA passing on to a son/daughter. And for this reason, we are new creations in Christ (2Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4; Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:1-10)! And unlike all other perishable seeds, this spermata from GOD is imperishable and incorruptible (1Peter 1:22-23)!

Life Application:

“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”
(Psalm 86:11) -ESV

It is not enough to merely know the Truth (James 2:19); we must live the Truth out in our lives. Knowing the Truth should launch us into action (Romans 2:13; James 1:22-25; 1John 2:4). It is not enough to merely recognize the belt of Truth as being the belt of Truth — we must put it on! Batman can stare at his utility belt and recognize it as his own, but if he never puts it on, it will never help him while he battles against evil villains. A belt of Truth that is merely on display will not help anyone in any way.

GOD is Spirit; Spirit is Truth; Jesus is Truth; Jesus is GOD; Jesus is the Word; Jesus is Truth. Therefore, the belt of Truth is the Word of GOD. This belt of Truth holds the breastplate in place; Jesus holds everything together!

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
(Proverbs 9:10) -ESV

Wisdom begins with knowing GOD. He gives insight into living because He created life. To know GOD you must not just know the facts about Him; you must have a personal relationship with Him. But how can you know GOD unless you know GOD’s Word? Do you possess GOD’s Word within you? Again, a belt of Truth that is merely on display will not help anyone in any way; likewise, a Bible that is merely on display will not help anyone in any way. You must not only possess the belt of Truth, but you must also use it; likewise, you must not only possess GOD’s Word, but you must also use it. How can you use your utility belt of Truth if you don’t know what’s in it? And even if you know what’s in it, it won’t help you unless you apply it to your life.

Think of the belt of Truth like Batman’s utility belt. When we put on the belt of Truth, “we use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity” (2Corinthians 10:5-6) -MSG.

“We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.”
(2Corinthians 10:5) -TPT

And for this reason, apologetics is important. The term apologetics derives from a Greek term, apologia, and was used for a defense. Essentially, it is the ability to explain why we believe what we believe. Apologetics is important because we’re all apologists anyway, it strengthens believers, and helps believers fulfill the great commission. But most importantly, Bible study is imperative in our walk with the Lord. Have you ever been asked difficult questions about the Bible you weren’t prepared to answer?

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
(1Peter 3:15) -NIV

As Peter indicates, we are all called to be ready with answers. The best way to identify a lie is to know the Truth. And when we know the Truth, we must follow the example of Jesus and be full of both grace and truth (John 1:14), speaking Truth out from love (Ephesians 4:15). Know the Truth and the Truth will set you free (John 8:32)!