THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)
SCRIPTURE: "Therefore take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore having girded your loins with TRUTH... and having shod your feet with the preparation of the GOSPEL of peace... and take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD." Ephesians 6:13-15,17
These essential elements are the bedrock upon which faith and salvation begin, to then lead one to pray. These bring the understanding upon which righteousness is imputed, and becoming is begun, and though lived out, all are interdependent for the dynamic of the Christian believer. So then, we resist [evil]: we stand, we move, we maneuver, and we dissuade evil while persuading 'men.’
With the world, the flesh, and the devil as very near, motivated, assertive, and well-practiced opposition, what better defense is there to have than the 'good offense' of truth? I don't think it is a coincidence that we boast of the Word of God as a sword, a weapon having both offensive and defensive capacities. Unsheathed and handled, the sword exercised, we have what we need to enter the subtle and not-so-subtle daily fray of life on earth. Operating from truth gives us all a huge advantage, certainly in time, as well for the sake of legacy and eternity. One cannot move well in life without truth, and likewise, for the influence we'd rather offer, the latter cannot happen outside of truth. God blesses with truth! Truth, God’s word, and the Gospel, being intimately intertwined, are a dynamic trinity of sorts within the 'whole armor of God,’ for both stance and advance. Our near and far worlds are aching to have truth, with an unfortunate appetite to accept counterfeits, for some truths are hard. Left unanchored, feelings are no substitute for truth.
Hard or soft, God blesses with truth. He establishes His truth, and it is a beautiful thing. As it is the work of the Spirit to bring us into all truth, and to steady us in a fallen world with patient flourishing, we express such fruit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In truth, these are beautiful as they bloom from within ourselves, to influence beyond ourselves. This is a good offense, and a good defense. [Galatians 5:22,23] ***
Obedience based upon understanding and wisdom are beautiful in their display, with the core wisdom being the gospel, holiness exerting ultimate love for our sake in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, with the great commission to go, and sow!
Having established us, Lord, revive us again! Hallelujah! "Let the favor [the beauty]of the Lord our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands; Yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90:17
PRAYER: Lord, as I wait, help me to wait, heart be encouraged nigh 'the gate,’ and lead me having heaven's light as these last days engage the sight. I pray Thy vict'ry defeat doubt, that such as faith becometh stout, and bring to waken all of mind, for better gaze, no longer blind. I pray the Word before me lifts, and that transforming yields its gifts, and that my gaining offers fruit as Thee alone hath touched the root. May every step to follow, bless, and stepping, settle in Thy rest; let faith enlarge each friend to friend, let all as kin resound 'Amen!'.
by Brother Brockington,
[Acknowledging also portions of hymns & songs, Psalm 23, the beatitudes of Matthew 5, 1st John 1, and the construct of “The Road To Recovery” from 'Celebrate Recovery.’]
With the world, the flesh, and the devil as very near, motivated, assertive, and well-practiced opposition, what better defense is there to have than the 'good offense' of truth? I don't think it is a coincidence that we boast of the Word of God as a sword, a weapon having both offensive and defensive capacities. Unsheathed and handled, the sword exercised, we have what we need to enter the subtle and not-so-subtle daily fray of life on earth. Operating from truth gives us all a huge advantage, certainly in time, as well for the sake of legacy and eternity. One cannot move well in life without truth, and likewise, for the influence we'd rather offer, the latter cannot happen outside of truth. God blesses with truth! Truth, God’s word, and the Gospel, being intimately intertwined, are a dynamic trinity of sorts within the 'whole armor of God,’ for both stance and advance. Our near and far worlds are aching to have truth, with an unfortunate appetite to accept counterfeits, for some truths are hard. Left unanchored, feelings are no substitute for truth.
Hard or soft, God blesses with truth. He establishes His truth, and it is a beautiful thing. As it is the work of the Spirit to bring us into all truth, and to steady us in a fallen world with patient flourishing, we express such fruit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In truth, these are beautiful as they bloom from within ourselves, to influence beyond ourselves. This is a good offense, and a good defense. [Galatians 5:22,23] ***
Obedience based upon understanding and wisdom are beautiful in their display, with the core wisdom being the gospel, holiness exerting ultimate love for our sake in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, with the great commission to go, and sow!
Having established us, Lord, revive us again! Hallelujah! "Let the favor [the beauty]of the Lord our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands; Yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90:17
PRAYER: Lord, as I wait, help me to wait, heart be encouraged nigh 'the gate,’ and lead me having heaven's light as these last days engage the sight. I pray Thy vict'ry defeat doubt, that such as faith becometh stout, and bring to waken all of mind, for better gaze, no longer blind. I pray the Word before me lifts, and that transforming yields its gifts, and that my gaining offers fruit as Thee alone hath touched the root. May every step to follow, bless, and stepping, settle in Thy rest; let faith enlarge each friend to friend, let all as kin resound 'Amen!'.
by Brother Brockington,
[Acknowledging also portions of hymns & songs, Psalm 23, the beatitudes of Matthew 5, 1st John 1, and the construct of “The Road To Recovery” from 'Celebrate Recovery.’]
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3 Comments
Amen Bro. Brockington! Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you to write this devotion, and for the nice poetic prayer.
Praise the Lord for a very encouraging challenge and reminder.
Praise the Lord for this inspiring devotional.