Victory Action #3 Live In Truth

The Apostle Paul’s Strategy to Winning Life’s Battles

Victory Action #3 Live In Truth

Ephesians 6:14a

 

Ephesians 6:14a

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist …”

 

Introduction

            Welcome back to our study called, “The Apostle Paul’s Strategy to Winning Life’s Battles.”  There are times in life when we face severe temptations and even when life’s problems seem to knock us down.  Bad things do happen to good people.  The question then becomes, “how are we to respond?”  Paul’s primary directive is found in Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” 

            Thankfully, he teaches us how to be strong in the Lord.  He instructed us with Victory Action #1 Put on the Armor of God and Victory Action #2 Stand Firm.  Today, we will consider Victory Action #3 Live in Truth.

 

Live in Truth

            You can be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power by standing firm with truth as you face life’s battles.  Our enemy, the devil, wants us to focus on his lies and to consider them as if they are valid.  He is a master manipulator who wants us to be tossed on the waves of chaos and confusion.  The antidote to his tactics is to find Truth and to live in truth.  Truth is the anchor that keeps us steady when we find ourselves in the storms of life.  To put it another way, Truth is the lighthouse that brings us hope and direction for rescue in the middle of the upheaval of life’s storms.

            Thankfully, the Truths of God’s Word, the Bible, are plentiful and life changing.  In our time today, we will consider two truths about our spiritual enemy and then four truths about God that will encourage you to stand firm and bring victory over life’s battles.

            The first truth about our spiritual enemy is that all that is “bad” originates from the devil.  The evil one has power in this world for a time and uses it to kill and destroy everything and everyone created and loved by God.  You may be facing a life-threatening illness, a loss of job, the betrayal of a spouse, or a natural disaster.  While you may know the individual who is at fault, the one who originated all sin, evil, and death is the devil.  Now, God is good and only that which is good comes from Him.  The Bible says it this way,

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created” (James 1:13-18).

 

            The second truth about our spiritual enemy is that the devil’s main tactic is to cause you to doubt.  When bad things happen to good people the devil tries to whisper in your ear that God is not in control.  He wants you to question, “God, why did you not save me?” or “God, did you not care about me?”  This tactic was seen first in Genesis chapter 3 in the Garden of Eden when the serpent asked Eve, “’Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden?”’”  The devil wants you to think that he has the authority and the right to question God. 

            After he gets you to doubt God then he wants you to doubt yourself.  He will tell you that you are no good, that you have no value, that you are alone, and that no one cares.  He lies about God being in control and he lies about your self-worth.  Thankfully, the Bible is filled to overflowing with truths that overcome the doubts of the devil.

            There are three truths about God that I want to highlight briefly that will equip you to stand firm as you encounter life’s battles.

            First, God is in control.  We live in a world where it rains on the just and the unjust.  Bad things happen to good people and to bad people.  This is the result of our living in a world corrupted by sin.  In spite of this, God is still in control.  The story of Joseph makes the point that while Joseph’s brothers had evil intentions and sold him into slavery, God was still in control.  Joseph was placed strategically by God in Pharaoh’s presence to bring God glory.  Once all was revealed, Joseph told his brothers, “`You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives’” (Genesis 50:20).

            There are times when we want Jesus to return immediately and balance the scales of justice.  But, even with all the wars and rumors of wars and worldwide tragedies, God is still in control.  In II Peter 3:8 we read, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 

            There is one more verse that I will share on this point.  It is found in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  When you encounter life’s battles, stand firm on the truth that God is in control and will work all things for His glory.

            The second truth about God is that you are His child.  You do not have to doubt His love for you or doubt to whom you belong.  When you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord you became a child of God and an heir to the King.  You matter to God.  You are loved unconditionally.  As you deal with life’s battles, stand firm in the truth that you are a child of God.  Romans 8:31 puts it this way, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” and a few verses later in verse 37, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

            The third truth about God is that He keeps His promises.  The Bible is God’s letter to you that reveals His character and His love for you.  The Bible teaches us that God loved you so much that He sent Jesus Christ to die for your sins.  Jesus loves you so much that He gave His life willingly and then He rose again on the third day and conquered sin and death.  You can live in the Truth that Jesus is alive and walks with you throughout life’s journey!  God does not promise you will never face a battle in life.  The truth is that He promised that He will never leave you or forsake you and that He will fight life’s battle for you!

            Jesus Christ said, “`I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).  He also taught, “`If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’” (John 8:32).

 

Conclusion

            Victory Action #3 in the Apostle Paul’s Strategy to Winning Life’s Battles is to Live In Truth.  I encourage you to hold to the teachings of Jesus found in the Bible and follow Him wholeheartedly.  The only response to Truth that our spiritual enemy, the devil, can make is to run away.  May the Lord give you strength to Live In Truth today.

 

Prayer

            Dear Lord, please help me to live in truth in the midst of life’s battles.  I believe in you and in your Word, the Bible.  I put my life in your hands.   In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

  

For You to Consider

 

1.     Consider you most recent life battle and discuss the tactics used by the devil.

 

2.     There are times when we encounter a life battle that our sense of self-worth is diminished.  What must you do to see yourself as God sees you?

 

3.     How will you respond to someone who is facing a potentially tragic situation and who asks you, “where is God?”

 

4.     What difference will it be in our life battle if we believe the truth that God is on our side and fighting our battles for us?

 

5.     How do you know Truth and how do you grow your confidence in the Truth?

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