I'm finding more and more how detrimental love is to a person's mind and relationships. Pretty much their whole well being. We are in a day and age where it is easier, more than ever, to step out of our love walk. There is so much division. So much jealousy. So much discord and strife.
The scripture says to have the shoes of peace. They are part of our armor that is set up for us to withstand the attacks of the enemy. Peace, I see now is a knowing that God has your back. To step out of peace and into an arena of discord, strife, and jealousy means you step out of God's arena where he has power. We step into the arena. Where God has no power. We literally give the authority over to the devil at that point.
This peace I talk about gives me a visualization. Its as if we are walking in life and knowing, no matter what, God really does work everything out for the good. Which allows us to walk in love. I also visually love as a barrier around us. If anyone has ever watch twilight, you know the scene at the end of the last one where Bella shoots off this force field that does not allow the enemy to come touch them. That is how I picture love. When we are walking in it, God's force field is covering us.
You have probably heard of the armor of God. When I was a kid, it was cool to think of armor. As an adult is really really cool to know that I don't have to adult alone. God has got my back just as our parents job is to have our back as a child. Lets take a short peak at the armor, so you can maybe visualize how they truly work together. Below is the scripture so you can refer to it.
Ephesians 6:10-18 10 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The belt of truth means you have the truth holding up the breast plate of righteousness. To walk in truth means you walk in God's love. The belt actually helps sustain the breast plate on a soldier. What does the breast plate do on a soldier. It protects his chest, which is his heart. Put them together, this is what you find. The truth, the word, helps keep you in right standing. Helps guard your heart from allowing anything but the word (love) from creeping in. What happens when anything but love creeps in. Strife, discord, hate, and other sins creep in (Read Galatians 5 on what the sinful nature looks like, and what the Spirit of God looks like. They are at odds, and desiring to take up the realms of your heart. Out of the heart comes all the things of life. If you ask me, that is telling you what you allow to fester in your heart is what will determine your everyday actions and your future. Just to be real and raw and truthful.) So we need the truth.
Next you have your feet. It says "and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." Always be ready to move in peace. No matter what person or situation that tries to come up, you are ready to respond in love.
Your shield of faith means you trust God to knock down the arrows that try to pierce you. Again when you are trusting God then I believe you are moving in love and responding in love. The helmet of Salvation protect your head. Again, understanding the idea that you are a child of God and he has your back helps you to move and think in love. The sword. Oh the sword. You the word. You do it! The word (the truth; remember the belt of truth that holds up the breastplate of righteousness) says in Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, and joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." That is your sword the word. The truth. It penetrates all of the armor. It connects it all. It keeps you in love, it keeps you protected, it helps you guard your heart. It is consistent. It does not waver. It is love, peace, joy, restoration, healing, and everything you need to survive in every situation. It brings everything together for the good. It helps you to see past the physical and helps you to see possibility, hope. Its your force field.
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