[Ephesians 6:10-20 KJV] “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. [11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; [15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: [18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; [19] And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak”.
In the years gone by, the church of Christ have lost some grounds to the devil. We cannot deceive ourselves anymore. We have lost some precious ground to the kingdom of darkness because we missed out on one of the most important armour for the warfare; the belt of truth.
When truth is compromised in the body of Christ and we speak lies in hypocrisy, we will lose more grounds to the devil. The church must awake and speak the truth in love to each other. That is what the Bible says. Three things that will help us to win the battle against evil and false brethren as the church is to be truthful and honest.
- Speak the truth to one another in love:
We must speak the truth to one another in love. When lies and pretence is given room among us as brethren, the evil one thrives. He operates under the cover of darkness and hypocrisy. Let us learn to speak the truth in love. Indeed, we must speak the truth one to another. If you see your brother falling by the way or a sister falling away, stop and caution them with the truth.
- Be a spiritual whistle blower:
The King of Syria would have died but for a whistle blower as Mordecai. Mordecai saved the kings life when he reported the plot to assassinate him to him. There is a need for whistle blowers in the church. Joseph was hated by his brother because he was a whistle blower but God rewarded him. If you cover up rot in the church, you are an accomplice and equally evil. There are so many things that could go on in the church on the blind side of the pastors; DON’T COVER Up evil! Don’t gossip either, report evil to the senior-most officer who can do something about it.
- The right to information:
Let people have a right to information. When you don’t give the correct information, tale bearers and gossips will have a thriving business. Let us stop being so secretive, many of us will be swindled and deceived if we don’t share the right kind of information. Open up and share what’s bothering you or worrying you.
The belt of truth is the foremost part of the armour. Without the belt of truth, we cannot have the rest of the armour together. You need to have truth intact if you want to keep the other parts of the armour together. Let us tell the truth and not withhold information. Expose the predator and keep the brethren alive. Be blessed.
I love you!
Noah Simpe Bediako
