Put on the whole armour of God (IV) Stand with your waist girded with truth

The belt in Roman’s armour is said to give the soldier stability. Since ultimately it's knowing the truth that sets us free (John 8:32), then putting on this piece of God’s armour, is about being grounded (stabilized)  in Truth. His Word is Truth (John 17:17). We need to be careful that we're not robbed through the seduction of human wisdom that operates out of the principles of the world, and not according to Christ (Colossians 2:8). As we were saying yesterday,  in the principles of the world evil is being called good, and good evil (Isaiah 5:20). It's very seductive, because a big part of this is said to be motivated by compassion. But compassion without wisdom can be toxic.

It's true that none of the societies based on Judeo-Christian values are perfect. There is oppression and there is corruption at both the highest and the lowest level. And wrongs need to be righted and justice needs to be done, but we can go too far, and with the best (or the worst) of intentions our actions can have unwanted and even devastating consequences. Democracy is not perfect, but history has clearly demonstrated that all other forms of government  are worse. And yes, corruption is everywhere, and though not all, certainly some use these things for political gain  (all sides). The truth of the matter is that the problem is in the heart of man (MARK 7:21), and you cannot legislate a right  heart. Christians rightly say we need to change hearts, and the gospel of Christ is the one true and tried way. Evangelical and Charismatic churches have been operating our of this correct paradigm. But if that is all it is, it's out of balance. The Lord requires us “to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8). Both the world and the church have largely got mercy and justice out of balance. The church has largely abdicated its role of being salt and light, and so not changing society for the good. And while the world may love mercy (compassion), it tends to turn the oppressed into oppressors.

We see it all over in our fallen nature. Those who are abused become the abusers. In government, punitive legislation is put in place which, rather than seeking justice, is more about revenge. The tyranny of political correctness heavily  targets those who were once deceived, but seeing the consequences of their ways change their minds (Galatians 6:7). The lie that free speech is always hate speech is used as an excuse, especially in the Universities, to physically shout down, and to even use violence,  to silence any voice that advocates traditional values that have worked for a very long time. We all want better, but zeal without knowledge is always toxic at some level. So what then, does the faith community need to do? We need to humble ourselves and pray, turn and repent from our wicked, often self righteous, isolationist, apathetic and uninvolved ways, and pray for wisdom, for Grace, for courage to do justice, and for revival (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Holy Father, we have sinned, done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts (Daniel 9), doubting the truths of Your Word, exchanging truth for lies. We have been apathetic, abdicating our role in society. We have been self righteous and judgemental, and we repent. Help us to stand in truth, to do justly and to love mercy. Please hear from Heaven Lord, and heal our land in Jesus Name Amen