Many of us discovered at an early age in school, or even at home that there are people who will call us names that are not complimentary if we tell the truth of what we witnessed in certain situations. More than that, they may well be ready for a fight!
There are so many lies being told in the media, in business, in politics, everywhere. And we all need someone to help us know the truth about what is really happening. Who better than Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, who is the voice of Jesus on the earth today.
Many sermons have been preached, and many books written on these verses about the armour that God gives to His servants. One of the most important things to remember is the beginning part. Stand firm then. That is an order for us. We must make the decision to be faithful.
The book of Job makes interesting reading, with a dramatic and very sad beginning, but a glorious ending. At least for Job who lived to see the fourth generation of his descendants. What a privilege! It also has some amazing descriptions of the creation God made, that are beautifully poetic.
The writer of Hebrews is suggesting here that once we have understood even a small part of what or who is The Truth, we must change our actions to fit that belief. One of the ways to find what that means for us is to read the book of Acts.
How many of us, when listening to the news, are sickened to hear of companies which have made fortunes, while there are people living in our neighbourhoods who do not have enough to eat? We will never know how much of those fortunes were gained because of a lying tongue!
Paul spent most of his life after his conversion travelling and writing to a person or group saying he was hoping to see them soon. He had an amazing passion to see people grow in their knowledge of Jesus, and to see the church growing all over the known world.
How sad that in 2 thousand years, man has not learned that God is great and His word is Truth. People are still refusing to believe in a God who created the world. A God that created a beautiful place with no sin, no destruction, where nothing degraded or rotted!
God had a plan for each one of the sons of Jacob, also called Israel. And He has a plan for each of us and each of our children. Through the years of separation, Joseph had not forgotten his brothers, especially Benjamin. This story ends with a great family reunion.
Maybe we need some bolder pastors and preachers! The fact is that we cannot just be Christians for Sundays. Being a follower of Jesus means living life as He did. It means speaking His truth, and knowing Father God hears every word we say, (even before we have said it!!)
EN 
FR