I’m remembering a Tuesday morning in March, when I was on my way to my first week of a new Bible study. During my 10-minute drive to church, I was praying and asking God what I should do in a certain situation in regards to a person I cared deeply about.  Just so you know, I pray with my eyes open while I drive. I promise.

I was concerned about something I suspected going on in someone’s life. I asked God if I should confront this person. I asked God, “Should I take this person out to a restaurant & tell them what I thought I knew or ask a bunch of questions?”  Then I arrived at church and went into the library to start The Armor of God Bible study. As I watched Priscilla Shirer’s DVD with my Bible study group, she said not to do things our own way in troubling circumstances. She said to wait on God and do things God’s way in God’s time. Wow! This was my first week and I was already getting answers. This was just a foretaste of the weeks to come.

Every week I gained insight of who our true enemy is, the different tactics he uses to try and destroy us and how to use the armor God has given us to defeat our enemy. So when I think back on week #2 “THE BELT OF TRUTH” the verse that stuck in my mind was

2 Corinthians 11:14
“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

His disguise may look very close to the light and close to the truth, but close is not actual light or actual truth. The actual light and truth is found in John 9:5 “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” and John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

On Day 5 we reviewed the way the enemy deceived Eve leading to the fall of man. He was subtle,  then he mixed truth with a lie, “Ye shall not surely die…your eyes shall be opened… ” Genesis 3:4-5

We must beware! Satan may make it all seem safe and harmless and fulfilling and justifiable.  The devil is a liar, a manipulator and a deceiver. On a personal note, I do not trust the devil, therefore I do not speak to him or give him commands. It would be pointless. I follow the instructions of

James 4:7
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Satan knows we have weaknesses and he uses them against us. Day 2 was the Truth Checkup (a self-assessment) which helped me become aware of my weaknesses, so I know where the enemy will try to strike and I know what to work on to become stronger.

What had the biggest impact on me was Day 4 starting at page 59, where our book talks about “The Thing About Feelings.”  My “Actionable Intel” for that day was:  Make sure God’s truth is my guide, not my feelings, intellect, gut instincts or past experiences, which can influence my reaction to current circumstances. I know this is the devil’s favorite weapon against me.

So everyday, since my Bible study, I try to remember not to trust my feelings or emotions. I remember I need to run everything under the light and live a life that aligns with GOD’S WORD. I stay aware of my weaknesses and keep them at bay and strengthen my core by strapping on THE BELT OF TRUTH!

Cheryl