This post might seem random, but Holy Spirit has been teaching me about strength. And we recently watched the new Wonder Woman movie. So there’s that.
Besides her tear through “No Man’s Land” in the film (definitely my favorite part), her battles throughout the movie feel extra realistic – her inner wrestle with good and evil, belief in humanity and in herself, confidence and uncertainty.
On the car ride home, God prompted me to take a look at my “stance,” if you will. What I saw was insecurity, fear and shame, shrinking back and letting discouragement rule.
Not a strong battle stance for a child of Almighty God, right?
I read in Romans 13, The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.… put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Do you hear confidence dripping from those phrases? I do.
John Piper’s encouragement on these verses lights a serious fire in my soul,
“Put on Jesus Christ” means put him on as the parachute because you are skydiving behind enemy lines. It means put him on as the high-impact, protective, anti-explosive suit when you disarm the bombs of the devil. It means put him on as the fire-proof suit when you rescue sinners from the flames of hell. It means put him on as a bullet-proof vest when you confront the pistols of sin and unbelief. “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” means put him on as a badge that admits you to all the resources of heaven that you need to do his will. It means put him on as the best intercom system that ever was so that there can be constant communication with the one whom you love above all others and who is himself everything you need.
Then I experienced Wonder Woman in all her sword-yielding, armor-wearing, stick-it-to-them glory.
Her lasso of truth, her powerful sword, armor on her wrist that treat bullets as if they were candy. In the scene I referred to earlier, her storming “No Man’s Land” to save a village from a German stronghold was ignited by kindness for the people, and an attitude of power and confidence in who she was.
Quite inspiring.
Even then, I began preaching to myself,
You are a child of God! Put on His armor, wear Jesus as your protection and provision, and fight the good fight of faith!
And I encourage you with the same message! Let’s fight dishonesty, gossip, negativity, insecurity and shame. Let’s battle unbelief and doubt. Let’s fight for Truth, strong and confident, for holiness and for God’s glory!
When you put on the armor of light—daily (or hourly!) fresh faith in Christ, hope in Christ, love for Christ—it is hard for the works of darkness to cling to you. They are pushed out by the light. If your eye is good (if you see Christ as your treasure) your whole body will be full of light. John Piper
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