Pssst – You there, come here a minute. I want to look you over and make sure you are dressed appropriately for the day. Let’s see:
Belt of Lies – Everyone is out to get you. Everyone is looking out for themselves and you will pay if you don’t be careful. Quick now, fasten the belt on.
Breastplate of Anger – You are #1 and don’t forget it. No one has a right to take advantage of you. Make yourself happy – life is short.
Shoes Stumbling in Fear – You do have much to be afraid of. What if something happened to your children? Your spouse? You? What if you get sick? What if you say something stupid at the meeting today? Put these shoes on. Hurry now. With these shoes you can confidently be deceived (ahem) confidently believe you can control your life – your destiny and all those around you.
Shield of Works – Protect yourself at all costs. Self preservation is the key. If you need to use hurtful words or keep replaying the hurt someone caused you over and over in your head, but all means – go for it. You need to not forget – or else they might do it again.
Helmet of Deception – I don’t like the word deception. I prefer to call it the Helmet of Unending Joy and Bliss. Go ahead – put it on. When you doubt yourself, remember your helmet, and keep striving for wealth, fame and power.
Sword of the World – Lots of noise is a good thing. TV, social media, mindless google searching, music. It doesn’t really matter what medium is used – the key is over indulgence. If you use those in moderation, it could just lead to stillness in your day. Don’t think. Keep busy. Coast.
Looking good my man. You say you are a God follower? No problem! Doesn’t bother me a bit. As long as you are all suited up in my (ahem) I mean – as long as you are suited up in such self focused armor, you are ready for your day. Don’t worry about a thing. Enjoy your day. Toodle-oo
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Love this! One of my favorites. It has the Screwtape flavor that I find so effective, and you were creative with the word play here. I will read this again and again, as I see many lies I tell myself. I wonder what inspired this?
Thanks for your encouraging words! I chewed on this for about a month. Started with studying the armor of God and got to thinking about what the opposite of God’s armor would look like…
Screwtape-approved!
Thanks!
This post is excellent. It really hit home. How often I listen to the lie that Satan is telling me. “You are fearful, you are so very busy.” I was going to read my Bible but I stayed up way too long on the internet and fell asleep. Thank you for reminding me that the “belt of fear” and the “shoes stumbling in fear” are just a lie from from our enemy. I chose, right now, to turn off the TV and open my Bible and read from God’s word for the rest of the evening.
Thanks. Amen and amen! I’m with you – fed up with being tricked by his lies and ready to walk in the freedom Jesus gave his blood to procure for me!
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