Archives: 2006

I was in the market for a certain item. Finally the time came to choose between two good brands. I had to evaluate and test because I wanted the best for my particular needs and use.

In a spiritual sense, each day I encounter the need to test things — attitudes, thoughts, words, actions, values, purposes, plans, pleasure, work, and on and on.

I mean, I do analyze and test such things, don’t I?

If I don’t, how will I choose good over evil? And how I will choose that which is excellent?

Choose that which is excellent? Oh yes. Sometimes I know I accept something only because “there’s nothing wrong with it” . . . but it really doesn’t fall in the EXCELLENT category.

“That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:10).

What else should I be testing in addition to what I already listed?

May I do better at living in pursuit of those things which are excellent.

If I wear all the armor God provides, I will survive and win.

Last week an Oregon State Trooper survived being shot from behind. He was wearing body armor.

That’s the only way I can survive against an enemy who is even more “unfair” than the above criminal who shot the trooper during a traffic stop.

If I wear all the armor God provides, I will survive and win.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

And how do I put on such armor as is given in verses 13-17?

For instance, the breastplate of righteousness?

Each time I choose to do right and think right, I am putting on and keeping on that breastplate.

Each time I choose to do and think wrong, I am exposing myself — unprotected — to the arrows, bullets, and swords of the evil ones.

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