An Odd Dilemma

This is the kind of life-struggle our Father describes for us, one where the truth is difficult to find and hold.

The credibility and integrity of many are in question today. They feed us strange theories and gossip, confidence in false claims and supposed divine prophesies.

And, it looks like they believe everything they tell us. Now we wonder what else in their words and actions might be similarly unsupported by factual truth. If they're bent enough to believe these things, are they wise enough to lead?

Even when proven wrong, few have acknowledged their responsibility in leading so many astray.

Their false claims and accusations have been struck down in court for lack of evidence and by reports from multiple state and federal agencies, faked evidence disproven by investigation, false prophesies uncovered by the passage of time, yet so many continue to believe it all. Truth and trust are upended.

We're left with the question; how much of what I'm living by is based on truth? An objective answer will likely be troubling.

Here's the odd dilemma. As I listen to the rationale of people who I trust, they appear to genuinely believe that which I've carefully examined and honestly set aside as untrue. How can that possibly happen? How can we be so precisely divided? This is what He was describing for us. He told us that our struggle is not a physical contest, it is with those who rule and shape the world, those who bring today's untruth and against the spiritual  forces behind it.

It has happened before.  Got a plan?

10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 11Put on the full armor of God [for His standards are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 13Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 14So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING [b]TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH (personal integrity, moral courage) AROUND YOUR WAIST and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (an upright heart), 15and having [c]strapped on YOUR FEET THE GOSPEL OF PEACE IN PREPARATION [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 16Above all, lift up the [protective] [d]shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

18With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all [e]God’s people. 19And pray for me, that words may be given to me when I open my mouth, to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news [of salvation], 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. And pray that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly and courageously, as I should.

It has never been simple or easy, I guess, but we're encouraged to gear up and go.