Citizen's Arrest

So, our youngest has a new title lately. She’s an official Safety Patrol kid at school, and she’s got the belt to prove it! She will proudly show you, too. Yes, the halls at school are safe now. No dangerous running is going on, no gum being chewed, no talking, …..you can rest assured that all is safe on Baylee’s watch. Problem is, she wants to transfer her power and patrol the halls here at home. Brother and sister are so not loving it. She’s truly taking her life into her own hands here in the land of screaming hormones and mood swings. (Oh, and don’t forget how the teenagers feel about it, either.) We all know she’s bossy, but now she has the belt to prove it. It gives her authority and empowers her to rule over the “forces of evil.”

Reminds me of the scripture from Ephesians 6:14-18 “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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 saints.”

When we are properly equipped, we, too, can stand against the forces of evil. Verse 12 of this same chapter says, “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.” Just remember, that people are not the enemy. The enemy is the enemy. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are on the same side. We’re in this together. Whatever evil is going on in your life has its root in the enemy’s lies and his voices, not people. Let’s not be the vessels of this OR the believers of such lies. How? By believing the voice of the Prince of Peace rather than the prince of darkness. This song by Casting Crowns is a great reminder of this:
But the voice of truth tells me a different story

And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"

And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.

It’s time to equip ourselves properly. Time to take hold of the TRUTH and the authority that is within us as believers through the Holy Spirit to take our stand, guard our hearts, homes, and churches against the schemes of the enemy. So, grab those belts, but don’t forget the FULL armor of God. It’s the only way to stand and walk this journey victoriously! It’s our watch, and the gospel is too precious of a price. No “citizen’s arrest” will stop us!