A Roman soldier’s belt was used to support the sword and breastplate and provided a place for bronze plates to hang. The belt was always worn, whether or not the other pieces of armor were put on that day. Similar to how the belt was daily worn, believers are called to meditate on both God’s truth and personal integrity every day to counter the enemy’s deceit.
I’ve heard so many sermons on the armor of God that Ephesians 6:10–20 has lost value for me. Maybe it was the sword and shield the preacher got from Party City to illustrate his sermon points or the overemphasis on why truth was a belt and faith was a shield that ruined it for me. I’m not really sure. But whatever the reason, every time I’ve read Paul’s closing words to the church at Ephesus, it’s always felt like an underwhelming ending to a movie that had such a captivating beginning.
I know it’s not particularly “Christian” to admit not finding value in something written in the Bible. But, since we’re talking about truth today, I thought I would start with some truth of my own. Especially since admitting this truth to the Lord opened the door to find an immense amount of value in today’s reading.
For the first time, after reading Ephesians 6:10–20, I asked questions like, “How does truth enable us to stand against the schemes of the devil? How does putting on the truths of God’s Word give us the ability to resist temptation? And, how does putting on lies or half-truths cause me to stumble?”
One particular lie that has caused me to stumble is that humans are primarily sexual beings, the lie that we have these uncontrollable urges that must be fulfilled. So imagine my surprise when I read Paul’s instruction to not let even a hint of sexual immorality exist among you (Ephesians 5:3). Like Eve, I was tempted not to trust the entirety of God’s Word and take this command to be hyperbole.
The danger of asking, “Did God really say _______?” once is that you will ask it again and again. You start calling every command in the Bible an exaggeration, asking, Did God really say to love your enemies? Did He really say forgive seventy times seven? Does God really care if I tell a little bitty lie to get out of coffee with this girl from my small group?
This slippery slope isn’t just the questioning of a list of commands but of the One who gave them. When we second guess God’s commands, we also second guess Him. We put not only His words but also His character on trial. To say God’s commands are unreasonable is also to say that He is an unreasonable and harsh Father with unfair and unrealistic expectations.
The link between God and His words is unbreakable. To trust His words entirely is to trust Him entirely. Him. His person. His character. He is the truth we need to put on. It’s the trustworthiness of His character that enables us to stand against the devil’s schemes. When we trust all of His intentions towards us are good and all of His commands are for our good, we won’t ask, “Did God really say?” We will know the answer because we have wrapped our lives with the truth of His character.
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102 thoughts on "The Belt of Truth"
Is it strange that since I started this particular study, the devil seems to be trying to bring me down even harder. I am thankful for Gods belt of truth because it lets me know the devil is a liar!
Thank you Lord for your belt of truth
“Did God really say…?” That Devil is a Liar!!! But God is so Gracious to provide us amour AND His word to stand in this evil day!
Amen! Im praying for strength to trust him entirely!
Thank you for your honesty! Love this ❤️
Help me to Speak the Truth in Love!
Sometimes to strengthen your connection and faith in God you do question Him and his word. Not out of ego, but out of understanding. When you ask him to show you meaning and understanding this could reveal a deeper connection of His meaning in his Word and deepen your inquisitive nature of who God is. Sometimes when I have questioned God, He has shown me His perspective.
We give glory to your name oh Lord
I love the honesty in this devotional – a great reminder to hold
forgive me Lord for falling down the slippery slope of “white lies”. help me to be more like you, relying on the truth of YOUR word alone. amen ❤️
Log please allow me to develop my truths in you i love you lord
So, I find that God wants us to question and seek Him more and more. He calls us to seek wisdom, to seek truth, to seek understanding. God doesn’t simply command us to obey without any thought in our brains. We can literally open our Bibles and find out WHY God tells us not to do this, or not to do that. I think it’s actually good to think more deeply about God’s commands. There’s nothing wrong with questioning or curiousity! This has deepened my own faith even more to question God and question His commands. It’s definitely important to still have trust and faith in God. But I think it’s good to go through trials, to question God. Because then we seek Him. It’s important to seek Him in His word though, not seek him in the most popular Christian author’s book, or our favorite pastor’s sermons. We must seek His truth in His word because that is where the truth lies. God can handle our questions, God can handle us “putting Him on trial”. He is all powerful and He will never change, no matter what we question or doubt.
Lord help me to accept your truth and that in wearing the belt of truth I will learn to trust in your character, your words and your person.
Such a convicting reminder of what happens when we question the validity and truth of God’s word.
♥️ what a powerful message. Really loved it and I now have a new perspective
I have been trying for an hour to find this podcast. I am old and dumb! Can you tell me how to find it.
I love the intro to this reading– so real and relatable. Can you help point me to the commandments of God that I can lean into? I know there are thousands in the Bible. Should I focus on the 10 commandments to dive into? Thanks :)
Check out What Does 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 Mean? (Women Keep Silent?): https://www.bible.com/podcasts/412/episodes/59718
This: To trust His words entirely is to trust Him entirely. Him. His person. His character. He is the truth we need to put on.
What about the command that women should be silent in church?
The questions should be ‘Why did He say…’ not ‘Did He really say…’ the Lord wants us to understand Him and His laws, and He delights in our curiosity! He desires us to know that He is a trustworthy and good God.
Love that you shared this. I have felt this way many times.
Cynthia, your call for prayer tugged at my heart. What an extremely difficult road to embark on. You are in my prayers
‘The link between God and His word is unbreakable’ ❤️
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I love the honesty because I have kind of felt the same way about studying the armor. There are so many lies the enemy is spewing that we need His armor. We need to literally wear God and clothe ourselves in His word!
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Holy Spirit, help me to wrap my life in the truth of His Character! So beautiful! ❤️
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Thank you for this, Heidi !!
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Amen. Love her honesty!
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Balm of Gilead we pray healing for little Milo. We entrust him into your care. Do what you do best Lord. Thank you Father.
Such a powerful read today. Thank you Lord that your word remains relevant.
Balm of Gilead we pray healing for little Milo. We entrust him into your care. Do what you do best Lord. Thank you Father.
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Ash, praying for Milo.
Father God, I pray for Milo. That you will remind him that he is perfectly made in your image and that this truth will remain in him so that the lies of the devil may be defeated. Remove any negative thoughts from him and keep him comfortable and safe during this struggle. You take all bad and turn it for good. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!!!
Father God, Watch over this family. Give Milo courage and strength. Heal him completely. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Powerful
Wow, Yana, you did an excellent job of capturing the belt of truth! I applaud you for being humble, open, and transparent. Not regarding your own truth but the “truths” society has led us to believe. Love the discussion on sexual beings. God created us to have sex with one person, not many. So the desire/uncontrollable urges come from lust that we’ve fed from places that aren’t of God. Just as the enemy deceived Eve in the garden, he’s deceived so many regarding sex and questioning God on all aspects with “did He really say?” Thank you for bringing this topic to light and not straying away from the hard conversations. I love it, am hear for it and it’s what we need. Really enjoyed today’s study. Love SRT, thank you for providing a place for us to grow deeper in God & His word.
I had asked for prayer for my nephew, Milo, who was diagnosed with leukemia a month ago. His first month of treatment went so well, and his blood counts are exactly where the oncologist wants them to be.
Unfortunately, he’s now starting to encounter some of the rougher parts of chemo: infections and hair loss and swelling from steroids. He’s only 5 but is already telling his parents that he doesn’t like to look at himself in the mirror anymore.
Please pray for endurance and encouragement and healing. Pray that God would protect Milo’s sweet sensitive heart.
And currently, pray that his fevers stop soon so he can go home.
Thank you!
Grammie Sue I hope the appointment was fruitful today
Yes Leigh and Searching! Thank you for your thoughts!
Laura, I also live in PA. northeastern part. A little further north from where you are. I’ve heard about the whole thing there. Grateful for the vote, but understand what you are saying. The evil in this world will come back with different words. Sad, but true. Praying we continue to stand strong for our children, for other believers as well.
I hope and pray that we really would be able to follow God’s commands throughout all of our life, in good days and bad days and every day in between. God’s commands help us be accountable for our own actions, responsible, mature.. and simply help us love God more. I pray that whatever the enemy wants to attack and deceive us, that we would always run to Jesus. Amen ❤️
Truth is such an interesting concept in our world today. So many people don’t believe in ultimate truth anymore. People make up their own “truth.” I pray I would hold onto God’s truth in a world that had redefined truth.
“To trust His words entirely is to trust Him entirely.” Wow. This study is absolutely amazing and truly eye-opening. It’s easy to find ourselves slipping into the habit of questioning His word without even realizing it. We need to be aware of this too. Wow.
I love….”He is the Truth we need to put on”
If I find myself asking “Did God really say…?” I know I’m actually looking for a loophole or an excuse to do what I want. I’m questioning God’s authority, wisdom and love. I know what God’s Word says. I know His Word is always trustworthy. I daily pray to be guided by the Holy Spirit so that I would walk in His way, not my own.
“He is the truth we need to put on.” WOW!!! WOW!!! That says it ALL. Yana summed it all up in that one sentence. When we put the Lord on we have NOTHING to worry about.
Keeping it short today b/c I have to take my car to get looked at — it’s leaking fluid and over heating and the heater doesn’t work. :(
Be blessed and be proud of being a Christian sisters.
♥️ Thank you for sharing this ♥️
Wow.the enemy removed her armor. That hit home for me.
Man!! This study is so good! I especially loved Psalm 119:158-168 — I wrote that down to refer to again, as the weeks pass. My heart reverberated with those words. God’s word is beautiful! <3 though sometimes, my flesh wrestles with that, I know it to be true. :)
@Susan L — I will pray for your daughters. Be encouraged, if they are even going to church on holidays. That tells me they still know the importance of it. As a person in her very late 20s, I can tell you that this decade has tested my faith a lot. Culture is strong, but God is stronger. The Prince of Peace defeated the prince of the air (Ephesians 2:2 came to mind during today's reading).
God bless your beautiful daughters, Susan. May the Lord direct their hearts toward Him and show them they need Him, eternally. May He give them grace and direct their paths to Truth Himself. God, please protect them and lead them to a life of Truth.
@Searching — Amen!! I love singing that line in the song Waymaker. I believe it. Love that you have a plaque about the waiting :)
@Laura– I also live in PA (the Poconos). I think that's a thought to ponder, that it could have been named something else– praise the Lord it wasn't, and that club was not established!!! God bless your voice and commitment to your community. May God continue to work in your daughter's heart and show her He loves her and wants all of her. God bless your family.
May we surround ourselves with the Lord’s belt of truth daily! ❤️
Every piece of armor reflects back to God. It’s HIS armor. We are clothing ourselves with him.
Instead of looking to check the boxes of what part of the armor you have on, seek him and he will be found. And in the seeking, who he is will reflect on to who we are and we will be clothed with his armor. It’s all about what our focus is on and who we decide to follow— God or ourselves.
Every piece of armor reflects back to God. It’s HIS armor. We are clothing ourselves with him.
Kristin, I love what your grandmother said!❤️
I love this study on the armor of God. It’s the first time that I am truly understanding it. Thank you SRT! Also, while reading about Eve in the garden it stood out to me that Eve saw the tree, delighted in looking at the tree, and then desired the tree for obtaining wisdom. She looked, delighted, and desired and that lead to sin. I need to nip temptation at the start. When I look and see, that’s when I need to stand in God’s truth. It was eye opening for me today.
When paired with the verse from genesis the passage made a lot of sense. Eve didn’t need those things until she fell for the serpent’s lies. He planted the seed the removed her armour. And we have to choose daily to put our armour on so we can be swayed like Eve.
Something I heard today and felt compelled to share in the chance anyone here could benefit- I’ve read comments about past regrets and fear of “sinning too much”, etc and I wanted to encourage you with what I was encouraged with.
If ANY future fear, past choice, sin, regret, shame, WHATEVER- that causes you to feel separated from your Father and Savior, or to act in a way that makes you distance yourself from Him- that “WHATEVER” that’s haunting you is NOT from God. Which means it has to be from your enemy.
God is a pursuer. It’s what he’s always done and what he will always do. He will never do anything to separate you or make you think you need to separate yourself. If he did, then he allowed his only son to suffer and die for nothing. Jesus took that fear and shame- our past ones and future ones- and put an end to all of it. He conquered it. And through Jesus YOU are a conqueror as well. Call that fear out. Call that guilt out. And take it Jesus- literally tattle on your enemy! Your Father wants to protect you and be near to you- I want to encourage you to trade in the enemy’s lies and tactics for your Father’s truth and love. Hope that encourages SOMEONE today :) :) :)
This reminds me of something my grandmother told me “speaking truth to someone without love is hurtful. Loving someone without speaking truth is deceitful.” And that is why God’s word says we are to “speak truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
Praying that God’s Truth out shines any other “truth” of this world. We are so easily deceived! May each of us put on the FULL armor of God – everyday, not just the parts that we think suit us, but ALL!
Praying for each request as I read them – @ CATHERINE, LETHUA, JB, ALLY, AND SUSAN. May God answer each and everyone, in His timing, according to His will.
Today my She Sisters – be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power!
Amen. Thank you for sharing. We need to focus on His Truth. Delving in to His word is the way to do that.
Wow!!!!
I feel today was truly the first time this passage really made sense! Grateful that God helped me really understand today!! Have a blessed day ladies!
Good morning She’s.
I too concur with Leigh and Searching, to be aware of the enemy on ALL fronts (and backs!). There are so many deceivers and manipulators of the TRUTH, the WORD. Many of our young kids want everyone to “speak THEIR truth, and to do what makes them happy, But God, He warns of this, of being in the world. And this self-truth is so rampant and so harmful.
Heavenly Father, we are in such crazy times of social media with everyone telling us one thing or another, breeding lies into our youth and young adults, and even those in the church. Help us to keep your belt of truth tight and strong around our core.
Praying for the requests! Have a great day as you stand in the truth! (There’s a song out right now “STAND” that is great! Look it up!)
Wow….this really spoke to me…not realizing that I, too, have said, “Did God really say…” OUCH
Wow….this really spoke to me…not realizing that I, too, hsve said, “Did God really say…”
Please pray for my 3 girls – in their mid to late 20’s. They quit going to church – Jesus is not the center of their lives anymore Praise God 2 went to Easter services with us and my second daughter who just moved to Nashville tried a church there but they didn’t even celebrate Easter Sunday there. Pray for Christ loving friends for them. Thank you sisters in Christ.
Please pray for my 3 girls – in their mid to late 20’s. They quit going to church – Jesus is not the center of their lives anymore Praise God 2 went to Easter services with us and my second daughter who just moved to Nashville tried a church there but they didn’t even celebrate Easter Sunday there. Pray for Godly
Please pray for my 3 girls – in their mid to late 20’s. They quit going to church – Jesus is not the center of their lives anymore Praise God 2 went to Easter services with us and my second daughter who just moved to Nashville tried a church there but they didn’t even celebrate Easter Sunday there. with
I think another valuable lesson to attach here is to make sure it is God’s truth and not humans’ “truth” that we are supporting. I mean that through the church body as well. We are not immune (in fact, we can be some of the worst offenders) in manipulating scripture to meet our own self-righteous agenda. It can come through not “did God really say” (which can be how outside influences can approach deceit) but through “God ACTUALLY meant [this]” which is how so many who call themselves believers, can sneak in agendas that were never God’s message. If we are to be vigilant against the outside forces (which we absolutely need to be, always), we need to be just as vigilant to hold to the Light everything those in our fold can also put forth in efforts to control the narrative or further their particular views which can’t be validated clearly in His Word. It happens so often in our communities and we need to stand firm against those onslaughts just as much. I think of this when SEARCHING mentioned guarding the back door also. I echo that and think it is important to shine a light to the practices that can happen right in our midst. If it doesn’t FULLY align with His Word (& be careful of lose interpretations), then we need to set it aside. Only pick up His authentic Truth (capital T), not humans’ “truth” (lower case t). ❤️ May I keep my mind steadied on Truth, to have it ready whenever any manipulation comes calling.
I’m thankful for the strength I find in His truth. Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. he will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Gods word is to be trusted. All of it. I know I’ve been guilty of thinking “did God really say?” or “do I really have to do this?”. When I try to cheat it is when I’m in fact cheating myself. Cheating my relationship with God.
As I ponder the lies I believe, two come to mind. That I am worthless and that I can’t do anything right. I have gotten much better over the years in believing these falsehoods, but they still effect my daily life. I am going to see a Christian counselor to help me break away from these strongholds. I know God wants to set me free.
Whoops- **I’m so THANKFUL that God is so strong and that His truths are so strong.**
I’m so that God is so strong and that His truths are so strong. I have so much anxiety and I am so grateful that the armor God provides is enough to get me through the days. I try to trust Him with everything. Psalm 119:160-The entirety of Your word is truth, each of Your righteous judgments endures forever. Dear God, please help me trust You even more. Please help TAYLOR and me and all others who struggle with anxiety to lean into You and Your strength and truth. In Jesus’s precious name I pray, amen.
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Standing in Gods truth is a powerful, yet passive, weapon of protection against the enemy.
Truth means a lot to me and I have been pondering it for awhile. We have been criticized for speaking truth to our wayward daughter, who is believing full-blown lies about herself and humanity at the moment, and because we insist on truth, she no longer wants us in her life. It has been difficult, but we feel it is the right thing to do – that it is right in God’s eyes and as Christian parents, a stance we must take, even though we have(for now) lost our daughter. I live in Pennsylvania, and this week a nearby school board was asked to vote on allowing a Satan Worship club to be included in school activities. After hours of debate, it was voted against 8 to 1. Of course I rejoiced in this decision, but I thought later…what if the club had NOT called itself the Satan Worship club, but instead had used other words to describe itself, which are prevalent today in our society, words that many accept as “loving” and “inclusive.” Would the club STILL be voted down? Because I personally feel that there are a lot of lies told in the changing of words. So while I’m thankful that the club did not get approved, I feel that we must stay on our guard for other things that we approve of that may indeed be Satan Worship, they are just not “truthful” enough to call it that.
Prayers that we trust in God no matter what today brings
I’ve always felt the same way about the armor of God passage — all those fake swords and shields and helmets! The military metaphor has never appealed to me. Anyway, I appreciate this study as I’ve always been resistant to it.
Such a good reminder today to stay rooted in the Word especially after my 3-week hiatus from my regular morning Scripture-reading routine. I need to constantly read and meditate on God’s Word in order for it to sink down into my soul and allow me to reflect God’s love to all those around me. I loved Psalm 119:65 “Great PEACE have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”
Thank you for digging deeper into this passage and asking “How does putting on truth enable to stand against the devils schemes” and “how does putting on lies or half truths cause me to stumble?”. There’s so much to unpack personally in those 2 questions as we think about what it means to live daily for God and make decisions about following His Word. I tell my kids all the time, “To defend truth you have to know truth. And to know truth, you have to read truth.”
I think without even knowing it, I decide for myself the parts of Gods word to listen to. But in that I am not living truth. Praying for clarity in all my actions today to remember the truth Gods commands and grow towards Christ in likeness.
Thank you for digging deeper into this passage and asking “How does putting on truth enable to stand against the devils schemes” and “how does putting on lies or half truths cause me to stumble?”.
Same!
Ah yes, the Party City props. So relatable! But this is a beautiful reminder of our Protector, loving us so much that He’s given us instructions on how to live. He knew we would need it in this fallen world!
Thank you KELLY (NEO) for sharing the section from HRT. I smiled that he was also thinking about cinching. It lead me to read it and I also loved the last line about Christ knowing us and loving us.
Did God really say??? Phew— this is convicting in many levels, and I welcome that feeling to set me on the right path. This is why I’ve been intentional about leaning and learning the Word of God. I fell in the “did God really say or meant that?” So many times because I did. It know the Word of God. Thank you God for giving me clarity and discernment to k is that if it’s written, it is your Word and I should not question it.
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YANA CONNER – a timely and excellent devo today, thank you!
I read the Scriptures before the devo this morning and a couple of things came to mind. When we put on God’s armor, don’t put it on loosely, haphazardly or off center. Put it on straight, buckle tight and cinch it down with no wiggle room. The evil one will try to slip through any crack that can be found and try every angle using dressed up lies, especially the ones that have worked on us before. The second thought (that goes along these same lines) was that as we are putting on this armor, preparing ourselves through prayer and His word, protecting this temple of Him living in us – don’t forget to guard the back door. The in-your-face, outrageous (at least to believers), overt lies, ideas and actions can many times be quickly seen and deflected. The sneaky half truths or as Yana pointed out, the “did God really mean” questions, the “that was back then, not applicable now” thinking or seemingly harmless compromises – these can be difficult to spot and deflect if that armor isn’t secure. When I find/have found myself thinking “how did I get myself into this?”, I can think back and many times see where I let down my guard.
Yesterday’s comments – wow, such amazing and encouraging testimonies! CHELSEA HOOGENBOOM, MOLLY, HEIDI, CHURCHMOUSE, LAURA. Read them all, sorry if I missed a name.
Praying for you DANA COOK as you grieve the loss of your son and cling to the Lord, and those who also have experienced the loss of a child KIRSTYN WRIGHT, LINDA GILBOW,STEPHANIE, KRISTIN, TRACI G, DOROTHY and so many others.
MELINDA – praying for husband’s job situation
MICHELLE PATIRE – joining you in praise for your sister’s card. In our waiting, God is working – I bought a plaque with this on it and it is a good reminder to keep praying as He is always listening.
LEHUA – praying for answers to the hives and mysteries
GAYLE R – praising for son’s sobriety and praying for him to turn to God
DABRIA – agreeing with REBEKAH HAM, read His word and lean into the peace of God
TINA – Thank you for the shout out/reach out, love you sister! Praying for you and sending a great big hug to you!
Agreed!
Yana Conner & Miriam AMEN sisters❤
Aloha, Lehua K! May the Lord give you and your husband wisdom with these strange happenings.
From the HRT devotional today “The fundamental truth of the gospel is this: God’s love for us is stronger than our sin against Him. Like a belt, we must strap this promise to ourselves and cinch it tight, for it holds everything else up.”
Tina – thanks for popping in ❤
ERB ❤
Praying for the requests made yesterday
Truth is easy to take for granted. Especially in an age where it is so hard to pinpoint with all the different voices. I’m thankful God’s truth never changes.
If anyone feels so compelled, I am going thru psychiatric medicine issues. It has me out of balance. Would you please pray that God would lead my doctor today to help me get here I need to be. I see her today. Thank you.
Amen
Aloha She’s! I haven’t commented in a really long time, but I read all of your comments every day along with the devotional and it uplifts my spirit. I always look forward to it! Thank you all for being such an encouraging community.
I have a small prayer request.. I’ve been struggling with random outbreaks of hives for the past few months, and I’m really working on giving it all to God. It was encouraging to read Job’s response yesterday in the devotional. I know my hives are most likely food related because I recently learned about some of my mild food sensitivities, and I haven’t followed it that well. In addition to that though, my husband has recently been getting marks on his legs that look like bug bites, so he’s been sleeping in our other room to test if it’s our bed. It’s all very puzzling because I haven’t been getting the same bites but I still sleep in our bed.
Humbly asking for prayers, it’s very much appreciated.
Amen. This is good.
‘It’s the trustworthiness of His character that enables us to stand against the devil’s schemes.’ It’s trusting in *Him*.
I want to say “Thank you” to the women who have been praying me and my daughter. It has made me tear up.
I love the passage in Psalm 119. (Actually I live the whole lot of that psalm.) I know that God will answer as He has answered other prayers. It just has to be in His timing and His way. And as it says in Day 3, we have to stop the imagination and go to God’s word.
I want to say “Thank you” to the women who have been praying me and my daughter. It has made me tear up.
Very well put, thank you Yana! This is a much needed word for a culture, in which we are very tempted to set-aside rules we consider old-fashioned and stingy and over-emphasise “grace” instead of actually holding to God’s good law.
Lord, forgive! And protect us from these pit-falls – may we be wrapped in the truth of your wonderful character!