This episode emphasizes how the character of the evangelist significantly impacts future receptivity, either confirming negative stereotypes of the evangelist or overthrowing them. Many have had negative encounters with preachers whom they label as argumentative, dogmatic, close-minded, self-righteous, and "holier-than-thou." While Christianity is the exclusive means of salvation and all other religions are false, some Christians come off as arrogant monopolizers of the truth who came to faith through their own efforts, apart from grace. They "win" arguments, talking over and disrespecting unbelievers. The episode queries, "if you were wrong, how would you like to be corrected?" While Christians have the Truth, they don't own it or control it. And self-righteously weaponizing the Truth to win arguments or culture-wars makes one the ostensible "owner" of Truth, when he is just a steward. The evangelist must do everything to convey that he is mere steward of the grace of God, among many. He didn't "find" Christ, the Truth found him. He preaches repentance and faith in Christ to unbelievers, using his former life as Exhibit A of a life under judgment. The episode closes with the admonition to guard one's tongue. While unbelievers are rarely persuaded on the first encounter, the initial meeting with the evangelist can make or break future receptivity. A non-argumentative and respectful posture that is eager to LISTEN more than speak prepares the soil for gospel seeds planted on subsequent encounters.
Are You Putting on the Right Armor?
This episode addresses the belt of truth by contrasting it with the belt of the autonomous self, the outlook of all who reject Christ. The belt of the old self is actually a lie and corresponds with the great exchange of Rom 1:25, where unbelievers "exchange the truth of God for a lie." This episode, following the pattern of Eph. 6:10-17, contrasts the armor of God with the armor of man. Every faculty in unregenerate man is devoted to protecting the autonomous self which is principally defined by devotion to the "lusts of deceit." Some of the armor pieces of the autonomous self are the breastplate of self-confidence, the shield of independence, the shoes of hostility, and the sword of the soul, the word of the self. The episode provides a stark contrast of how believers and unbelievers engage the world. Believers are called to honestly evaluate their lingering sympathies with "the lie," while unbelievers are called to reassess their commitment to the lie.
I want the Truth..But not Yet
This episode calls believers to put on the belt of truth, fully cognizant that much of us still embraces the lie. Consequently, the life of sanctification is one in which our fleshly natures are subject to being offended and injured by the Spirit of Truth. The episode develops the dynamics of the flesh/spirit conflict in the context of receiving and being injured by the Truth. "The old self which is being corrupted by the lusts of deceit" (Eph. 4:22) is always threatened by God's "desire for truth in the inward parts." (Psalm 51:6) Realistically appreciating this dynamic in our own lives is essential to fully putting on the belt of truth. Christians are better off and safer by being injured by Truth than they are if they embrace the lusts of deceit, which eventually bring forth excruciating pain. The episode is a sober primer for anyone suffering from addictions, in which the lusts of deceit hide a harvest from hell.
Can You Handle the Truth?
This episode begins the application of putting on the belt of truth in the context of spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10-18). It begins with the challenges of being led by the Spirit when confronting someone else with the truth, noting the necessity of relying on God's power and wisdom. Most can't handle the truth, so minimally believers need to wait on God's power and direction in confrontation. That most people resist the truth highlights the initial universal rejection of truth, according to Romans 1:18. Yet, in the case of believers, the Holy Spirit overcomes this resistance. The episode elaborates on the convictions of John 16:8-11 and explains how the Holy Spirit reverses the Great Exchange, where all of us exchange the truth of God for a lie.