Last Part, Part 6 of the armor of God series. The belt of truth
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.
If you are born into a wasp home in America, you’ve heard about the Armor of God at least a hundred times. The Bible tells us to put it on. God tells us to do that cause it’s important. But we (including myself) as Bible Believing Christians can’t even tell you what the items of the ‘whole Armor of God’ are. Nor even how many items there are.
Yet we (myself included) are quick to say ‘pray for me brother, Satan is beating the bark off of me’. Take your time, read the Word every day, equip yourself. Catholics make fun of evangelical’s Sola Scriptura (Word Only) but ask a priest how to get saved. If it wasn’t so sad that people actually trust him with their souls, it would be hilarious. But the Word, (Scriptura) is all we need to live eternally. Both Revelation (end of the Bible) and Deuteronomy (beginning) warn us to not add or subtract to the Word of God. If we read it and obey it, our lives will make sense, we will be able to explain what we believe and help others to know the Truth as well, which is what this missive is about.
We are at war. We need to put on our Armor of God every day. I even need my Armor on when I am going shopping, taking a walk, or even while I am just watching youtube or face book. Most of the armor is defensive, with an offensive sword and shield.
It is fitting that the belt of truth is the first piece of the whole armor of God.
Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” John 14:6
It is only through God the Son Jesus, that we come to God the Father. Therefore, this Truth is of the utmost importance in the life of a Christian. It holds us together, and a wide belt protects our stomach as well. Without truth, the rest of the armor would be of no use to us because we would not have the Spirit of truth to stand on. Also, our only two ‘Offensive items of the Armor of God, Sword of the Word and Shield of Faith’ hang on this belt of Truth
In referring to the whole armor of God, Paul invokes the image of a soldier ready for battle. We as soldiers are to be self sufficient. We need to be self sufficient in combat, not distracting other soldiers because we are unprepared. Believe it or not, as a truly born again Christian, every day is spiritual warfare. A wounded or weak enemy is better than a dead enemy. Something like a bullet to the gut takes 3 soldiers out of action (because 2 are trying to drag a hysterical soldier screaming in pain to the medic). Put on all your gear, every day, so you can take care of yourself. Can’t put it on though if you don’t know what it is. First of all, you need to know the items of the Armor of God that we have gone over for the past 6 weeks.
The belt of a Roman soldier in Paul’s day was not a simple leather strap such as we wear today. It was like a thick leather wide and heavy sash that could deflect an arrow, spear or sword thrust to the gut. The belt of truth is a crucial piece of defensive armor guarding our inmost being in the battle against the lies and deceptions of the enemy. Without a solid understanding of truth, we are left vulnerable to being “carried about by every wind of doctrine”
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;