THE BELT OF TRUTH (The Armor of God) Ephesians 6:10-17
"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,: Eph. 6:14
A girdle was a belt. Its most immediate and practical use for a soldier was to gird (hold tight) his tunic so he might be free in his movement; it also provided a place to hang his sword. The imagery here is that truth holds together all other virtues and makes them effectual.
We must be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, we must put on the whole armor of God (vv 10-11.) Strength and power are necessary because we are in a battle for our own souls and the soul of others. We can't ever leave the house without putting on the whole armor and mean what we are doing. If we do not - we won't be safe - we become open prey for the devil.
The faithful Christian life is a battle; It is warfare on a grand scale - because when God begins to bless, Satan begins to attack. Look what Satan tried to do to Jesus for 40 days (see Luke 4:2). It didn't work because Jesus Christ came to do the will of the Father in full obedience.
It is essential to put on the armor of God because as believers grow stronger, Satan attacks will also be more intense. Christians don't become complacent or retreat growing in Christ - don't leave the front lines of service. When you put on the Armor of God - do it permanently!
Stand firm - resist spiritual warfare. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
"The greatest joys come in the greatest victories, and the greatest victories come from the greatest battles - when they are fought in the power and with the armor of the Lord." (thoughts by MacArthur)
Watch out for the "schemes of the devil" The devil is looking for any part of your life he can sneakingly infiltrate - nothing stops his persistence - EXCEPT GOD'S ARMOR! God gives us all we need to grow spiritually. The devil will be, at times, direct and at other times very subtle - he wants you to doubt God's motives and distrust the Lord. He wants to catch you "off guard."
The belt of truth basically refers to the content of that which is true. The content of God's truth is absolutely essential for the believer in his battle against the schemes of Satan. The false schemes of Satan can be successfully encountered only with the truth of the Word of God.
To be girded ... with truth shows an attitude of readiness and of genuine commitment. Every encumbrance that might hinder your work for the Lord is gathered and tucked into your belt of truthfulness so that it will be out of the way. Just as the serious soldier tucks in every loose piece of clothing before the battle.
Make your walk with God a total commitment - be disciplined - then you will be prepared for any spiritual warfare that tries to break through your armor. Romans 12:1,2 reminds us to renew our minds. When your mind is renewed in commitment to God's truth, there is empowerment to be a living sacrifice that pleases God.
So if you forgot to put on your girdle of truth today - go back - make sure all spiritual warfare is covered. Actually, put on the armor of God once and be determined to make it stick. Mean business with God.
Fight the good fight with all they might;
Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right.
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.
-John Monsell
