Belt of Truth
Ephesians chapter 6:10-6:20
Introduction-
Last week we begun a new series, “Putting on the armor of God”
We saw some people see demons behind every tree and there are some who have no idea that we are in a spiritual battle for our souls.
The two main points in the beginning verses
(1) Being strong in the Lord
(2) That the battle is not with each other, but spiritual.
Illustration last week with the fighter getting beat up and even thinking that the referee is beating on him is a real feeling because we have all felt that way.
Today we will start to look at the protection that a believer has available to them as they fight their spiritual battle.
Ephesians 6:10-20
Paul paints this picture of a Roman soldier with all his gear and describes God’s army using this analogy.
(13) “Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand,
(14) Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist with the breastplate of righteousness in place.”
There is only one point to drive home today, put on the belt of truth to live your life.
I. Belt of truth
The belt for the Roman soldier kept everything together.
It kept his clothing from dragging on the ground.
It was a belt that held his sword and gave him mobility.
To a soldier, he would not even think about dressing without putting on his belt.
To some of us, not wearing a belt would prove to be embarrassing, and to others watching,it would be funny.
Paul is telling the believers, that before we even think about doing battle, we must put on the belt of truth.
God calls many people to different things, but the one thing that God calls all believers is to protect ourselves with the armor God gave us.
He tells us that we are to do all that we know to do and then stand firm. The only way to stand firm is in the Lord.
Examples
God called Moses to confront Pharaoh, and he calls us to confront evil around us. He was going to use Moses to show the power of God working through him, and he wants to show those around us the power of God working through each of us.
Another example is David and Goliath. We think of the bravery and we think of a shepherd boy bringing down an enemy of Israel with a rock. But David used what he knew how to use.
They tried putting the armor of someone else on him, and it didn’t fit. God used David to show the power of God working through him.
The belt of truth is symbolic clothing of the Messiah in Isaiah 11:5 (talking about Jesus) “righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.”
I want you to see something here, that I believe is important.
God tells us to fight the battle of faith.
He tells us to fight to win the race and finish strong.
He does not say anywhere to go toe to toe with the enemy in your own strength!
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.”
Several times he uses the word stand. If God expected you to fight the devil yourself, he would have said here fight, or run, move like a butterfly, sting like a bee!
In the middle of a battle with the devil, He says stand!
Be immoveable!
Anchored!
Secure in Christ!
Literally the same Greek word for stand (ISS-sta-mee) is also the same Greek word for resist.
He is telling us STAND AGAINST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE.
James 4:7-
“Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
When the enemy attacks, I said when the enemy attacks and not if- you have the belt of truth on.
Jesus says I am the way, the truth , the life.
You are standing in the truth of Jesus Christ and in His authority, the devil must flee!
That is God’s Word! We have that in the authority of God!
Do you go toe to toe with the enemy- not in your strength
Do you challenge him to a spiritual battle- not in your strength.
But when he comes against you, you can stand firm in Jesus Christ.
You stand firm in Jesus Christ and His Word.
You stand firm in prayer for direction.
You stand firm and obey His teachings.
You can draw near to God, and He draws near to you- and you let God fight the battle!
Praise the Lord! That is good stuff!
For some this morning, the belt of truth might be for us to join Believers Boot Camp.
How do we know when and how to fight if some of us don’t know that we are in a fight?
How do you use the tools the Lord gives us if we are not reading God’s Word to see what is available to the believer.
Believers Boot Camp is admitting to the Lord that you need that armor of protection and allowing God to show you how to best use the equipment.
Illustration-
Myth Busters interviewed Deputy Shawn Osborne whose standard issue belt buckle saved his life. His belt buckle deflected a close range bullet saving his life. Now we know that during the time of the Roman Soldier, no shots were fired, but a soldier would not run out to battle without his belt.
His belt of truth held his weapon and secured his armor.
There is a reason that God put this as the first piece of armor, not the sword, not the breastplate of righteousness- no, the belt of truth!
The belt girds or secures the other pieces of armor.
The belt encompassed the soldier, and truth must encompass each of us as we seek the face of God for protection and wisdom.
His promises, His commands, His Word- they are truths plain and simple.
John says:
“Sanctify them by your truth, your word is truth.”
Questions to ask:
1. What is truth? Jesus Christ is truth.
2. What does the truth have to do with a belt? Just like the belt held all the soldiers pieces together, the truth of God holds and encompasses us as a believer.
Christians should test all things and then hold unto that which is good.
Hold the truth, and discard all else.
Proverbs 3:3-4
“Let not mercy and truth forsake you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.”
What lessons can we learn from the soldier’s analogy?
Luke
“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning, and you yourselves be like men who wait for the master.”
Jesus told us
“Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Rest in the truth- that the truth (Jesus Christ) will reveal to you.
Gird up your mind- prepare your mind for action.
What are the dangers of not wearing the belt?
To the soldier, he was undone, and dangerously unprepared for battle.
For us not wearing the belt: It is being open to spiritual attack
Romans 12:2
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
The world teaches that truth is what we make it- that good and bad are relative and that there are no absolutes, only equal valued opinions.
The Bible teaches that truth is God’s Word. That good and bad are defined by God and that there are eternal and unchangeable absolutes, uninfluenced by opinions (repeat)
Let me try to drive this home-
What good is a belt that does not go all the way around you? It is worthless.
Now imagine living a life and not totally living God’s way.
What are a few minor points of disagreement?
With God! Everything! To live God’s way without totally believing is like trying to hold up your sword with a belt that does not go all the way around.
Our trust in God must be solid! Without a break or we will find ourselves without a weapon.
No matter how well the rest of the armor works, if the truth of God is not around you, you have no sword!
We need to rightly divide the truth, knowing what we believe and why!
Closing:
You have to admit that you cannot do this on your own.
You have to draw near to God and allow God to fight those battles that you cannot win.
You have to make time for the Lord to show you His truths and apply them to your life.
You have to allow God to make those changes.
You have to admit, you have to draw near to God, you have to make time, and you have to allow God to make the necessary changes in your life.
That is putting on the truths of God!
That believer is how you begin to effectively wear the armor of God and fight the battles of life.
Amen.
