Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put 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…..
In Ephesians, one quickly notes that the believer has many resources to benefit him in his service to God. In the final section of the letter, Paul introduces the Christian to the powerful enemy but also to the power that is found within the armor of God. Before advancing to the discussion of the Belt of Truth, notice the following things that are afforded to the believer according to the Ephesian letter. They are listed as follow:
- All spiritual blessings -- 1:3
- A place in the family of God -- 1:5
- Forgiveness of sin -- 1:7
- The believer has received knowledge, understanding, & prudence 1:8
- The mystery of God will be revealed to thebeliever -- 1:9
- The promise of an inheritance, which is salvation and heaven -- 1:11
- Have been given the Word of Truth, the gospel of salvation -- 1:13
DEVIL (accuser)-- the main title for the fallen angelic being who is the supreme enemy of God and man. Satan is his name, and devil is what he is-the accuser or deceiver. The title "devil" appears 35 times in the NKJV. The term comes from a Greek word that means "a false witness" or "malicious accuser." LIAR
Several descriptive phrases applied to the devil in the New Testament point out the nature of his wicked personality and the extent of his evil deeds.
- The Wicked or Evil One (Matt. 6:13; 13:19,38; 1 John 2:13). This phrase depicts the devil's fundamental nature. He is in direct opposition to everything God is or all he wishes to do.
- Enemy (Matt. 13:25,28,39). The devil is man's worst enemy. He is an enemy of Christ, the church, and the gospel;
- Murderer (John 8:44). "He was a murderer from the beginning" are strong words from the lips of Jesus. The devil killed Abel and the prophets, and he wanted to kill Jesus before His time (8:40).
- Deceiver (Rev. 20:10). Starting with Eve, the devil has attempted to deceive every living soul. Evil men operating under the power of the evil one will continue to deceive (2 Tim. 3:13).
- Beelzebub, Prince of Demons (god of dung & flies) (Matt. 9:34; 12:24).
- Ruler of This World (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Three times Jesus called the devil the "ruler of this world." The devil offered the world to Jesus if He would worship him (Luke 4:5-7), but the Lord refused with these words, "Get behind me Satan"
The devil tempts, but God provides a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13); the devil tries to take advantage of people (2 Cor. 2:11), but he will flee if fought (James 4:7). The devil should not be feared, for Jesus is more powerful than this deceiving prince of the demons (1 John 4:4).
History. Two Old Testament passages-- (Isaiah 14:12-15) and (Ezekiel 28:11-19)-- furnish a picture of Satan's original condition and the reasons for his loss of that position. These passages were addressed originally to the kings of Babylon and Tyre. But in their long-range implications, many scholars believe, they refer to Satan himself.
WE ARE GIVEN AND HAVE
• Sealed by the Holy Ghost -- 1:13
• The Spirit of wisdom, revelation, and knowledge -- 1:17
• Exceeding power to do above & beyond what we may think or imagine by His power -- 1:19; 3:20
• In the Christian is the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead 1:20-23
• The indwelling of the Spirit has defeated the works of sin -- 2:1-3
• Have received the mercy and love of God -- 2:4
• The Christian is the masterpiece (workmanship) of God -- 2:10
• There is power in the blood of Christ -- 2:13
• Christians are fellow citizens w/saints & members of household God 2:19
• The Christian is the agent of God to carry out His mission -- 2:22
• Strengthened by the might of His Spirit -- 3:16
• Given love of Christ which passes knowledge & understanding 3:19
This list is only a partial listing as it only comes from the first three chapters of the letter to the Ephesians.
B. The Enemy
withstood God in His own creation Isaiah 14:9-23; Eze 28:11-19
He withstands man -- l Thess 2:8; ll Cor 4:2-4
He destroyed the innocence of man in Garden of Eden Gen3:1-7
He wants to annihilate Israel -- Numerous NT/OT references
He attempted to stop birth, life, resurrection, & ascension of Jesus. In future, he will attempt to stop the Second Coming
He tries to stop the work of the Church --- Revelation 2:10
He tries to hinder the work of true believers -- l Thess 2:18
He will try to hold the world until Jesus Christ comes back to His rightful place of rulership -- l John 5:19
You will be sure to be an excellent soldier who endures hardness (l Tim. 1:18) if you will put on the full suit of armor that has been provided to us.
C. The Attack of the Enemy -- His Approach Mechanisms
Even though the Christian is provided with the armor of God, the Bible still sheds some insight as to how the devil goes about seeking whom he may devour. The wiles of the devil are numerous. Yet, God, in His foresight, has made it so that no temptation can approach the Christian unless there is an escape. Thus the following ways are identified by the Word of God to assist us in defeating the devil.
DOUBT. Satan uses this avenue to undermine the character and credibility of God in the eyes of the believer. He attempts to create doubt concerning the Word of God, His Power, His Mercy, His Grace, His Love, but also His Judgment. As with Eve in the Garden of Eden, the serpent interjected the seed of doubt concerning the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. Satan is a liar (Jn. 8:44) and the Christian must remember the God is incapable of lying (Titus 1:2). Jesus was quite frank with Peter concerning his doubt. He stated, “Satan desires to sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31).
PERSECUTION. Satan wants to make the Christian life difficult to live. He works to accomplish this in three ways. First, outright persecution that is blatant. It may come from family, co-workers, or even from the government.
FALSE DOCTRINE. Many Christians today are confused and rattled if their faith is challenged. The easy influence of false doctrine comes about because very little time is spent in the Book. Very few Christians spend enough time in the Word of God to even know their own basic beliefs. The best remedy for false doctrine is the careful exegesis and systematic study and teaching of the Bible.
HINDRANCES TO THE MINISTRY. Ezekiel 34 gives the sad state of negligent shepherds. If the devil can wound and disarm any effective
minister, then a large portion of his job is done.
DISUNITY. Satan works constantly to bring about division within the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 1-3 deals mainly with the division that was prevalent within the church at Corinth. Matthew 18 is a very strong chapter where Jesus outlined how men were to handle difficult situations within the Church. Ephesians 4:3-4 commands us to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Unity is something that must be contended for. It is an integral part of every church. Disunity leads to strife and bitterness because it is rooted in bitterness.
SELF-SUFFICIENCY. Satan urges Christians to trust in their own resources. 1 Chronicles 21 gives the account of the actions of David who numbered his men to find out his strength. God condemned him for it and seventy thousand men died because of the sin of the king. Our strength does not come from our talent or ability. It is His power that creates any success that we may
WORLDLINESS. Satan is constantly sowing his tares among the believers. Paul, in his epistle to the Romans spoke in three verses the most effective way to combat worldliness. Romans 6:13, never allow room for sin. Romans 12:1-2, present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, which is your reasonable service.
Greek Word Studies
Ephesians 6:14 -- Girt. . .(per-id-zone'-noo-mee); to tighten all around, to fasten on one's belt: to equip oneself with knowledge of the truth. This is an action and attitude.
Ephesians 6:14 -- Loins (os-foos') , i.e. the hip; procreative power:
readiness for active service for the Lord
ll. THE BELT OF TRUTH -- EPHESIANS 6:14A
“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth. . .”
A. A Brief Greek Word Study -- Truth -- ALEITHIA
Stand therefore, be firm, having your loins girt about with truth or truthfulness. The loins are to be girt about with the ALEITHIA. Truth is the inward, practical acknowledgment of the truth as it is manifested by God’s character and His Word.
Truth is the Word of God.
Truth is the opposite of Satan’s falsehood.
Truth is the revelation of God.
Truth is non-hypocritical.
Truth is an attitude that the Christian must live out.
Truth is honesty and integrity with God, with self, and with others.
Truth is righteousness.
Truth is commitment.
The belt of truth will save us from the “cunning craftiness” (Eph. 4:14) and from the “winds of doctrine.” The loins were encircled by the girdle which would form the central point of the physical body. In Scripture, the loins are recognized as the place or seat of power.
The way that truth is imparted to us, comes from the teaching of the Word of God. Then it becomes the imperative responsibility of the Christian to incorporate into the walk with God. The epistles to the Corinthians deal with much false testimonies of the day. An example of this was the way that Paul dealt with meat being offered to idols. In that portion of the discussion, Paul proclaims that all false teaching comes from the devil (l Cor. 10:20-21). Thus, a high priority is placed on sound truth.
B. Paul’s Concept of the Spiritual Battle
Wherever he went, the Apostle Paul could not help seeing Roman soldiers and hearing about their exploits. None of the New Testament apostles and preachers seemed to be quite as aware of the spiritual struggle as Paul. Ephesians chapter six is a catalog of weapons which also can be acknowledged as virtues. Paul had become familiar with the following ideas and formulations:
The equation of spiritual weapons with “weapons.”
The designation of these arms as “weapons of light” or “weapons of righteousness.”
The distinction between “worldly weapons,” serving a “worldly” behavior, & weapons that are useful for the good fight/conduct
The reference to “sons of light” and the description of the whole life as a military service (STRATEUOMAI) or contest (AGONIZOMAI).
Paul interprets his literal and metamorphical references to arms and warfare as call to prayer for the undaunted continuation of the mission work throughout the world Aren’t you glad that you have enlisted in this army? God has the capability and supplying the believer both with the tools to win the war and also the victory.
C. The Belt of Truth
In the days of the Romans, soldiers would wear tunics. This tunic was very heavy material made into a square. It had a hole for the head and for the arms and would serve much like a poncho. The soldier would never go to war with this tunic flapping in the breeze because to do so would create a very vulnerable liability for his safety. He would wear a belt to keep the material gathered so that it was tight and compact. One of the three different types of belts were worn by soldiers as referred to in Ephesians 6:14.
1. One was a leather apron worn by the Roman soldiers to protect their lower abdominal region. This apron also served as an anchor to tie down the breastplate. (This specific interpretation of “girding up” suggests that Paul follows in verses fourteen through seventeen the normal sequence of putting on or taking up one piece of equipment after another.)
3. The special belt or sash designating an officer or high official. Such can be cross referenced to Isaiah 11:5, “Righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins.” This girdle in Isaiah is a distinctive sign of the high office held by the “Branch” who is the Messiah.
In Exodus 12:11, the command was given for Israel to “gird up the loins.” Preparation was taken before they left Egypt. To be given such a command would cause one to anticipate a journey. In Luke 12:35, Jesus gave the command also to gird up the loins. He gave the Church the requirements for His return. Thus the belt of truth is symbolic with readiness, preparedness, anticipation of a journey, working, officiating (a priest or judge), fighting in an arena, or in a war.
In hand to hand combat, the soldier did not want anything to entangle his hands or slow his movements in the heat of the fight. In ll Timothy 2:3-4, Paul told Timothy to endure hardness as a good soldier. Then he exhorted Timothy not to become entangled with the affairs of life. The belt of truth allows the believer not to allow the entanglements of life to destroy him. It does so by providing truth to every lie that the devil will manufacture. When one wears the belt of truth all things from the world must be severed.
The belt being made of leather is not coincidence. The leather is significant for it’s endurance and longevity. The Sword (Word of God) is attached to the Belt (Truth). Truth is revealed in the Word. The Sword of the Spirit is attached to the Belt of Truth.
It was common to have a matching strap so that emblems and insignias could be placed on it. These were marks of identification, decorations, or awards from earlier battles the soldier had participated in and had demonstrated bravery and valiance. When the soldier wears the belt of truth and draws the Sword of the Spirit battles are won. It is a fitting combination.
The weapons as a whole provided another aspect to the battle and the enemy. The function of the weapons were not restricted to their use in combat. They were used for the following:
• For protection of the warrior who wears them.
• The destruction of the foes of the warrior.
- John 4:24 -- God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
- Psalm 145:18 -- The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
- 1 Peter 1:22 -- Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit….
- Psalm 57:3 -- He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
D. The Approach of the Warrior
Truthfulness is an attitude of readiness and commitment. The warrior must approach the battle with seriousness. When one places the belt about his waist, he is signaling his readiness. The belt was placed on last. Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds the warrior to lay aside every weight. 1 Cor 9:24 exhorts the warrior to run that he will win the prize. If a soldier is going to the fight, then do it to win. The victory of the soldier provides him an incorruptible crown.
The approach of the warrior must also be marked with discipline. Paul spoke that he brought his body under subjection (l Cor. 9:26-27). Discipline involves praying at inopportune times. It involves laying down a good novel to dig out some things in the Word of God. It involves showing up at a mid-week Bible study when “everyone” else is staying home. The marks of discipline are the marks of a winner.
Romans 12:1 is a powerful Scripture given to warriors. Paul was urging that men present themselves as living sacrifices before God. Do so because of the mercies of God. What are the mercies of God? Romans chapters one through eleven. Salvation, the destruction of the body of sin, justification by faith, the blessings of justification by faith, the limitation of Old Testament Law (no hope of being fulfilled in our lives), the spiritual life, the removal of condemnation, the sonship of the believer, all of these mark the mercies of God. Therefore, give your life as a living sacrifice to God. It is your reasonable service, the minimal requirement.
Philippians 1:9-10 prompts the Christian to remember that love should grow more and more in the situations that require knowledge and judgment. When this happens our sincerity will leave no room for hypocrisy. No man should be satisfied with mediocrity or lethargy in Christian living.
The old hymn writer, John Monzell, spoke of commitment and the power of God so well in his hymn.
Fight the good fight with all thy might, Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right,
Lay hold on eternal life, It shall be thy joy and crown eternally.
Run the straight race through God’s good grace, Lift up thine eyes and seek His face, Life with it’s way before thee lies,
Christ is the way and Christ the prize. Cast care aside, lean on thy Guide,
Lean, and His mercy will provide, Lean, and the trusting soul shall prove,
Christ is it’s life and Christ it’s love. Faint not nor fear,
