Intro: The government is looking for ways to save entitlement programs and the only place they look is more taxation. The environmentalists are looking for ways to save the planet and the only thing they can come up with is lower population. Politicians are looking to solve our illegal alien problem and most of them only come up with legalization. Isis is trying to change the world and they are using terrorism. All of these are using a wrong strategy. God has revealed in His word that the way to deal with all these and many other problems we face on this planet is transformation.
Do you remember that last week we learned that victory and change comes through fighting the battle the right way? We are engaged in a war with things unseen and we must use the correct strategy. Remember the Devil is a defeated foe, but it is usually when you back someone up in a corner that they are the most dangerous.
Paul has made it clear that we are to prepare for spiritual warfare by putting on the whole armor of God and we must begin with the belt of truth.
The belt on a Roman soldier wasn’t the most attractive piece of armor but it was the most important. It allowed them to tuck their tunic and keep from tripping and falling in combat. The belt was broad and composed of sturdy leather. From it hung an overlapping skirt of leather straps almost like an apron on which were decorative rivets. Also from the belt hung specialized hooks and holders on which to secure the scabbard that contained the dagger ("pugio"), the quiver which held lances, and an apparatus on which to rest the large battle shield. Also, on the belt were clips with which to hold the breastplate in its proper place. Supplies of bread, oil and water were also on the belt. The King James version tells us to gird up our loins with the belt of truth. To gird up means to prepare. Remember the Christian life is a battleground not a playground.
Read Ephesians 6:10-20
Realize that the Holman Christian Standard translates this portion of scripture marvelously well. It says, “Stand therefore, with truth like a belt around your waste” Paul is calling us to put on Christ!
Read Romans 13:11-14, Read Galatians 3:27 Paul is telling us in this passage how to put on Jesus!
The armor is a metaphor for Jesus.
I. Wearing the belt of truth means being wary of the Devil
Not weary or worry but wary. We are to be cautions where it concerns the devil. Pardon the pun he is a tricky devil! Remember according to Paul, 2 Corinthians 11:14. He doesn’t come to us as something that would scare or disgust us. He comes to us as He did to Adam and Eve he offers something beautiful, tempting and attractive.
Again we must remember we do not fight against flesh and blood? What did we learn from this last week class? People are not the problem!! We fight against the lies and schemes and strategies of the Devil.
A) The enemy attacks God’s character
B) The enemy attacks God’s word
Never forget the devil will draw you in with false beauty and fake promises. He will seek to confuse your mind and consume your emotions. You must be careful dealing with the father of lies. He never keeps his promises and He will always lead you to forfeit the faithful promises of God.
The devils tactics attack the most important part of God’s character and our armor. The truth. Do you remember one of the names of the enemy from last week?
John 8:44 Devil father of lies. Be careful the father of lies doesn’t use you for his dirty work!
If you take up the tools of a plumber and work on plumbing you do the work of a plumber.
If you take up the tools of a carpenter and work on wood and carpentry you do the work of a carpenter.
If you take up the tools of an accountant and work with numbers, taxes etc you do the work of an accountant.
If you take up the tools of the devil and work with lies deception and destruction you do the work of the devil.
II. Wearing the belt of truth means walking with Jesus
Jesus said no one comes to the father but by me. Exactly what does that mean? It means
you must come to terms with who God really is and who you really are.
It is clear in the Bible what God says about us.
A) Start your walk with Jesus by agreeing who He is
1) It is what God has said – He has shared who He is through His living and written word
2) It is what God has done – He has shared who He is through His love and compassion and action for man.
B) Start your walk with Jesus by agreeing who you are
Jeremiah 17:89 “The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?” Even with the truth and the light of the gospel that reveals the love and grace of God we still lie to ourselves about who we are.
C) Sustain your walk with Jesus by growing in His word
John 17:17 This is a call to surrender time for studying, meditating and memorizing God’s word. It is God’s word that makes us realize we need a savior. It is God’s word that has the promises we can lean on when we face struggles, trials, pain and loss.
Christianity today, Gleanings, September 7, 2012 at 10:50AM reported on a Lifeway poll. LifeWay Research surveyed more than 2,900 Protestant churchgoers and found that while 90 percent "desire to please and honor Jesus in all I do," only 19 percent personally read the Bible every day.
Jesus said the way we grow and mature as God’s children is by absorbing healthy portions of God’s word the Mana from heaven. But only 19 percent actually are eating the heavenly diet.
Are there things we can do to help us wear the belt of truth?
1) Study God’s Word—let its principles penetrate your thinking. God will challenge and change your thinking with His word. It will prepare you to face the lies of the devil.
2) Memorize God’s Word – As a man thinks so He is. God’s word radically transforms how we view the Him, the world and ourselves.
3) Come and worship in community – Read 2 Peter 1:20
4) Belong to a small group for encouragement and accountability – Hebrews 10:24, 25
It is in knowing the truth that we are set free. If we know God’s voice by knowing God’s word we have no problem knowing when the enemy is trying to lie to us. The truth will set you free but it will hurt you first.
III. Wearing the belt of truth means walking like Jesus
The word used to prepare ourselves with the belt of truth is in the middle voice in the Greek. It means that no one else can force you to put on Jesus. He has provided the armor but you must get dressed!
A) Truth in your thoughts – You must have truth in your thoughts to have truth in any other area of your life. Lies and deception begin in the mind. If you are a person of integrity and truth then words and works that give glory to Jesus will be what come from the abundance of your heart.
B) Truth in your speech –
Jesus challenged us to let our yes be yes and no no.
C) Truth in your action
Warren Wiersbe wisely said, “God’s promises are prods not pillows.” Those that have really experienced the grace of God are changed forever. Zachaeus was a tax collector and a cheat. When he confessed Jesus as His Lord he made a public announcement of how he had wronged others and how he was going to make it right. Zacheus was willing to walk like Jesus no matter what it cost him.
Conclusion: Are you willing to follow Jesus no matter what it cost?
