Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should. Ephesians 6:10-20
Related: The Armor Of God: How To Pray Scripture Over Children
What Is The Purpose Of A Soldier’s Belt?
Wear truth around your waist like a soldier wears his belt. To modern ears and those outside of the military, we can miss the importance of a belt. When I think of the uses of a belt, it is either for fashion or to hold up your pants. This isn’t a very profound idea. Especially, when you are trying to understand the full scope of what Paul is writing in his letter to Ephesus. Paul writes, “Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist” (Ephesians 6:14). This truth is God’s word, and Jesus is the Word (John 1:1). So, why did Paul decide to reference wearing the belt of truth around your waist like a soldier?
A soldier’s belt is not only functional for holding up pants, but it is also a part of his equipment. The usage of a soldier’s belt is quite versatile. The belt holds other gear, supports the waist, and can also be used in emergency first aid.
In ancient Rome, a soldier’s rank was displayed on his belt. This is similar to how soldiers today have their rank and medals displayed on their shoulders, chest, and collars. A Roman soldier’s belt symbolized his legionary, and if it was taken off, it meant he had been suspended. Wearing this military belt was a badge of honor, and everyone who saw it knew where his allegiance lay.
As Christians, we are to wear truth as a badge of honor. It takes strength, diligence, and resolve to hold ourselves to the standard of truth. Telling the truth isn’t always comfortable, nor is it always popular. But our allegiance lies with Christ, and he calls us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
How The Belt Supports The Soldier
Each soldier has a lot of equipment that he must carry. A belt comes in handy by allowing the soldier to keep all his necessities close at hand. Loading the waist with equipment helps alleviate the back and shoulders from needing to bear the weight. A belt also allows the soldier to distribute the weight evenly.
Jesus tells us that if we come to him, he will give us rest. If we take the yoke that Jesus offers and we learn from him, we will find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30). When we try to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, we become tired and worn down. But when we turn to Jesus and learn what truth is, our burdens are distributed on the shoulders of Jesus. When Jesus carries our burdens, we only carry what Jesus is asking us to carry, his truth.
A belt make it easier to carry more essentials, and a variety of items: ammunition, first-aid, and supplies like water. Truth is God’s word, and there are words we can speak from the Bible that shield us against the enemy.
The Bible is our ammunition in spiritual warfare. Truth, God’s word, is also healing. When we share the truth with others, it has the power to mend a wounded and lost soul. The truth of God’s Word is nourishment for our souls. In Matthew 4:4, Jesus states, “Man must not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
The belt was also a fundamental part of a soldier’s armor, supporting the sword and breastplate. Paul states that the breastplate is righteousness, and the sword is the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:14b and 17b). Truth supports both righteousness and God’s Word.
How A Soldier Can Be Identified By His Belt
The belt can be decorative, along with the belt buckle. It is common to have insignia to identify the soldier’s rank on the belt. In ancient Roman armies, belts were symbolic of military status and served as a badge of honor.
Today, it is very common to display brands, sports teams, businesses, products, political alignments, and other affiliations on the clothing we wear. Some of the things displayed on our clothing are just fashion. However, other times, we hold a deep connection to them. When the cause is something bigger than ourselves, we wear those pieces with a sense of honor and pride.
When our identity is in Christ Jesus, we spend time learning from him. Our heart becomes set on doing what Jesus desires, and our soul is at rest. We are to wear truth as a badge of honor, and to display where our allegiance lies.
How the Belt Is A Survival Tool
Belts can be used in survival situations to create tourniquets, build shelters, or even as a makeshift fishing line. When Jesus called Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew to follow him, Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mark 1:17).
To fishermen, using the belt of truth to cast a line to the lost is a life-saving measure. Once they have shared the saving truth to a wandering soul, the Spirit of the Lord moves in their heart. If the person accepts the Lord’s truth, their souls will find rest and begin to heal. Jesus’s words are full of mercy and have the power to heal. Finding shelter in truth will protect us from the enemy as we walk through life.
What Does Truth Mean?
Truth is conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be. Conformity of words to thoughts, which is called moral truth. Veracity: purity from falsehood; practice of speaking truth; habitual disposition to speak truth. Sincerity. Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary
Truth is unchanging. But, in today’s culture, it has become common practice to change the truth to fit one’s outlook on life. You may know this by, “my truth”. Our experiences and perspectives don’t change facts or reality. Therefore, truth should be used as a beacon that brings us back to what is sincere, what is, what has been, or what shall be. Truth is reality. By holding to what is true, we show what love is (1 John 3:18).
Letting the truth be known exposes the heart of a person. Jesus tells Nicodemus, “For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so his works may be shown to be accomplished by God” (John 3:20-21). When we make choices to live with veracity, constantly observing what is right, and we live life freely.
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What Does The Bible Say About Truth?
We each have a moral compass that has been placed inside each one of us. We all know right from wrong and what evil is versus what good is. Hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, Ezekiel prophesied that one day, the people of Israel would be given a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26). The prophet Jeremiah also prophesied that the Lord would make a new covenant with his people. The Lord would place his teaching within them and write it on their hearts. No longer will people need to be told to know the Lord, for they will all know who the Lord is (Jeremiah 31:31-36).
Each one of us knows deep down that God exists. Denying this truth is completely our choice, but it doesn’t make the existence of God any less true. The heavens, the vastness of the sky, and the eternity of space declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of the Lord’s hands (Psalms 19:1).
Here’s What Jesus Says About Truth
Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 14:6-7). The closer we get to Jesus, the more we understand him. The farther away we choose to be from Jesus, the less we know of how Jesus designed everything to be. We are designed to place our hope in God, who will richly provide us with all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).
Jesus speaks truth directly to us and doesn’t leave us guessing how to find peace for our souls. Eternity is a long time, and Jesus doesn’t want us to be separated from him. Therefore, he tells us that He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 17:13). Our God is so good to us. He tells us exactly what to do in order to be saved from the second death of our souls. God doesn’t leave us with riddles or lies that all or many roads lead to heaven. We are told the truth that there is only one way to heaven. That one way is through Jesus. He paid our debt of sin with his blood that was shed on the cross.
Turn To The Lord In Truth
King David has been recognized as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22). This is not because David was perfect and without sin. Far from it. King David needed the saving grace of the Lord just as the rest of us do. What made David so special was how his heart was responsive to the Lord.
David sinned many times throughout his life. As you read through the account of his life in the books of 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 & 2 Chronicles, you can see David admitting to sin and seeking forgiveness. The sin King David is most known for is the sin of adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12).
Since the beginning of time, humans have tried to hide from God in their sin and shame. Look at how Adam and Eve hid from God in the Garden of Eden after they committed the first sin (Genesis 3:8). David wasn’t forthcoming with his sin, but when he was convicted, he repented. The response of David’s heart was turning from his sin and coming back to the Lord. David takes complete ownership of his sins and accepts the consequences of his actions with Bathsheba. “Against you – you alone – I have sinned and done this evil in your sight. So you are right when you pass sentence; you are blameless when you judge” (Psalm 51:4).
Seek The Truth
Throughout the Psalms, David continues to seek the Lord’s truth. David asks the Lord to make His ways known to him and guide him in truth (Psalm 25:4-5). A plea of David’s from the Lord, “Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in your judgments. I will always obey your instruction, forever and ever” (Psalm 119:43-44).
David also attributes righteousness and faithfulness in all that the Lord does. He goes on to say, “The Lord is near all who call out to him, all who call out to him with integrity” (Psalm 145:17-18). Over and over again, King David seeks God and his truth.
Hundreds of years later, when Jesus came into the world, he made a profound statement, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him” (John 17:13-19). God’s word is Truth (John 17:17). Jesus is the Word (John 1:1). “Search for the Lord your God, and you will find him when you seek him with all your heart and all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:28). When we seek after Jesus, we will find truth.
Christians, wear the belt of truth with dignity, honor, and confidence. Jesus tells us, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). Every morning, put on the belt of truth and don’t leave home without it. This belt is an essential piece of your armor.
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