The Belt of Truth...

(Ephesians 6:14) “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth…”

When I used to ride my motorbike it was judicious to consider not only some of the protective clothing, but all. So too would it be prudent for us to give thought to the entire arsenal of God’s armour. Obviously wearing some protection is better than nothing, but who in their right mind would dress sluggishly when going into an area full of hazards. I am yet to witness a “motor-crosser” riding with boots, shoulder pads, elbow and knee guards but then deciding not to wear his helmet. All it takes for a serious injury is just one exposed body part. My helmet has most certainly saved my life. Protective clothing has been carefully thought out and does exactly what it should do, and that is to protect! With that in mind and with the minds of men behind its design imagine how well thought out Gods armour is, not designed by men but God through the Apostle Paul designed it for men and women. Let us therefore not take this portion of scripture lightly…

Let us diligently dress for battle; our instruction is to take up the “whole armour of God”, and once dressed, our instruction is not to aggressively run into battle, but rather to stand. Nothing else is needed; think on this if our armour is in place there is no weapon that could possibly penetrate our defense, our Saviour the Lord Jesus has tested the very armour we are now instructed to wear.  However, if slipshod when dressing, we will be an easy target and never be able to stand as the blows strike us on our unprotected areas. A verse that springs to mind, probably because it has been so real in my life is the following; “for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.” (Proverbs 24:16) – There is two sides to this verse and both ring true; a righteous man falls and rises again, why? Because of the Lord Jesus’ work on Calvary, he is covered by the blood of the Lamb. The wicked stumble when the pressure is on and embrace an attitude of worldly sorrow, why me! But to be fair and honest even the Christian falls, no in fact he falls every time if not dressed for battle. The only difference is that the grace of God allows him to stand up again. Are you not tired of the yo-yo experience? I know I am! Let us then learn to dress for battle!

I suppose we will need to see the advantages of each piece of God’s armour before we rush off to dress. When the knights were protecting their king and country they would dress with metal armour; “cumbersome” is a word that under describes what a hindrance it was for them to not only dress for battle and accompanied many difficulties, it was time consuming, but to then have to fight like that was tough. Nimbleness was not a word we could use to describe their agility in battle and yet they all dressed for battle. Why? It was that heavy cumbersome armour that would save some of their lives. “Armour up or die” may well of been the slogan.

God uses an example about the advantage of well thought out armour when addressing his faithful servant Job about one of His creations, Leviathan a dragon type beast; this is the question He poses to Job; “Can you fill his skin with harpoons or his head with fishing spears?” (Job 41:7) – Who in their right mind will take a knife to a gun battle? Who in the right mind will look to take on demonic forces while being naked and exposed and yet we do it all the time. REMEMBER TO DRESS FOR BATTLE!

The Lord Jesus as a man has tested each piece of God’s armour and He has conquered. His instruction is for us is to follow His example, for when we chart it to the letter; we will also savour the sweet taste of victory.

Here then is the armour we have been called to use; “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.” (Ephesians 6:14-19)

We must firstly learn to stand on the truth (belt of truth); what help will a liar aid in us winning the battle? It won’t! Therefore as we stand, the first item we must attend to is the “belt of truth”, why? It was a lie that caused separation between God and man; the Garden of Eden; “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die.” (Genesis 3:1-4)

Is Adam alive today in the flesh? We must learn and yes with gentleness to never tolerate any lie that takes our eyes off our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Deception will always lead us down a rocky road. It is the “belt of truth” that keeps us looking for the truth. Tolerance to a lie is simple foolishness and nothing more. Here then is an example of truth; “Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”” There is no other way to get to heaven but in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Neither Buddha, Mohammed nor any other idle will get you to the Father and heaven. Why? It was only the Lord Jesus, who is God and yet He lived as a man without sin, conquering sin once and for all so that all those who truly repent for their own sin may now have access to the Father and the hope of heaven now becomes a reality. Anything outside of this truth is a lie and has nothing to do with the “belt of truth”! Now when I am found wanting with my Christian walk, which certainly happens for time to time, I may well be accused by some as a hypocrite, and there may well be justification by the accusation, but one thing I cannot be accused of when dressed with the “belt of truth” is that I am a liar. Jesus is the only way, the only truth pertaining to us as mankind finding a way into heaven and into the “afterlife”. Every other idea or notion that excludes sinners needing to repent in and through Him is a lie and will send you straight to hell.

As we stand let us remember the first item for dress is the “BELT OF TRUTH”. Do you see the importance of the item of clothing as it leaves no wiggle room; a decision is forced from the reader/listener.

Signing off

Tyrone