Ephesians 6:14a - Christian Armor Putting On Truth.
Ephesians 6:14a: Christian Armor " Putting On Truth.
Ephesians 6:14a (KJV) Stand therefore, having your loins girt
about with [truth],
Ephesians 6:14a (NIV) Stand firm then, with the belt of truth
buckled around your waist,
Ephesians 6:14a (TEV) So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight
around your waist,
INTRODUCTION
There exists a world outside of our own - a world we cannot
see, a spirit world where real battles are fought. When you became a
Christian, you took a side against evil in this cosmic struggle - and you
became a part of it.
The battle is not against enemies of flesh and blood.
Instead, we battle the demons over whom Satan has control, the fallen
angels who joined Satan in his rebellion and thus became perverted and
evil. These are real and powerful beings, not mere fantasies, and
believers must not underestimate them. What are their tactics? Demons can
at times cause physical, psychological, and emotional turmoil. More
often they seek ways to keep nonbelievers in unbelief and render
believers ineffective through moral failings.
God does not leave us without protection and weapons,
however. With this host of spiritual forces arrayed against us, we need
God's full armor. Our enemy is powerful, but he is also a defeated
foe. As you prepare to engage him in spiritual warfare, don't be
intimidated by his influence. Use the full armor of God and stand together
with other believers. [The One Year Bible for New Believers re
Eph.6:10-17]
We must depend on God's strength to defend against the attacks
of Satan and his army. God has provided us with his power by
filling us with his Holy Spirit. It is his Spirit that cloaks us with
protection: the belt of truth, the body armor of righteousness, the shoes of
the Good News, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit - God's Word. And as we fight spiritual battles,
we must constantly rely on God's Spirit to guide us. And you don't
have to fight alone. God's army - the church - is filled with God's
Spirit as well, uniting us together against the mighty powers in
this dark world.[One Year NLT SB re Eph. 6:10-17]
The armor is Christ himself. Putting on the armor is equivalent
to putting on Christ. The power of Christ is sufficient to stand
against all evil and temptation that a believer will encounter [New
Bible Companion]
COMMENTARY
What specifically is the belt of truth? What is Gods truth
that the believer is to put on?
First, Christ is the truth. The believer is to put on Christ
(John 1:14; 14:6; Eph. 4:24).
Second, the Word of God is truth. The believer is to put on
the Word of God. He is sanctified by the Word of God (John 17:17;
Eph. 5:26).
Third, speaking and living a life of truthfulness is the
truth (Eph. 4:25; 1Pe. 1:22; Zec. 8:16; Mal. 2:6). [Preachers
Outline & Sermon Bible]
Paul wrote, fasten the belt of truth around your waist. This
belt, also called a girdle, was about six inches wide. Probably made
of leather, it held together the clothing underneath as well as
holding the other pieces of armor in place, such as the breastplate and
the sheath for the sword. It may have contained a "breechclout," an
apron that protected the lower abdomen. It may have also braced the
back in order to give strength. When the belt was fastened, the
soldier was "on duty," ready to fight. A slackened belt meant "off
duty." Christians, however, must face each day with a fastened belt,
ready to fight the battle when needed.
As the belt formed the foundation of the soldier's armor, the
truth is the foundation of the Christian life. This "truth" refers to
the believer's character as a person who can be relied on for the
truth. It certainly also refers to the truth of God's Word and his
message in the gospel. If we could not be absolutely sure of our faith,
if we were not sure that Jesus is "the truth" (John 14:6), then
there would be little use for the armor or in attempting to fight any
battle. God's truth, as revealed to us through Jesus Christ, forms the
foundation of victorious Christian living.
When the enemy, the father of lies (John 8:44), attacks with
his lies, half-truths, and distortions, we believers can stand on
the truth we believe. Jesus prayed for his followers: "Sanctify them
by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17 NKJV). (Life
Application Commentary)
ILLUSTRATION
If you happen to be a little child riding with your daddy on
a galloping horse, there is a way to stay snug and secure behind
him in the saddle. All you have to do is wrap your little fingers
around his belt and press yourself against the back of the saddle, and
off you go - up and down hills, splashing through streams, charging
into the day. In a spiritual sense, it's still the way to go. Today's
Scripture reads, Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around
your waist." In other words, if you're hanging on to God's truth -
the precepts and promises of God's Word - nothing can shake you out
of the saddle. It doesn't matter how winding or treacherous your
trail is, you can move through anything - trials, hardships,
disappointments, even death itself - and remain safe and secure. Just keep your
grip on the truth and never let go.
Father, I'm holding on to Your Word today with all my heart.
You have promised to be with me in every situation. You have
promised to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. You have
promised Your wisdom, Your strength, Your endurance, and Your peace when
I need it most. Make my grip strong today, Father, because the
trail ahead of me may be steep. [A Spectacle of Glory by Joni
Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Once we become Christians, we are involved in a fight against
Satan and his forces. God, however, has given us a defense against
Satan and his tactics, which consists of six separate pieces of
spiritual equipment.
First, He has given us the belt of truth - a willingness to
let Gods truth govern every part of our lives. Second, the
breastplate of righteousness - seeing clearly that we are not saved by our
own righteousness but Christ's. Third, we must have our feet
sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace - our determination to
stand firmly in the faith. Fourth, we must raise the shield of faith -
the quick action by which we act upon God's truth and refuse Satan's
lies. Fifth, we must put on the helmet of salvation - the glorious
hope that, one day, the Lord will right all wrongs and establish His
eternal kingdom. And sixth, we must take up the sword of the Spirit, the
Word of God, and wield the written Scriptures in the same way our
Lord did in His wilderness temptations.
Having done all this, it is still possible to be defeated by
the Devil unless we know how to pray in the power of the Spirit. We
must pray not only when things are going wrong but continuously,
fervently, powerfully, and perseveringly. Our prayers must catch alight and
burst into flame. Against such praying, the principalities and powers
are helpless.
My Father, now that I have seen the resources that are
available to me in Christ, I realize that my responsibility to avail
myself of these resources is greater than ever. Help me to put
everything I have learned into action. For Your own dear names sake.
Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with Selwyn Hughes devotionals re
Psa. 18:16, 17]
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES AND SEMINARS
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded Sermon Series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
