We live in a world that claims truth is relative. If you believe something, then it is truth for you. I believe that statement is 100% true! What a person believes is truth to him or her. That is why the Bible tells us to be careful what we believe. Just because a statement, thought, or action may be truth in your mind, it does not mean it is actually true. The principles in God’s Word are true. Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God is true. The truths in God’s Word are what holds everything else together. Therefore, this is why every soldier in God’s army needs a secure belt.

The Belt of Truth

The Belt of Truth is the first piece of armor that the warrior in Ephesians Chapter 6 is instructed to put on.

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 (NASV)

The armor of God is given to us so that we can stand or fight against the schemes of the devil.

The Devil’s Scheme

The devil’s scheme is to get us to believe his lies. Since he is the father of lies and all he does is lie, this is his greatest weapon. If the devil can get us to believe that the truths in God’s Word are relative to our own interpretation and not always true for everyone, then we are an easy opponent to bring down. This is how he trapped Adam and Eve and it is still his number one go to plan.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8 (ESV)

Paul goes on to tell us in Ephesians that our battle is not with people but instead with spiritual forces in the world that oppose God. He is very clear that there will be battles to fight and we need to be prepared so that we do not fall as victims. Jesus already won our victory. The Bible tells us that we can be more than conquerors as long as we stand firm in Christ Jesus. Most of the lies that we fall prey to start with words like you can’t, it’s not, or God doesn’t or won’t. These are all words that feed doubt and fear; that is how lies start.

Putting on the Armor of God is what enables us to stand firm in the midst of battle.

The Significance of the Belt

Why is the belt first? What does the belt do?

Belts are used to secure the clothing under them. They hold up your pants, cinch in a jacket, or can also be used to support other tools such as phone holder, name badge, flashlight, etc. Anything can be attached to a belt. Construction men use tool belts and those who climb rocks or repel cliffs might use a safety belt. There are belts used in martial arts that show identity and rank; and belts have also been used to discipline.

So our list of what a belt does might look like this:

• Supports
• Protects
• Identifies
• Rescues
• Disciplines

What does the Bible say about truth?

Now let’s look at truth. We have already said to some truth is relative and sometimes self-defined. The Bible, however, has some very specific things to say about truth. .

• God’s Word is truth.(John 17:17)
• The Truth of God’s Word sanctifies and transforms us. (John 17:17)
• The truth will set you free, if you know it. (John 8:32)
• Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6)

When you stand in the truth of God’s Word and refuse to believe anything about yourself, God, or others that is contrary to God’s Word then you are posed in the perfect position to have victory over any situation that comes your way. Battles are lost or won in the mind. You must believe the truth that in Christ you will always be victorious before the battle ever starts. If you believe the lie that you cannot win, then you won’t.

Putting on the Belt of Truth

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth. Ephesians 6:14a (NASV)

Having girded your loins…now that is an interesting phrase you don’t hear every day. It basically means “tighten up your belt and git ready”. I think if the bible had been translated into southern vernacular, it would have used the word git. Just like gird, git has a little grit to it. Git r done or git ready, there’s a storm a com’in. The phrase gird your loins was used in the Bible when someone was being told to get ready for a possible dangerous situation or journey ahead.

The Belt of Truth has multiple layers of meaning. The Roman soldiers would use their belts to keep there garments in place so that they would not trip in the midst of battle. The garments we are holding into place are the new clothes that we received when we made Christ the Lord of our lives. These are the ones we traded our filthy rags for and the ones that are white and washed in the blood of Jesus. These are the clothes that identify us as children of God.

The Power in the Belt of Truth

This Belt of Truth holds our new clothes in place. It says that we believe our new identity is absolutely true. By cinching in that belt and feeling it tight around our waist, we feel confident, supported, and protected. We know our identity is secure and that Jesus, our Anchor, has a hold of the other side in case we should lose our footing. There are even times that we may be gently disciplined by the truth when we are tempted to go the wrong way.

Jesus is the Truth! So imagine if you will, His arms wrapped around your waist as He goes with you into battle.

The second meaning I think aside from being tied around you waist is that we need to protect our minds with truth. After all, it is in your mind where you determine what truth you will believe. This is why I love this next verse.

Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.1 Peter 1:13 (NKJV)

It is imperative that our first step in preparing for whatever may come our way is to know what we believe and why. The best way to do this is to memorize God’s Word. Git it in yer head! Don’t allow yourself to be fooled by whatever new thought comes along or by the fiery darts that the enemy will throw at you.

Bringing it Home

As you learn these lesson, teach them to your children. Memorize scripture together. Don’t wait until you have it all figured out because you never will. Or by the time you have a good handle on things, you kids will be grown. Trust me! Being open and honest with your kids about what you are learning from the Lord is the quickest way to see Him do amazing things in their lives.

Look for my Tent Time Devotions coming soon on the Armor of God. Practice physically putting it on together. Say each verse out loud and mimic the action of putting on the article. You can download my version of this prayer in the link below. All you have to do is sign up to get weekly email updates, if you are not already signed up.

Git ready for God to do something BIG!!

Madaline