Prepare for Spiritual Battle with the Belt of Truth
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Right now, as you read this article, Satan and his demons are at work because they know that their time is getting shorter. Jesus is coming back, and they can only wreak havoc for so long. We know that they have a hold on unbelievers, but the truth is that even though they cannot overcome someone with the Holy Spirit, they can attack us.
As we go through this study, remember that we have victory in Jesus and fear of the enemy is not from Him. We have peace in Christ. However, spiritual awareness is key to being an active member of the body of Christ. One of the most common ways the enemy will try to sway us is through whispering lies.
Today, as we begin our seven-week study on the Armor of God, we will begin by focusing on the belt of truth.
“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” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Our focus verse this week will be Ephesians 6:14a: “Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist.”
Why Is the Belt of Truth Mentioned First?
When we think about the purpose of a belt, it is the central piece of armor that holds together the clothing. It is wrapped around the person’s core.
After I had my first son via an unexpected C-section, I was challenged with the fact that I had always had a pretty strong and engaged core. However, my skin, muscles, and nerves had undergone major surgery to get him here. I was unable to accomplish basic tasks without numbness and sometimes pain. I remember going to my six-week appointment, speaking with my doctor and expressing my concern about the numbness of not being able to feel my lower core. She responded that I may have nerve damage and might never feel my core again the same way. Well, our God heals in ways that only He can, and even though it has taken time to regain strength, I have feeling in my lower core again.
Think about all of the ways that you use your core: standing, sitting, climbing, walking, reaching, twisting, bending, and so much more. You do not realize the significance of your core until you lose it. The core is truly the central place of function for holding up the body.
Observe the first word in verse 14, Stand. We cannot stand up if we do not have a strong core. God intentionally talks about the belt of truth first as the armor of God because without His foundation of the truth of the gospel and the Bible, we cannot withstand the attacks of the enemy. Truth is to be girded around the central point of who we are in Christ. If the Devil can get a believer in Jesus to waiver or ignore the truth of God’s Word, the battle is over, the enemy is winning. However, is a believer can stand on the Word of God and allow the truth of the gospel to be central in all things, they gain the ability to fight the spiritual battle and gain victory through Jesus.
Jesus Models the Belt of Truth
One of the most memorable times in Scripture when Jesus used the belt of truth was during his battle with Satan in the wilderness. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness to be tempted (Matthew 4:1-11). The Devil’s method of attack then was common to the beginning of time, twisting the truth.
First, he tempted Jesus with food to make the stones become bread, but Jesus responded with Deuteronomy 8:3 in return (Matthew 4:3-4).
Second, he tempted Jesus with escape and misused Psalm 91:11-12. Jesus responded with, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 6:16). Satan took one verse to apply it to the sin he wanted Jesus to commit, but Jesus knew that Scripture is to be viewed in its entirety and sin was not an option for Him. He remained perfect.
Third, Satan tempted Jesus with power if he would fall down and worship him. Jesus rebuked Satan and told him to go away and quoted Deuteronomy 6:13.
It says that after this encounter the devil left and angels ministered to Jesus (Matthew 4:11).
The enemy is sneaky, he even tries to use the truth to get us to sin. He misuses the Word of God to cause us to fall. We think back to Genesis 3 and the devil was able to push humanity to sin by causing them to question the truth spoken from their Creator God. Even though Adam, Eve, and all of us fail and sin, Jesus modeled perfect belt of truth living. He stood firm when He was tempted to waiver.
The Purpose of the Belt
Josie Siler from Christianity shares, “The belt directly connects to two other pieces of the armor of God… the belt sometimes helped bear the weight of the armor that covered the soldier’s torso, the breastplate. The belt also helped secure the sword.”
When we ponder this, we see how the belt of truth helps us to guard our hearts and helps us to fight back against attacks of the enemy. This belt equips us for battle. It grounds us and prepares us for what lies ahead. There is freedom in Jesus.
“Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘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).
It is interesting that Jesus taught His people to continue in His Word. He shares that the truth is within His Word and that is where true freedom resides.
Am I a Spiritual Warrior with the Belt of Truth?
At the end of each week in the Armor of God, I will include some reflection questions for you to personally think about.
Is there a lie that I am believing that is preventing me from being grounded on the truth of the Bible?
Have I been spending time reading God’s Word with Him to be able to stand each day? If not, how can I prioritize seeking the Savior each day?
In what ways is Satan attacking the church as a whole to not be able to stand in Spiritual battle? How can I pray for the body of Christ to stand firm and put on the belt of truth?
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Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Andrey Zhuravlev
