Imagine you are a soldier, rushing out to meet opposing forces in combat. You have a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. The enemy pauses to aim his flaming dart, but you fearlessly race forward. Your fellow soldiers proudly watch as you take the lead, and eagerly anticipate that you will successfully land the first blow. With the eyes of friend and foe fastened on you, you raise your sword, and suddenly … your tunic, hanging loose underneath your body armor, drags at your feet, and you trip, falling flat on your face. You are defenseless and the enemy strikes. Others step in to support you as you limp away from the battle, confused as to what went wrong. You really should have had that belt fastened more tightly around your waist.
Last month on this page, we considered the importance which God attaches to truth. Are you well attached to the truth? Or think about it this way – is the truth well attached to you? Ephesians 6:10-18 teaches us about the armor of God, so critical to withstanding the attacks of the devil. Did you notice what comes first in the description of the armor? “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth” (Eph 6:14, ESV). If you get a hold of God’s truth, it will hold you.
Some think that the word “truth” in this verse refers to the believer’s truthfulness, honesty, and integrity. More likely, it is objective truth, the truth of God’s Word. God’s truth definitely helps to preserve us from crumbling under the devil’s attacks. Appreciation of God’s teaching concerning vengeance prevents us from taking things into our own hands. Understanding of God’s program for the future, including a coming kingdom, helps us to persevere through difficult times. In Ephesians 4:17-24, it is how we have “learned Christ” and the “truth that is in Jesus” that enables us to live differently from the world around us. They “have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity” (Eph 4:19, ESV); but the believer is marked by the “righteousness and holiness of truth” (Eph 4:24, RV). Truth is very practical, and if you don’t have that belt of truth fastened tightly, if you let things hang a little too loosely, you can be easily tripped up.
Christian life is often a battle, but do you remember how you first got involved in this spiritual warfare? It was “when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph 1:13, ESV). The message of the gospel is clear, authoritative, and unchanging. It is God’s truth. You understood it, you grasped it, and you were saved. The truth of the gospel hasn’t changed, nor has your standing in Christ. The truth has kept you. That’s what truth does. The enemy seeks to deny truth, muddle truth, and weaken your conviction of truth. So make sure the belt of truth is fastened tightly around you. Listen to it. Learn it. Study it. Get a hold of the truth, and it will hold you.
