I'm going to begin my second part of this series with a prayer.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I know many are struggling in their lives today with all different types of sin. I pray that You have already put a desire in the person reading this to no longer allow Satan to have a foothold in their life. We have read Your words and hear Your promise that we can overcome the schemes and powers from the dark who desire us to fail. I pray we begin to use the entire armor of God to defend our thoughts and actions so that we may honor Christ who we love.
Amen. ”
In the last devotional Part #1, I told you I would be discussing ways to overcome the temptations from Satan and his demons. In Ephesians 6:11-18, it talks about us putting on the full armor of God. In verse 13 it says, “...so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground...” So a point is being made here. It is saying that evil is coming your way and you need to be ready. It didn't say this is for non-Christians, but is actually referring to Christians. So what's the first thing you should do or put on?
The scripture is actually referring to it all, but can you put all your clothes on at one time? No, you can't! The first thing you need to put on is the “Belt of Truth” that is buckled around your waist. I normally do not use other people’s words to write my devotional, but I feel the words here by the author of “Bible Guides” can explain it much better than I.
When the apostle Paul describes the armor of God, he is talking about more than a simple set of helpful tips. He is talking about the impregnable defenses of the Almighty God. These are keys to withstanding the attacks and onslaughts of the great dragon of old, Satan the devil. They are ultimate and infinitely powerful tools available to us as Christians.
And he chooses to begin describing that set of armor by talking about...a belt?
Why, of all things, a belt? He could have started with the mighty sword of the Spirit, the towering shield of faith, the shining breastplate of righteousness—anything but some measly old belt. But he didn't. So that begs the question—why?
What was the belt used for in the Roman army?
The belt—known as the cingulum or balteus—played a crucial role in the effectiveness of a soldier's armor. It was the belt that held the scabbard, without which there would be no place to put a sword. Imagine an overzealous soldier, fired up and charging out into battle—but without his belt, and consequently without a weapon!
In addition, the Nelson Study Bible says from the belt "hung strips of leather to protect the lower body." The Matthew Henry Commentary says the belt "girds on [secures] all the other pieces of our armor." Truth should cleave to us as a belt cleaves to our body.
What is truth?
John 17:17
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Belt of Truth
Jesus, praying to the Father, gives a clear and straightforward definition of truth: God's Word. The Holy Bible (Scripture—the word of truth) was given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16). The Greek expression translated "inspiration of God" literally means "God-breathed"! He actively and fully inspired the Bible to reveal His truth to us.
His promises, His commands, His word—they are all truth, plain and simple. After all, "The LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?" (Isaiah 14:27). If God says something, there is no force that can stop Him from doing it—we can rest assured that it will be done.
What does truth have to do with a belt?
1 Thessalonians 5:21
Test all things; hold fast what is good.
As Christians, we are to test all things and then hold on only to that which is good—the truth—discarding all else. We are to be like the Bereans who "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). If we are not convinced that our principles and beliefs are without exception 100 percent true, how can we expect to accomplish anything?
Proverbs 3:3-4
Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.
A belt encompasses the waist. Does our conviction to the truth encompass us? As the above scripture notes, truth must be bound around us and written on our hearts—our conviction must reach beyond an outward show.
The belt used in Roman armor, as we have learned, provided a place for the soldier's sword. Our sword—the sword of the Spirit—likewise needs a sheath. Truth is vital because, like a Roman soldier's belt, it allows us to carry the sword of the Spirit and use it effectively.
I really like how the belt of truth is being explained for its purpose. Its purpose is to help support another defense of God's. You will start to see why God wants us to put on the entire armor of God, not just the belt. In other words, if you just know the truth of God's word but never use it, will you be successful? If you just wear a belt holding a sword and never pull it out to defend yourself, are you going to stand firm?
Lets see what armor God tells us to put on next!
Buckle up,
E.