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Friday, May 15, 2009

The Belt of Truth

With the belt of truth buckled around your waist-Ephesians 6:14

This is my attempt to start a little mini-series on "putting on the full armor of God".
This would be a picture of the belt of truth (Greek or Latin Term- cinulum militaire-a leather belt). I am such a visual learner and it is hard to picture the whole armor without a little research.

The belt of truth was a name Paul used to relate to the people of Ephesus and everyone else that would read that epistle today about one of the tools of the armor that we need to "put on" in taking our stand against the wiles of the evil one. I love the King James rendering of this passage: Ephesians 6.

"The "belt of truth" was named after the leather belt with an apron that hung in front of the Roman soldier's groin and lower abdomen. Small brass plates were attached to the apron to provide the greatest possible protection."

Hello people the belt of truth was to protect the genital region (I guess our modern day comparison would be a jockstrap cup that most athletes wear...sorry for the analogy). It seems so taboo to talk about but how many times have we heard growing up about how bad it hurts to have any kind of injury in the groin area. I hate to be graphic but it's just the truth.

"When preparing for battle, the belt would have been the first piece of protective equipment put on by a soldier. It clung closely to the soldier and shielded some of the most vulnerable areas of the body."

We are so vulnerable when we do not know the truth. We are given an example by the psalmist that we are to hide His word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him. The truth is very liberating when we seek to know it and obey it. James 4:17 says this "17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."

2 Corinthians 3:17
17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

So in relation to a Roman soldier He was free to go into battle with his loins girded and protected. Our hearts and minds desperately need the protection that comes from the renewal of the mind. The word is transforming and when applied combats the lies and the deception of our own sinful nature. We are so blessed to have a copy of the blessed written word of God. he is the Word so the Word is how we know Him, how we know truth. I can not tell you the amount of times that I have felt a certain way but I had to acknowledge that my "feelings" were a lie because they contradicted what God's word said. In a generation where a lot of Christians have thrown out the whole concept of discipline we desperately need to discipline ourselves to spend time in the word of God. That is not legalism it is relationship. Rod and I were going to the lake the other day and he was listening to a radio program on his iphone, Morgan was watching a movie, and I had on Israel Houghton's new CD "One". *Side note* You need to get that c.d. it is amazing! I was like man this is sad, all of the distractions. We are so distracted in this generation that it is so easy to make little time for the Lord and a lot of time for lesser things. I think distraction is a huge part of the breakdown in marriage and family. People are too busy to talk or even eat as a family. We are so wrapped up in our own little world. The word is liberating but it also means change and absolute truth, which sometimes is a hard pill for us to swallow.

"The belt prepares one to be ready for action. Belts were used to tie up the garments so they would not get in the way while fighting. The call to have "your loins girt about with truth" is a call to be prepared. Christians always need to be ready to defend themselves against the powers of darkness and not be caught unaware.

You can be prepared in every circumstance, by making certain that you are a person of truth. This includes--

  • Knowing the good news about Jesus and explaining why you believe in Him.
  • Living as a person of integrity--as someone who is honest and trustworthy.
Live such good lives...that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God... 1 Peter 2:12"

Whew, I have a long way to go. I can't tell you how many times I realize how I can truly do nothing without Christ. I am so impoverished apart from Him and His mercies.

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." 1 Peter 3:15, 16

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

The soldiers were able to go into battle with their garments tied up so they would not trip up and be ensnared by the enemy. Our battle is not against flesh and blood but we have a real enemy who wants to trip us up and ensnare us in all manner of sin. By allowing Gods truth to permeate into our inner man we too will be prepared and avoid the pitfalls of the enemy.

This is one of my favorite verses:
Psalm 119:32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have set my heart free.

Dear Lord, please let us run in the path of your word. We can only do that by the power of the Holy Spirit. Give us wholly devoted hearts to You. You are so worthy Lord. Thank you that we can have hearts that are free when we delight ourselve in Your liberating truth. Jesus we want to stand on the firm solid rock found in You. In Jesus' Name.









*Quotations taken from Rose Publishing. 2008 RW research inc. Author, Timothy Paul Jones, Ed.D








10 comments:

Still Learning said...

Awesome!! I never knew that part about the belt. I love to learn new things. You have much wisdom for one so young. It will serve you well. I really enjoyed reading your post, thanks.

Jennifer

michellemabell said...

What a wonderful read...I love God's truth! Praise God for His written Word, so we can know the truth...especially in a world that is so murky and muddled when it comes to truth.
I love in John 18:17, when Jesus is praying and says: Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth!
Amen.
Thank you Jenny. Have a great day!
Michelle

ocean mommy said...

Awesome my friend. :)

Praying that you and Rod are having a wonderful time!!!

Hugs
steph.

Stephanie said...

Thanks for this Jenny! I could relate to you talking about riding in the car all "plugged in" LOL. We recently went on a trip and I was driving with my ipod (at least it was SEEDS music..NIV verses set to music), my hubby on his laptop in the passenger seat, son on his ds and daughter watching a movie! Can't wait to read the next post.

Anonymous said...

You blow my mind how you translate the Word of God - I LOVE IT. You bless my heart. Keep up the wonderful post.
Nancy in North Carolina

sara@augustfields said...

whew jenny!! just found your blog...LOVE.IT. was so great meeting you....the TRUTH certainly certainly certainly DOES set you free!

Sista Staci said...

Truth is the belt that holds it all together. Our life must be walked out through Truth! It is the Truth that set us free!!

Keep that belt tighten in the Truth!!

I love you, Jenny - you give HOPE!!

Blessings,
Staci P :)

Little Steps Of Faith said...

I love this! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW GIRL! So timely for me. I was actually just going to blog about that verse too! I love HIM so!

Disco Christa said...

I loved this. It was so interesting; I never really thought about the belt.

My favorite thing that you wrote was "He is the Word so the Word is how we know Him, how we know truth."

Anonymous said...

I loved your article on the Armor of God! I have written a book on the Armor...so, this was very interesting to me. God bless you! If you would like to read the excerpt, you can go to: www.carolynw.com Leave me a comment so I know you visited!