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