Last time, we discussed what it really means to be grounded and settled. Today, we’ll look focus on how we can actually do it. I pray you’re encouraged.
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6: 14-18
The devil is a schemer and one of his biggest schemes is to distort the truth. Jesus shed more light on this when he said:
“He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44b
Paul in the book of Ephesians highlights that you can however take your stand against his schemes with the whole armour of God, not a few bits. He writes:
Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13
There is an evil day! I slightly touched on this previously; you’re going to have times of combat, windy seasons and moments of pressure that’ll test your firmness. However, to withstand these, you need a protective covering, something that will safeguard you as well as ward off the strategies of the enemy to take you out – the whole armour of God. Let’s look at the first armour.
Belt of Truth: Long before belts were being used as accessories, they functioned to keep clothes in place. The belt of truth or girdle as referred to in other texts is designed to keep every part of the armour in its place, and to gird the soldier on every side. This is where everything hinges on hence the reason it is buckled securely around the waist.
Truth is information and a commodity highly sought for. The accumulation and assimilation of information is knowledge.
Jesus is referred to as “the truth.”
“I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is truth. Psalms 119:142
Both are intertwined. We can only claim that we know Jesus when we abide by the truth – his commandments. He alone is the truth in life and his law is equally the truth.
And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and The Truth is not in him. 1 John 2:3, 4
Before going to a warfront, Soldiers are often briefed with information and given instructions based on that. The briefing may include information on who their enemies are, where they are, their attack mechanisms, strategies, strengths and weaknesses.
Knowledge of the Truth will prevent one from being ignorant and negligent and shield them from being exposed to any kind of assault which could result in them being ‘knocked out’. With this knowledge, they are able to wage war more effectively. The Bible contains a lot of information about Jesus, The Truth and Satan, the schemer. Spend time in God’s Word and learn the truth!
Related Journals:
Stand Firm – Part 1
Gear Up!