The Belt of Truth

THE BELT OF TRUTH





NUMBER 2 IN SERIES ON ARMOUR



Ephesians 6:10 - 20




INTRODUCTION: In Romans 13:12 Paul tells us to put on the armour of light. In Ephesians 6, he lists the panoply, or whole, or complete armour for us. He begins with the Belt of Truth. "Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with the truth. Dr. James Moffit in his translation states it quite accurately, "tighten the belt of truth about your loins."

This, then, is the first activity that the Christian must undertake if he is to fulfill, God’s command, which is to stand his ground courageously and confidently.

But just what is the belt of truth, and what does Paul mean that we are to have our loins gird about with it?

Let us see:


I THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE BELT

It is clear that Paul is employing a symbolic or figurative language.

Paul traces an analogy between the Roman Armour and what the Christian
needs in waging his battle against the hosts of darkness

The Christian, Paul asserts has a Belt of Truth, and to be ready for the fight, he
must tighten it around the loins of his mind.

In Greek, as in English the word truth has several meanings.

The word used in Ephesians may be understood in two ways:
1. The word or passage has the truth of God for its content
2. The word or passage has truth for its characteristic
In other words, we are either dealing with the inspired truth of God, or with the fact that because the truth of God lives in the believer; therefore, that which we say or do has absolute truth as its characteristic.

Paul is calling on the Christian to live, act, and fight in complete conformity to all
that God’s Word requires of him. He is instructing us to be consistent with our
claim to have received the Word of God. SHOW ME THE CHRISTIAN
SOLDIER IS WHO DAILY SEEKING TO BRING HIS WHOLE LIFE UNDER
THE AUTHORITY OF GOD’S TRUTH, AND I WILL SHOW YOU A MAN WHO
HAS ON THE BELT OF TRUTH. IT IS BECAUSE AN MAN HAS THE
MESSAGE OF GOD’S TRUTH IN HIS HEART THAT HE CAN BEGIN TO LIVE
A LIFE OF THE TRUTH OF GOD!


II THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BELT

Writing concerning the importance of the Roman soldier’s belt, captain P.N.
Corry states:

This ... part of the Roman arms was absolutely vital to the Roman soldier
because on it almost every other part of his armour depended for its
security and usefulness. The leather casing for his loins was kept firm by it, and from it hung his sword, his dagger, and all other hand weapons.

Dr. J.H. Jowett adds:

Loose armour was troublesome and disturbing, making the soldier feel
soft, and awkward, and unready, giving him a sense of going to pieces.
The belt bound everything together giving the soldier a sense of
firmness, making him feel secure, and able to meet the enemy’s attack
with confidence.

A. It will bring stability to our temperament

B. It will control our thoughts

C. It will control our speech


III THE ILLUSTRATION OF THE BELT


A. Examples of those who wore the belt of truth

1. Joseph in Potifer’s house
2. Daniel in Nebuchanezer’s palace

B. Example of those who allowed the belt of truth to be loosened or removed

1. Jacob in tricking Esau
2. Samson in cohorting with Delilah
3. David with Bathsheba


CONCLUSION: To wear the belt of truth is to walk straightforwardly