The Doorpost: Put on the belt of truth
By Ray King · May 01, 2013
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth…
Ephesians 6:14a
In Ephesians 6, Paul reminds us that our Christian life is a struggle, not a Sunday school picnic. Furthermore, it is not a struggle against flesh and blood but “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (verse 12). These forces are stronger than any of us or even all of us together, but they are not as strong as God. Paul tells us we can stand if we put on the full armor God has provided for us. The first piece of that armor is the belt of truth.
In John 8:44, Jesus tells us the devil “is a liar and the father of lies.” He has no truth in him. Whenever we are battling the devil or the spirits loyal to him, we can be sure that there will be a lie somewhere. Perhaps that is why truth is the first part of our armor.
God provides us with the truth in several ways. The first is our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He is full of grace and truth (John 1:14). When we clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14) we are clothed with truth.
Second, God’s Word is the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). There we can find the truth to answer any of the devil’s lies. When Jesus was tempted by the devil in Matthew 4, He responded to each temptation by depending on the truth of God’s Word.
Third, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth (John 14:16-17). He enables us to understand God’s Word. In fact, He is the One who gave us God’s Word (2 Peter 1:20-21). His work in our lives will always agree with the truth of God’s Word.
Finally, the church is the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Timothy 3:14-15). In the church we find encouragement to keep us from being deceived (Hebrews 3:13). We pray for each other. There is accountability and discipline to help keep us in the truth.
When we clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, believing the Word of God, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and meeting together in a church that is practicing the truth, we have the first essential piece of armor that enables us to stand firm in the battle.