Ephesians 6: 13-14
13 Therefore put on the full armor 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. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.
One of the first things I notice when I look at the scriptures that describe the full armor of God is the item listed first. A belt! You would have thought a sword or spear or shield would take priority on this list. Instead, we have a belt.
To fully understand and get the fullness of this, we have to think of a Roman soldier back in the day.
They did not wear trousers like soldiers do today, instead they wore some kind of robe that was slightly above the knee. This allowed for free and quick movement in the battlefield.
The belt was important because it held the robe in place to allow for free and quick movement. It was also this belt that the breastplate was fastened to. Apart from that, it was also the belt that the sheath that held the sword that was attached to. Significant! Now the belt looks crucial. Without it the breastplate falls off, the sword has nowhere to be attached, and the robe cannot be held in place.
No wonder it is first in place.
Jesus said He is the way, the truth and the life! The truth is the foundation that all else in our Christian walk is built on. The truth is what holds everything together. Without the truth, everything else falls apart. The greatest armor that we must have in place first is to walk in the truth, to walk in Christ because he is the truth. Remember, he told us that you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. As long as you are walking in the truth, then the enemy cannot touch you.
I am reminded of how sin entered into the world in the Book of Genesis. This happened because Adam and Eve threw out the belt of truth. The enemy, who is the father of all lies, came in with his twisted lie. Adam and Eve believed it and walked in it, and the rest is history.
Are you walking in truth in all areas of your life? If you are not, then you are loosening your belt, and remember the enemy is searching for an opportunity to strike.
Reflective Thoughts
How important is it for you to walk in the truth in every area of your life?
Realizing that it is the truth that holds everything together, what kind of changes are you going to make in your life?
What is truth to you?
