Ephesians 6: 13-14 AMP

13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis

], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 14 So stand firm and hold your ground, having [b] tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist.

The enemy of our souls is always on the lookout for an opportunity to strike us because he aims to kill, steal and destroy. We need to be constantly aware of the spiritual warfare that is taking place, and we can’t afford to be passive participants, we must engage fully. God has given us spiritual armor that we must put on to protect us from the attacks of the enemy.

The first item the scriptures mentions is a belt! You would think a sword or spear or shield or bow and arrow would take priority on this list. Instead, we have a belt.

To fully understand 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 a robe that was slightly above the knee. This allowed for free and quick movement on the battlefield. The belt was important because it held the robe in place. It was also this belt that the breastplate was fastened to. Apart from that, it was also this same belt that the sheath that held the sword that was attached to. Very important! Now the belt looks significant.

Without it, the breastplate falls off, the sword has nowhere to be attached to 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 enemy is the father of all lies and deception is his greatest weapon. How then can we stand against him if we are walking in deception?

The greatest piece of God’s armor that we must have in place first is to walk in the truth, to walk in Christ because he is the truth. Without truth, everything else falls apart. Walking in the truth guarantees us freedom.

Reflections.

• What is your favorite action movie? Why?
• In a generation where people are coming up with what they call “my truth” what is truth to you?
• The truth is what holds everything together. What does this mean to you?