An important leader of the Allied march across France and into Germany was General George S. Patton — nicknamed “Old Blood And Guts.” Patton had many “colorful” expressions — one of them (slightly edited!) being: “You don’t win wars by dying for your country. You win by making the other guy die for his country!”
The apostle James says, “…Resist [stand firm against; withstand] the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) You see, we’re not to fear the devil nor are we to go looking for him (he knows where we live!). James simply says we’re to “resist” him; we’re to stand firm when he comes around. He is a creation of God, subject to us through Jesus Christ. The question is “How do we take a stand against this formidable foe?” In Ephesians 6:10-18, the Apostle Paul tells us how! Paul says we are strong in Jesus as we don the full spiritual armor of God. Paul then presents this armor, piece by piece, in verses 14-18.
PAUL’S CONCLUSION: Verse 13 is Paul’s conclusion (based on what he’s written in verses 10-12): “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes (the day of severe trial; those critical moments in our lives when temptation, trial, or trouble presses in), you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
PAUL’S COURSE OF ACTION: Beginning with verse 14 Paul lays out a course of action for us, beginning with the belt of truth: “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…”
“Stand firm”: This means we are to stand still; stand our ground. We’re not to back away nor turn our backs on the forces of evil. The application is simply this: We’re to seek the kingdom of God.
When Satan shows up we deal with him — then move on.
“Belt of truth”: Here Paul begins to delineate the armor of God, piece by piece, using the analogy of a Roman soldier’s armor — an illustration of the spiritual armor God has for us to use against Satan.
The first piece on Paul’s list is the “belt.” It was 6-8 inches wide and went completely around the waist. It was one of the most important pieces of equipment because other parts of the armor were attached to it!
What is the “belt of truth”? Paul doesn’t come right out and tell us. There are various possibilities, a likely one being the Word of God (as presented in both the Old and New Testament Scriptures). I encourage you to take a few moments to look up the following verses of Scripture to see how critically important the Word of God is, how foundational it is for every Christian:
• Psalm 119: 30, 43, 89, 105, 138, 16
• Matthew 24:35
• John 17:17
• Colossians 1:5
• II Timothy 3:16-17
The Bible alone shows us the way to God and the walk with God. It is therefore easy to see why God’s Word is the foundational piece in our suit of armor — why Paul would liken it to the belt of a Roman soldier’s armor. I, therefore, believe the “belt of truth” is God’s Word, the Bible — or more precisely:
“A growing knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures and how they apply to life.”
Without the Bible as our foundation — and without maturing in our understanding and application of it — we are defenseless against our spiritual enemies. Other books were given to us for information; the Bible was given for our transformation!
Satan works overtime at keeping us out of the Book; he works diligently at lulling many a believer into a moderate — or even non-existent study and application of the Word. He does this
• Because he knows the Bible helps us detect his presence.
• Because the Scriptures give us a second sense, an ability to discern, a faculty of seeing which enables us to recognize that what’s happening is part of his plan to trip us up and thereby hinder God’s work both in and through us.
Keeping us out of the Book is a top priority for him because Jesus said “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). For us, that truth is found in God’s Word.
Someone has said that if all the neglected Bibles in this country were dusted off at the same time we’d suffer the worst dust storm in history! To this, I would add the “consoling” words of Charles Haddon Spurgeon: “There is dust enough on some of your Bibles to write ‘damnation’ with your fingers.”
We’d be wise to heed God’s advice to Joshua:
“Do not let this book of the Law [God’s Word] depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8
Is your belt on this day?
