THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10)

Devotion 5 of 15

GIRDED WITH THE TRUTH

The necessity of "the whole armor of God" has been established. First, it is needed to "stand against the wiles of the devil" – the stratagem he craftily employs to move us away from Christ. Second, the armor is required so we can withstand in "the evil day," when we are assailed in unusual and sustained ways. Let it be clear, there will be no victory over the devil's schemes without "the whole armor of God." Neither, indeed, will we be able to withstand special assaults by the wicked one, should we choose to neglect this armor.

While all of this appears quite apparent, it is most unusual to find professed believers that appear to have much interest in this armor. This will be particularly evident as we begin to deal with it piece by piece. Remember, this is unit, or suit, of armor. Men are not at liberty to take some of it, while discarding the rest.

This armor is not intended to do battle with mere men, but to enable us to grapple with the higher order of Satan's kingdom of darkness. There is no doubt but that it will make us more than equal to the challenges of men, but we are not struggling against them–i.e., "flesh and blood." Rather, we are engaged in a fierce battle with the ones who control and animate the ungodly.

This brings us to the consideration of the first unit of "the whole armor of God."

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth" (KJV). "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth." (NKJV). "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist" (NIV). – Ephesians 6:14a

STAND THEREFORE. At once you will observe that the stance of the Gospel warrior is STANDING. We do not fight in a prone position, nor are we crawling about on our bellies in the dirt. The admonition is "Stand therefore," or hold your ground. Believers are to refuse to break rank, being like the mighty men of Zebulun. It is said of them, they were "expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart" (1 Chron 12:33). They are again mentioned in verse 38 as "men of war, that could keep rank," who came with a "perfect heart." They are appropriate patterns for the soldier of Christ.

To "stand" to be "steadfast and unmoveable" (1 Cor 15:58). It involves holding your ground, and not allowing the intrusion of our enemies. This includes preparedness and resolution, without which standing is not possible. Fallen soldiers are of no value to an army. Those who fail to stand and allow the enemy to leak through their part of the rank are a threat to the safety of their comrades. It is imperative that the child of God "stand." The "whole armor of God" has no utility for the soldier who does not stand.

THE GIRDLE OF TRUTH. Here is a vital piece of the armor. It circles the soldier, passing over all of the armor, and binding it close to his person. Some more liberal translations use the word "belt." As ordinarily understood, that falls short of the text. When the loins are girdled about, movement is possible with the least amount of hindrance, and the armor stays in place, yielding the optimum protection. The "loins" are a term denoting strength. To be girded about the loins is to have our strength protected, properly covered with the armor.

And what is this girdle, or belt, that is so essential? What holds the armor in place, protects the strength of the warrior, and allows free and unhindered movement? It is the truth! The "girdle" or "belt of truth." Two things are intended by the word "truth," and both are essential. First, the Word of God, and second the honesty and integrity of the soldier. The word "truth" means reality, or the way things really are. In this regard, the Word of God is the ultimate expression of reality. When praying for His disciples, Jesus said, "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth" (John 17:17). David referred to God's word as "the Word of truth" (Psa 119:43). Paul used the same expression in Second Corinthians 6:7. In Ephesians 1:13 and Colossians 1:5, "the Word of truth" is applied to the Gospel of salvation. Paul spoke to Timothy about correctly handling "the Word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15). James also uses the same expression, affirming we have been begotten of God by that Word (James 1:18).

A working knowledge of the Word of God is imperative if we are to "stand against the wiles of the devil, and "withstand in the evil day." Everything is held together with the truth of God. An ignorance of the "Word of truth" will cause a slippage in the armor, and make it difficult, if not impossible, to effectively engage the enemy.

But "truth" also refers to the integrity, commitment, and trustworthiness of the soldier. We do battle with the same frame of mind with which we observe the feast of remembrance: "sincerity and truth" (1 Cor 5:8). It is not only important that truth be spoken, but that the speaking itself be "in truth" (2 Cor 7:14). If the "fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth," it is imperative that these qualities be found in us (Eph 5:9).

The soldier of Christ must possess "the love of the truth" (2 Thess 2:10), having the truth in himself (2 Cor 11:10). He must "do nothing against the truth," but always and consistently be "for the truth" (2 Cor 13:8). He must "walk in the truth" (2 John 4), and, like Demetrius, have a good report of the truth itself (3 John 12).

When the soldier is girded about with the truth, he is not only ready for battle, he will pass Divine scrutiny. When truth is in our "inward parts," it makes us good warriors (Psa 51:6).

Truth is effective against the devil because he did not abide in the truth, and there is no truth in him (John 8:44). Truth shines the light of the glory of God in the kingdom of darkness, neutralizing the power of the enemy. Take the truth and tighten it around your waist. Be truthful yourself, without hypocrisy or guile. This is required for you to stand.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I know You desire for truth to be in my inward parts. In the name of Jesus, I confess that is where I also want it to be found. Grant me grace to be filled with and stabilized by Your truth.

– Tomorrow: TOO SMALL! TOO SMALL! --