BELT UP!

Ephesians 6: l1-14

Wouldn't it be a great thing if the Devil was to leave us alone after we get saved. After all he has lost us for we have been delivered "out of the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God's dear Son." However, he does not leave us alone. As we saw in last study "the Devil goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) He is our adversary. Against him we are commanded:

To be strong in the Lord - God's Power (10;)

To put on the whole armour of God - God's Provision (6: 11)

To stand against the Devil - Our Posture (13,14;)

To withstand in the "evil day" - Our Perseverance

To quench all the fiery darts of the "evil one." Our Protection

There is an interesting parallel between the attitude of the Christian confronting his adversary in the spiritual realm and that of Joshua entering into the Promised Land. As the Christian is commanded "to stand" so Joshua was told to claim the land by standing on it. "Every place that the sole of your feet shall tread upon, that have I given you…" It was for this reason God commanded Joshua three times to "be strong and of good courage." (Joshua 1:6-9). Joshua passed Jehovah's command to the people. (Joshua 1:18)

When Joshua's army entered Caanan it was not to conquer the land but to claim it. God had already given the land to them. After the initial claiming of the Promised Land there arose a generation that did not remember the Lord (Judges 2:10) They didn't stand against the enemy but rather bowed down to the enemy's idols. (Judges 2 12) Because of this Israel was not able to stand any longer against their enemies. (Judges 2:13,14.) Joshua was only able to stand against the enemy at Jericho when he learned to bow before the Lord Jehovah. (Josh.5:10-15)

To enable us to stand it is essential that we take unto us the whole armour of God. This is a deliberate exercise for the Christian. It is the whole armour for the whole of the Church for the whole of the time.

"Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth." The first thing for the Christian to do is to belt up.

1. The Priority of the Soldier's Girdle

The Roman soldier's belt was a very necessary part of a Roman soldier's armour. We should not think of it as a mere belt. It was more like a leather apron and it was absolutely vital because every other part of his armour depended on it for security and usefulness.

Paul observed that the Roman soldier put his armor on and then over the armour he buckled his belt. It was his belt that held to all the armour together. On this belt he also hung his sword and possibly a dagger, his implements of war. Roman soldiers also wore a toga - a tunic which was a large square piece of material with openings for the head and arms. The toga hung low and loose over the body. The toga could hinder soldier going into battle as his tunic would flap in the breeze. This would hinder his mobility and fighting capacity and possibly even trip him up. To avoid this happening the soldier would take the four corners of his tunic and pull them through the belt. This gave him the flexibility that he needed to fight effectively. Loose armour was awkward and would make the soldier unprepared for battle. It was important that all the armour know the benefit of the belt.

As Christian soldiers it is easy to become entangled in loose living. In 2 Timothy 2:4, Paul said that a good soldier should not be all tangled up with the affairs of this life. He must tighten up or he will be ineffective in his fight. It is the same idea of "girding up our loins," or being spiritually alert. It is important to note that what the man of God is takes priority above what the man of God does.

In Luke 12:35, Jesus spoke of making sure our loins are girded. "Girding your loins" was a figure of speech which had the idea of gathering up all the loose material, tucking it into your belt and being ready to go. It was a symbol of readiness or preparedness to move out in flight or battle.

In Exodus 12:11 the Children of Israel were told to eat the Passover with their loins girded and shoes on their feet and a staff in their hand. While they feasted on the Lamb they had to be ready for the exodus out of Egypt. This reminds us that we also must be ready.

Ready for death or departure. "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand." (2 Timothy 4:6)

Ready to suffer for the Saviour. "For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 21:13)

Ready to speak for the Saviour "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" (1 Peter 3:15)

Ready to serve the Saviour. "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also" We must be ready for sacrifice or service. (Romans 1:15)

The belt was also used to support the soldier's weapons. He would attach his sword to the belt and later on we will see that the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is attached to and associated with the belt of truth.

Why the loins? The loins involved the vulnerable but vital area of abdomen. We should bear in mind that in New Testament times the bowels were the seat of all emotions. Peter wrote, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1Peter 1:13) The adversary's attack against us is often on our mind which is both vital and vulnerable. See Peter's admonition in 1 Peter 4:1. Paul "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin."

We are to be "girt with truth." This speaks of our confidence in the truth, our commitment to the truth and our character which should be based on truth. It is the truth that causes all else in our lives to hold together. The Devil is a liar, he cannot stand the truth, he cannot face the truth and if you would overcome him we must be people of truth. We must know the truth, believe the truth, live the truth and tell the truth. Satan is a liar, Jesus Christ is the truth.

The first item of equipment mentioned, the girdle of truth, and the last listed, the sword of the Spirit, have to do with the Word of God. The order in which they are given remind us that it is important that we wear the belt of truth before we are able to wield the weapon of truth. It is not enough to carry the sword in our hands. We must let the truth gird our hearts and minds.

Jesus Christ is the Truth (John 14:6) God's Word is Truth. (John 17:17) The Holy Spirit is Truth (John 16:13) The Church is the pillar and ground of Truth (1Tim. 3:4)

Believers are those who trusted the truth, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians1:13)

Believers are those who test doctrine by the truth. "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." (Ephesians 4:14,15)

Believers are those who are taught in the truth, "If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:" (Ephesians 4:21)

Believers are those whose testimony is to the truth. "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light: For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. (Ephesians 5:8,9)

"Believers are those whose testimony is to the truth." Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Believers are those who triumph by the truth. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:14,17;)

The devil is a liar and the father of lies. He will attack our minds with his lies and it is important for us to girt up the loins of our minds with the truth of God.

2. The Stability of the Soldier's Girdle

Although the girdle was mentioned first it is the last piece of armour to be put on. It gave strength to the body and support to the armour. When the girdle was put on the soldier was ready for engagement with the enemy. It indicated commitment to the battle.

There are various ways to gird up our minds with the truth.

We can read God's Word. Spiritual maturity and stability can not be known outside the reading of God's Word.

We can hear God's Word. We can listen to the Lord's Word at Church or when we share the Word together in study. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

We can study God's Word. This is what separates those who are serious from those who live on the periphery of Christian experience. God's Word is both simple and deep. Great gems are rarely found on the surface. We need to dig to find the greatest gems of the Word.

We can meditate on God's Word. As we read and study it our minds become as libraries with volumes of truth stacked on the shelves of our mind. By meditation we ponder them, personalize them and apply them to our lives or to situations. (Psalm 1:2)

We can memorize God's Word. This is an investment. Jesus Christ read, heard, studied, meditated upon and memorized God's Word. Memorization will help cultivate a biblical mind. We will never regret the time we spend on memorizing God's Word.

3. The Purity of the Girdle

The girdle is the belt of truth. This reminds us of the integrity of the Christian. Jeremiah 13:1-6 The girdle that was marred and useless was that which was soiled. God demanded truth in the inward parts (Psalm5l:6) As Christians we need to be committed to integrity. Integrity means you are morally pure. Integrity means you are financially dependable. Integrity means you are verbally honest. Integrity means you are spiritually real. No fudge and no hypocrisy.

I like the contrast Dr. Weirsbie makes in highlighting the integrity of Abraham against the duplicity of Lot; the dedication of Joshua was contrary to the deceit of Acahan; the spirituality of David contrasted against the carnality of Saul.

4. The Utility of the Girdle.

We have already mentioned the usefulness of the girdle. However, it should be without recognized that without the belt the soldier could not carry the sword. Many there are who want to wield the sword before they wear the belt.