We have begun looking at the spiritual armor provided for us in the spiritual battles that we face. This armor is set out in Ephesians 6. The first item of armor is the Girdle of Truth. Notice what the Bible says: “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth. . . .” (Eph. 6:14).
Notice that Paul is using the Roman legionnaire’s armor as an example for Christians. His audience would have understood this Girdle of Truth to be a belt wrapped around the waist, which was connected to the rest of the armor. In a real sense, this Girdle (or belt) was the foundation of the rest of the armor because it bound all the armor together. You see, the Roman soldier’s belt held the other pieces of armor together because each of the other pieces of the body armor was fastened to this belt. Even the weapons were fastened to this belt. It was the centerpiece of the armor!
Likewise, beloved friends, Truth is the foundation of all the other items of the Christian’s armor! Jesus Himself declared that He is “the way, the TRUTH, and the life” (John 14:6)! In speaking to the woman at the well, He shared with her that “God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in TRUTH” (John 4:24). Ultimately, Jesus made the absolute declaration that “ye shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free” (John 8:32)! The benefit of knowing and worshipping in truth is that we will be made “free”. In what way are we made free? NOT in an eternal sense – that was accomplished by God alone! But rather, the truth will free us in this world.
It is commonly taught in the world today that truth is malleable, that it is “relative.” You’ll often hear, “My truth is as good as your truth,” even if these “truths” are diametrically opposed. But beloved friends, do not be deceived by this false philosophy – there is much deceit in the world today! We are constantly being fed lies about abortion being nothing more than a choice, and even elevating it to the status of a “human right”, when in reality it is nothing less than the destruction of life. We hear lies about the nature of marriage today, tearing down the biblical emphasis on marital purity and promoting fornication, and ultimately destroying the very definition of marriage itself!
But what does the Bible say about Truth? Isaiah prophesies about it: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isa. 5:20)! My friends, the truth cannot be found in the rudiments of the world. So where can it be found in this life?
First of all, truth can be found in the word of God. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Look at Psalm 119; the longest chapter in the Bible is primarily about the firm foundation of the word of God!
Also, truth can be found in the Church of God. Paul told Timothy that the church is the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). A foundation is what we build upon; a pillar holds something up for the world to see. Thus, we must conclude that the church must be built upon the truth (the word of God), and must hold the truth up for all the world to see!
Let us seek out and cling to the truth, for indeed the Girdle of Truth holds all the rest of the armor together! If we get this wrong, the rest of the armor will not protect us like it should.
May the Lord bless you is my prayer.
Elder Chris McCool, Pastor