TRUTH FIRST
Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.
Ephesians 6:14 (NLT)
If you were heading into battle against a fierce enemy, what would you grab first—a weapon, a shield or a bulletproof vest? Few of us would choose a belt. Yet that's exactly what the Apostle Paul names as the first piece of spiritual armor we must put on. Why would something so ordinary come before every other piece of armor? Ever wonder why this is? Why is Paul so adamant that the belt of truth comes first? To understand this, we must consider how Roman soldiers dressed for battle. A soldier's uniform was a kilt-like skirt with a long tunic overtop. They then used a wide leather belt to hold everything in place and provide a band to tuck their tunic into so they could run, fight and move around with agility. All other armor would go on top of this. Without a belt, everything else would be ineffective. Putting on their belt was a soldier's way of saying they were ready to enter battle. They couldn't fight without it.
Think of the spiritual implications of this. Paul seems to be saying you aren't ready to do battle until you've first wrapped yourself in truth. Reminding ourselves of who God is, what He has done, and what He has promised us grounds us, empowers us and keeps us from falling for the enemy's lies.
The belt of truth isn't an offensive weapon; rather, it's for your protection. Knowing the truth protects you from the enemy's lies—one of his greatest weapons. We must preach the truth to ourselves so we don't fall prey to the enemy's deceitful whispers. Then we're ready for whatever battles come our way.
APPLICATION: Right now, consider a struggle you're facing—an area of weakness, a point of frustration or a failure you're trying to overcome. Identify three biblical truths that speak to that struggle. They can be full Scripture verses or simple statements such as _God loves me, God is sovereign, and God wins. Commit these truths to memory by writing them on a sticky note, setting them as your phone's wallpaper, or placing them somewhere prominent so they can penetrate your heart and mind.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Your Word is true. The Bible reminds me that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life—and I need Your truth to overcome the enemy's lies. Please remind me of all that I have in You when tested by today's struggles. Help me saturate my mind with what's true, and seek Your Truth first today. In Jesus' name, Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?