Armor: Belt of Truth

Spiritual Warfare – Message 2
Perry Duggar

September 25, 2022

I. Introduction: We continue our series, Spiritual Warfare.

• John 8:44; Ephesians 6:10-14; Revelation 12:9-10

A. Ephesians 6:10–14 (NLT)—The Whole Armor of God

1. Paul closed the letter of Ephesians with a warning about spiritual warfare and how to withstand attack from our spiritual adversaries.
2. Ephesians 6:10 (NLT) —A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
3. Satan’s control over us is limited; he has been defeated through Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection, which conquered the power of sin and death. (1 Corinthians 15:56-57; Hebrews 2:14)
4. But Satan is not powerless, he is still the ruler of this world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4), and states that the world lies in his power (1 John 5:19).
5. However, God provides what we need to battle our evil enemy.
6. Ephesians 6:11 (NLT) — Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies [other translations “wiles, schemes, tricks”] of the devil.
7. Satan is a single being; his schemes are carried out through an evil world system he rules with demons (fallen angels: Matthew 25:41; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6; Revelation 12:9).
8. Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) —For we are not fighting [palē, lit., wrestling, hand-to-hand combat] against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. [Different ranks of demonic beings in an evil, supernatural empire.]
9. Ephesians 6:13 (NLT) —Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor [wear permanently, practice using continually] so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

B. Meaning of the Belt of Truth

1. Paul was in prison in Rome (60-62 AD), likely chained to a Roman soldier (perhaps two!) when he wrote the words of this letter to the church in Ephesus.
   
2. He compared the attire of a Roman soldier with the armor given to us by God.
3. Theme verse: Ephesians 6:14 (NLT)— Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth…
4. Roman soldiers wore wide leather belts (girdles in other translations) around their waists.
5. The belt was not a piece of warfare armor, but it was essential for engaging in battle.
6. Soldiers would often wear long, loose robes, particularly in cooler weather.
7. They would wrap these robes tightly through and around their legs and waist, then secure the robes in place with the belt (girding) so the robe would not trip or tangle them up.
8. Their hands could then be used to grip their swords and shields for battle.
9. In addition, the soldier’s scabbard and sword was attached to his belt.
10. [ The spiritual meaning of] Belt of truth = Truthfulness throughout my life (integrity).
11. This means speaking, acting, living truthfully in every area of our lives; having integrity.
12. Integrity = consistency between my beliefs and my behavior. (practicing my faith)
13. When we believe the Gospel, which means we accept God’s truth, we are born again, and the Spirit of truth (John 15:26), lives within us permanently; He guides us into truth (16:13).
14. When our lives are saturated with truth, we are not susceptible to the devil’s deceptions.

B. The Belt of Truth enables me to battle Satan by…

1. Reminding the world is temporary. (Matthew 16:24-26; 18:7; James 4:3-4; 1 John 2:15-17) [These are external temptations to sin.]

1. 1 John 2:15–16 (NLT) — Do not love this world [life indifferent to God’s plan, under the devil’s control] nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure [lust of the flesh, normal desires satisfied in immoral ways] , a craving for everything we see [lust of the eyes, wanting what we see, dissatisfied with what God has given, materialism] , and pride in our achievements and possessions [boastful pride of life, desire to be elevated above others, with wealth and fame] . These are not from the Father, but are from this world. [Which is controlled by Satan; 1 John 5:19]
   
2. It requires spiritual discernment, truth guided by the Spirit, to recognize when the world’s offerings become displeasing to God.
3. Vacations and wonderful meals in fine restaurants (physical pleasures) aren’t wrong.
4. Buying furniture for your house isn’t sinful and neither is advancing in your profession.
5. These practices becomes displeasing to God when they become selfish cravings or drives that displace Him as the focus of our lives and direct us away from what He wants for us.
6. If we are wearing the belt of truth, we will be aware when external temptations, which can come through advertisements, TV, movies and magazines (in print and online) social media, and the comments of other people, inflame us into craving something that, we know, is not from our Heavenly Father.
7. Truth enables us to recognize and causes us to admit to ourselves and to God that we are selfishly pursuing the world’s offerings of physical pleasure, materialism, or pride.
8. 1 John 2:17 (NLT) — And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
9. If we have integrity, we will know and affirm that these worldly pursuits are not lasting—physical pleasures lose their appeal, material possessions lose their attraction, and achievements lose their fascination, but pursuing God is new and interesting every day.
10. APP.: Have you focused your energy and efforts on passing worldly pursuits that don’t please God and prevent you from developing a deeper intimacy with Him?

The Belt of Truth enables me to battle Satan by…

2. Realizing flesh results in death. (John 8:31-32; Romans 8:5-8; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 4:21-23) [These are internal temptations.]

1. Romans 8:5–6 (NLT) — Those who are dominated by the sinful nature [flesh, Greek sarx, the physical body, as opposed to the soul or spirit, passions of human nature] think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. [separation from God] But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
2. We have physical bodies, flesh, with natural appetites and needs such as hunger, thirst, the need for rest, the desire for sex.
3. We also have mental and emotional needs for significance and security, freedom from fear, a sense of worth and identity.
4. God has given us appropriate ways to satisfy our natural needs and desires. (EX.: Sex is for marriage between a man and woman, significance and identity are found in Christ.)
5. Fulfilling a legitimate need in an illegitimate, immoral, unbiblical, way is sin, which leads to death (separation from God in this life and ultimately, for eternity in the next).
6. Gratifying ourselves, attempting to satisfy appetites and drives—without regard for, or in direct defiance of, God’s guidelines makes us susceptible to Satan’s temptations.
7. Galatians 5:19–21 (NLT) — When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
8. If you have strapped on the belt of truth, you will realize when you are being led by your flesh (sinful natural human nature) and are disregarding what the Spirit is saying to you.
9. Wearing the belt of truth allows you to resist the drives and desires of your sinful nature.
10. Ephesians 4:21–23 (NLT) — Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
11. APP.: Are you allowing some natural desire to dominate your life and damage your faith?

The Belt of Truth enables me to battle Satan by…

3. Recognizing the devil’s deception. (John 8:44; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; 2 Timothy 2:25-26; James 4:7-8; 1 John 3:8) [These are supernatural temptations.]

1. 2 Timothy 2:25–26 (NLT) — Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
   
2. The best way to recognize a lie, and a liar, is to know truth.
3. When we know the Gospel and have received the Spirit of truth as a permanent resident inside of us, whom we listen to and are led by, we are not easily fooled by Satan’s lies.
4. The devil’s demons attempt to discourage our faith, distort the Gospel, cause us to doubt God, hinder service to Him, justify disobedience, rationalize selfishness, incite revenge, bring division (especially among Christians), also, encourage pride, anger and dishonesty.
5. These diabolical temptations are experienced as a whispered thought or idea, or perhaps a suggestion from another person.
6. The devil’s deceptive words sound like these phrases: “You’re only human. Everybody sins. God wants you to be happy. How could there be anything wrong with expressing love? You deserve this. No one will ever know.”
7. When we receive these sinful suggestions from a supernatural source, we recognize it immediately because it does not sound like what the God we know would say. (John 10:3)
8. The Spirit will warn us when we are listening to a Satanic voice, so ask Him to confirm.
9. James 4:7-8 (NLT) — So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. …
10. APP.: Are you being deceived into pursuing a path that you know is wrong? Resist! Repent and return to closely following God!
11. Memory verses: John 8:31-32 (NLT)— ³¹ Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. ³² And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”