Several times in our travels, we have stopped on the island of Guam. Houses on Guam are made of cement, rooves, and all. Many houses also have solid shutters for the windows. You see, Guam often endures powerful cyclones and they want their houses to be still standing after the storm passes.

That is the kind of endurance God had in mind when he ordered, “stand therefore, having your lions girt about with truth”. He wants us to prepare to stand solid and to withstand the storms of temptation.

Transition

To help us gird our loins with truth, we ought to first answer three important questions about our text.

Of What Significance Was the Belt to A Soldier?

  1. First let’s define the terms
    1. Loins are our hips or waist
    2. Gird means to fasten garments with a girdle or belt.
      1. Often in the Bible, we read, “gird up your loins”.This refers to the “habit of the Orientals, who quickly gathered up their loose robes with a girdle when in a hurry or starting on a journey”. – RWP

        In a figurative sense “gird up your loins” meant to put one’s self in readiness for any service that might be required”. – Unger

      2. This belt held the garment when a person tucked it up for running or working.
  2. The girdle was a vital part of a soldier’s armour
    1. It did not really protect, but it made it easier to move.
      1. Girdle was a belt about 150mm wide of either leather or linen. The soldier’s belt was usually leathern. The girdle was often highly decorated or studded.
      2. For a soldier, the girdle kept his loose garments from getting in the way during battle. This also enabled him to run when necessary.
    2. A soldier attached their sword to his belt.
      1. Cleon Rogers informs us that, “The Roman soldiers wore one of at least three wide belts or girdles – the breech-like leather apron worn to protect the lower abdomen; or the sword belt, which was buckled on to together with the sword …; and the special belt or sash designating an officer or high official”. – The New Linguistic and Exegetical key to the Greek NT, p.446
      2. When he girded his loins, the soldier’s hands were free to use in combat.

How Does God Apply the Belt to Spiritual Armour?

  1. Truth is the Christian soldier’s belt.
    1. Since the armour is God’s, not ours, truth cannot be speaking of our own truthfulness.
      1. This armour is not our constant determination to tell the truth. If it were, the armour would be our own. Besides, our “determination” is no match for the deceptive power of our demonic foe. We are weak.
      2. Remember, our protection is in the Person, power, and panoply of God. The belt of truth then is armour that God provides. It is not something we do.
    2. All that God is and says is truth.
      1. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit speak only truth.Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

        John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

        1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

      2. Because God is true, His word is also true. God’s promises are truth. If he said it, you can depend upon it. Here are a few examples of God’s true promises.Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

        1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

        Hebrews 13:5 … he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

        1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

      3. Claim God’s truth when Satan lies saying, “God does not love you”, “God will not forgive you”, “now that you sinned, you might as well keep sinning”, etc.
  2. Each Christian must gird on the belt of truth
    1. Putting on this belt is every Christian’s personal duty
      1. The Bible phrase, “having your loins girt”, makes the command sound like something God does to us.
      2. However, the verb is in the middle voice so that it literally means, “having girded your own loins”. If you are going to wear God’s belt of truth, you are going to have to put it on yourself. It is a personal choice.
      3. Being past tense, it must be done before the battle.
    2. Wearing the belt of truth will enable faster resistance to temptation.
      1. We won’t trip over doubt
      2. We won’t question God’s ability
      3. We won’t be deceived by demonic lies

How Can We Put on God’s Belt of Truth?

  1. We put on truth by finding specific promises.
    1. We cannot use a verse that we do not know. Before the battle, we must find and learn verses that express God’s promises about temptation.
    2. We must believe God’s truth in our hearts.
  2. We must put on God’s truth every day!
    1. Daily put on God’s truth by drawing close to the Lord in sincere Bible study and prayer.James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

      1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

    2. Daily put on God’s truth by memorizing and meditating on His promises.
      1. God’s promises must be in the forefront of our minds.
      2. Memorizing and meditating on the Word takes time, but is part of putting on the belt of truth. The truth will protect us. Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”. (Joh 8:32)
    3. Daily put on God’s truth by walking in truth.The Apostle John wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3John 1:4)
      1. To walk in God’s truth we must sift all that we do through the Bible grid as God commands.1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
      2. To walk in God’s truth we must apply it during temptations. Satan wants us to think about things that are false, forgiven, or forbidden. We must only think true thoughts. Stop believing Satan’s lies.Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Conclusion

In order to stand in the evil day, you MUST fasten God’s truth around you like a belt. You must know it, believe it, memorise it, and recall it as needed. The devil is a liar. He will plague you with things that are false, forgiven, and forbidden. Without God’s belt of truth, you will trip or have a slow reaction to temptation.

Find verses that address your weaknesses. Buckle them on by memorising them. Stop listening to the lie of the devil that convinces you that you cannot memorise Scripture. That is not true. Obey God and put on the belt of truth.

Song: Have Thine Own Way – 388
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The Belt of Truth
6 July 2014 PM – Ephesians 6:14a – Eph 14 – Scott Childs