The Belt of Truth

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Photo Source: Biblecartoons.co.uk

We’re all familiar with the spiritual armour passage in Ephesians 6 where Paul’s exhorts us to put on the armour and stand against the enemy’s schemes. As you might expect, as an author of speculative fiction, it is a passage I reflect on often, as I create my stories.

Putting the armour on is a practice that I observe frequently. Perhaps, not frequently enough, but I have it written on one of the notes attached to the base of my Mac desktop that I stare at for many hours each day: “Put the armour on!”

The Armour

Let’s have a quick look at the armour that is mentioned in verses 14-18:

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (NIV)

Do note that I’ve included v18 and the significance of prayer, especially as the verse starts with “and” so it’s a continuation of the previous verse.

I’ve always found it easy to visualize the armour as I pray. Often I’ll get an image of Iron Man putting on that suit, rockets in the forearms and all.

The armour is only useful if we actually take a stand as Paul states four times in verses 11-14. So in taking a stand I reflect on what each element represents as I put it on.

I tend to find it easier to grab a hold of the shield of faith and sword of the spirit. Our faith in God pushes back the arrows of the enemy as the word of the Lord slays their forward progress. These two elements are more intentional or aggressive than the other pieces so it’s easier for my mind to picture deflecting those arrows and slashing my way through demons as they approach.

What Truth?

Typically when I reflect on the belt of truth I visualize a utility belt not unlike one Batman wears as I state a number of the characteristics of God, for example:

  • No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17)
  • Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4)

This week as I reflected on the truth it struck me that it’s not just about who God is but who we are in Him. One of Satan’s most potent weapons are the lies or deceptions he has us believe about ourselves.

I am a new creation in Christ, the old Ian has died and a new Ian has been birthed. And inside the new Ian is Jesus. Perfect and eternal Jesus. Jesus who is the Truth (John 14:6)

And that is biblical truth that the enemy really doesn’t want to hear coming from us as he has no weapons to combat it.

Getting the Word into us is so important so we can be speaking the truth to ourselves and eliminating the lies and misconceptions we have allowed to influence us for too long.

It equips us to stand firm with resolve and determination because we know who and what we believe in .

The truth really does set us free (John 8:32).

What are the truths or promises of God you speak to yourself when you’re struggling?

2 replies
  1. Joanne
    Joanne says:

    WOW! WOW! LOVE THIS IAN! I could have verbal diarrhea right now the way my mind is spinning but first I will say that putting on the armour was a very difficult thing for me to grasp. Isn’t it amazing how easily distracted we can be for such a simple effort with GREAT VALUE for our protection! Likewise is the deception of the Bible weighing TOO much to LIFT, let alone OPEN! SO CATCHING ON to the pathetic tactics of the enemy now.
    Ian! Where you have a note at the base of your Mac? I have a little “lego man in armour” that a dear friend sent me after using him in our Facebook messages to remind each other to put on the armour. I will be sending a photo to you via Facebook of this. BUT…recently I had to let my “doggy chariot” (car) go to car heaven and my little lego armour man was originally riding on my dashboard. When I had to clean out my car I pried him off BUT lost the SHIELD and isn’t it UNCANNY that FAITH was something God was talking to me about? I was a bit upset at this, losing my FAITH? Then as I was out walking one morning I heard the Spirit tell me I would find another shield for my lego armour man!? What?? LOL! Seriously? God is even concerned about THAT? So keenly watching the ground I found it! A lump of tin foil wadded up in what looked like to MY EYE, a SHIELD! At first i thought, it can’t be THIS? It’s TOO BIG! But then I realized THAT was what God had been wanting me to develope. BIG FAITH!

    My favourite Word from God is the Bible. LOL! Every day He speaks something different to me Ian and it is ALWAYS PERFECT! Whatever unfolds before me in my day, He already knows and sees it and He whispers His gems as Promises, encouragement, guidance and comfort.

    “Inside the new Ian is Jesus.” AMEN!
    And the devil is SHAKIN’ in his boots!!!

    Reply
    • Ian
      Ian says:

      Hi Jo, thanks for popping over. I love the Lego Man. I might try and find one myself.

      It’s incredible how the Lord gives us both Himself and new revelation when we read His Word. But as you so clearly demonstrate we need to open the Word with an expectant heart.

      May Jesus fill both of our hearts. Amen.

      Bless,

      Reply

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