Editor's Note: This post was first published in January 2020 and was revised and updated for republication.
We hear a lot about Spiritual Warfare these days. It is a real war, and we need to take it seriously, but we need to see it for what it really is. If you are a believer in Jesus and have received Him as your Savior, you are in the body of Christ, and this means you are in the spiritual war between God and His enemy.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV) 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
A lot of believers either don’t realize that they are in a war or don't take it seriously. So they are not actively engaged in the war, even though they are on the receiving end of the consequences of that war. They are attacked and become wounded and incapacitated because they are totally unprepared to face the enemy.
To survive the first thing, we have to realize is that there really is a war and we do have an enemy. What we must realize is that our enemy is God’s enemy. In fact, he is our enemy because he is God’s enemy. The mere fact that you are a child of God means that you are subject to attack at any time. You may believe you don’t have to engage in the battle, but you do.
Satan does exist and he has a military force. The war is never over because the enemy never never gives up. Jesus has defeated him, but he continues to engage in guerilla warfare. Much like terrorists or any other defeated enemy does until they are destroyed.
This is a spiritual war, but it’s every bit as real as the conflicts that we see being waged in the world today. The Bible is clear that this is not a battle which is fought on a physical plane at all, but rather a spiritual one.
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
We must never go to battle without the things we need to protect ourselves and to win. Remember our battle is spiritual, so our protection and weapons are spiritual. God has provided some armor for our protection.
Ephesians 6:10-17 ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
We must have the whole armor of God always protecting us so we can stand successfully against the enemy’s attacks and plans.
To “take your stand” means to stand in front of and in opposition to the forces and plans of evil. It means to be the one standing after the battle. It also means to stand ready for the next battle which will come.
You need this armor to stop any attack in your life and the lives of those you care about.
In this blog series we are going to look at this armor and how it protects us in our battle against Satan and his army.
We hear a lot about Spiritual Warfare these days. It is a real war, and we need to take it seriously, but we need to see it for what it really is. If you are a believer in Jesus and have received Him as your Savior, you are in the body of Christ, and this means you are in the spiritual war between God and His enemy.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV) 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
A lot of believers either don’t realize that they are in a war or don't take it seriously. So they are not actively engaged in the war, even though they are on the receiving end of the consequences of that war. They are attacked and become wounded and incapacitated because they are totally unprepared to face the enemy.
To survive the first thing, we have to realize is that there really is a war and we do have an enemy. What we must realize is that our enemy is God’s enemy. In fact, he is our enemy because he is God’s enemy. The mere fact that you are a child of God means that you are subject to attack at any time. You may believe you don’t have to engage in the battle, but you do.
Satan does exist and he has a military force. The war is never over because the enemy never never gives up. Jesus has defeated him, but he continues to engage in guerilla warfare. Much like terrorists or any other defeated enemy does until they are destroyed.
This is a spiritual war, but it’s every bit as real as the conflicts that we see being waged in the world today. The Bible is clear that this is not a battle which is fought on a physical plane at all, but rather a spiritual one.
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
We must never go to battle without the things we need to protect ourselves and to win. Remember our battle is spiritual, so our protection and weapons are spiritual. God has provided some armor for our protection.
Ephesians 6:10-17 ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
We must have the whole armor of God always protecting us so we can stand successfully against the enemy’s attacks and plans.
To “take your stand” means to stand in front of and in opposition to the forces and plans of evil. It means to be the one standing after the battle. It also means to stand ready for the next battle which will come.
You need this armor to stop any attack in your life and the lives of those you care about.
In this blog series we are going to look at this armor and how it protects us in our battle against Satan and his army.
The Belt of Truth
We are fighting a spiritual war, and we cannot ignore it. The enemy is real, and he is a liar.
John 8:44 ESV [44] You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
One of the ways he trips us up in life is by feeding us lies. All our armor is crucial to wear, but in order to uproot all the lies that have been planted in our lives, it’s important to always guard ourselves in truth.
Ephesians 6:14(a) ESV [14] Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth,
John 8:31-32 (ESV) 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
It is not just any truth that sets you free. It is God’s truth. We find that truth in His Word, in the Bible. It is this truth that gives us support and strength as we resist the attacks of the enemy
Roman soldiers wore something similar to what a weightlifter wears to give him strength and support, so he won’t hurt the core of his body. It enabled the soldiers to stand stronger against their enemy.
It was a thick, heavy leather and metal band with a protective piece hanging down from the front of it. The belt held the soldier’s sword and other weapons.
In addition to holding the soldier's weapon the belt has another very important function. The Roman wore a tunic a basic item of military clothing and was typically made of linen or wool. It was short-sleeved, but could also be sleeveless, and was usually knee-length or down to the thighs. The tunic was made of two rectangular pieces of cloth sewn together at the sides and shoulders, with large openings for the head and arms. The picture presented is that of a Roman soldier and his tunic. In order to be effective in battle and so that a soldier didn’t trip over his tunic, he had to pull it up and tuck it into his belt, enabling the soldier to fight unhindered. In the same way, in order for us to be effective in fighting against the enemy, we must tuck all we have into the belt of truth. For we live in a world full of lies, with the father of lies whispering them to us daily.
It is fitting that the belt of truth is the first piece of the whole armor of God. Truth is of the utmost importance in the life of a Christian. Without truth, the rest of the armor would be of no use to us because we would not have the Spirit of truth.
John 14:6 (ESV)6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 15:26 (ESV)26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
The belt of truth of the spiritual armor holds the sword of the Spirit.
Ephesians 6:17 (ESV)17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
The belt links truth and the Word of God
John 17:17 (ESV)17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
The Word of God is truth.
The belt of truth is a crucial piece of defensive armor guarding us e against the lies and deceptions of the enemy. Without an understanding of truth, we are left vulnerable;
Ephesians 4:14 (ESV)14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
The belt of truth protects us and prepares us for the battle that is part of every Christian’s life.
What are the dangers of not wearing the belt?
Today the world teaches that truth is what we make it—that good and bad are relative and that there are no absolutes, only equally valid opinions. But the Bible teaches that truth is God's Word—that good and bad are defined by Him and that there are eternal and unchangeable absolutes, uninfluenced by opinions.
The Scriptures tell us that we are not to be conformed to the world, we are not to think like the world.
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
We can’t buy into a system of belief that says absolute truth is a myth. As Christians, we know both that there is truth and that it is absolute.
2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Imagine a belt with the buckle missing. The belt is useless. To do it’s job it must be complete.
Now try living a life you don't completely agree with. Maybe it doesn't seem like a big deal—after all, what are a couple minor points of disagreement? Those minor points are everything. To try to live God's way without total belief in its validity is like trying to hold your sword up with a belt that isn't continuous. It won’t work. Our trust in God and His Word must be solid, or else we will quickly find ourselves without a weapon. No matter how effective the rest of our armor is, we are useless without our sword. We need to be rightly dividing the word of truth—knowing what we believe, and why.
If you haven’t put on the belt of truth, the rest of the armor won’t matter. So—how secure is your belt?
Dear God,
Thank you for providing us with your Word, the Bible, so that we can access truth in a world full of lies. Thank you for the wisdom your Word provides us. Holy Spirit, please remind us to read and give us the passion to seek out Your Word daily. Forgive us when we lean on truth from other things or people rather than relying on your truth, which is the only truth. Please allow your truth to sink deep into our hearts so that we can discern a lie the moment it enters our minds. Help us to tighten our belts of truth each day as we study your Word. We know that we have an enemy and that there will be daily battles, but we praise you and thank you because you have already won the war. Thank you for the wisdom in your Word and for the promise of life that we can cling to this side of eternity. We praise you for loving us and equipping us each day.
In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
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