May 31, 2013
Ephesians 6:10-18
(All scripture is from the New King James Version unless otherwise indicated.)
Let’s start looking at the armor God has provide for us to wear as we engage in spiritual battle with the enemy. In Ephesians 6:14 it says, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth….” This part of the armor protects the vital organs of the mid-part of your body. In the online jewishencyclopedia.com, it is stated, “The liver is the seat of life. The archers pierced the liver with their arrows (Prov. vii. 23), thereby quickly causing death.” So, in Biblical thinking, the liver is much more than just the organ with which we are familiar. And this vital organ is covered by this particular piece of armor. And this piece of armor is said to represent the truth.
Why is the truth so important in fighting our spiritual enemy and his minions? Remember in Know Your Enemy! – IV that Satan is characterized by the Lord as “…a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44). Also in II Corinthians 4:4 (KJV) it says,
…the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the
light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto
them.
And because the devil is so good at blinding minds and fostering deception through lies, the truth is all the more essential to Christians.
“What is truth?” Pilate asked that question in John 18:38. But then he turned away from the One who identified Himself as “…the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) without receiving an answer.
• So to begin to gird yourself with truth, you must start with Jesus! It is
absolutely necessary to have Him as your Savior and the Lord of your life.
But that is just the first part – not enough to be ready to fight and win the
battle.
• Jesus plainly said in His prayer recorded in John 17:17, “Your word is
truth.” Read, study, contemplate and memorize the Bible! Discipline
yourself to regularly take it into your life every day.
Years ago I made a pact with God that I would read His Word daily – a
plan that takes me through the Bible (in various versions) once every six
months. I am now reading through the Bible for the ninety-third time!
I don’t’ say this to glorify myself, but to show you what following a
disciplined plan can accomplish.
• The third thing you need to gird your waist with truth is to be involved
in a good Bible-believing church. Paul wrote in II Timothy 3:15 that
“…the house of God…is the church of the living God, the pillar and
ground of the truth.” So Christian worship and fellowship regularly is
very important!
So know the One who is the truth, immerse yourself in the Word of truth, and be active in the church of truth. This will be a great start for donning the spiritual armor to fight against your spiritual enemy.