Bible Verse:
The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:13 to “Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.”
Thoughts:
As I was checking my gear for the upcoming waterfowl season, I began to think about what all we wear, suit up with, in order to go duck or goose hunting on water or in a dry field. In the cold of winter while hunting in water, we have all of the basic inner and outer layers including waders in order to keep us warm and dry. If we are dry field hunting we suit up with some type of insulated bibs or coveralls to protect us from the elements. We go to great lengths to protect us from the elements while pursuing our outdoor passion.
When playing football there’s lots of equipment to put on before each practice and game suiting up with pads and a helmet in order to protect or body while on the field of contest.
Action Point:
Just as the right clothing provides protection while hunting and pads and a helmet provide football players with physical protection, we as Christians need other protection as well.
We are called to put on the full armor of God in order to help us stand against the devil’s schemes. There is a battle that is raging everyday in the spiritual realm, a battle for your heart. While God is trying to influence and draw people toward righteousness, Satan on the other hand is doing everything he can to scheme and tempt us to turn our hearts away from God.
Fortunately, God has given us a suit of armor for us to put on in order to stand against the attack of the enemy. However, I’m afraid that many of us each day, fail to suit up with the most important protection of our lives spiritually.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:13 to “Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.”
Paul no doubt uses the armor illustration due to the fact that he is writing this letter while in prison chained to a Roman guard. He had plenty of time to observe each piece of armor worn by the Roman soldiers.
Paul in Ephesians chapter six identifies six different pieces of armor.
“Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.” Ephesians 6:14
The soldier’s belt called the cingulum or balteus played an important role in the effectiveness of his armor. Not only did the soldier use the belt to tuck his robe under so that he could run on the battle field, the breast plate was also attached to it as well as holding the scabbard, without which there would be no place to put a sword. The Nelson Study Bible also says, from the belt “hung strips of leather to protect the lower body.”
The belt may not have seemed that important and it may not have received the same attention as other pieces, but it was an essential, foundational part of the armor.
So why is it important to wear the belt of truth? The truth mentioned here is the Word of God and wearing the belt of truth is the first defense in combating the lies of the enemy.
Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life”, and it is only through Him that we come to God. Therefore, truth is of the utmost importance in the life of a Christian.
The belt of truth is a vital piece of defensive armor guarding our inmost being in the battle against the lies and deceptions of the enemy. Without being firmly rooted in truth, we are left vulnerable to being “carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).
The belt of truth protects us and prepares us for the battle that is part of our Christian journey.
Sportsmen’s Tip:
There are many types of equipment that you can use to hunt Water Fowl. The internet and magazines tell you what is best and that they will cause you to have a better and more successful hunt.
There are also lots of temptations out there on the internet and magazines that tell us how we can have a better and more fulfilling life. Satan uses those to set us up for failure.
Putting on the armor of God on a daily basis will cause you to have a better and more successful life.
The belt of truth protects us and prepares us for the battle that is part of our Christian journey