The Whole Armour of God, Our Belt of Truth Part I

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” Ephesians 6:14

In the times of the Roman Empire, centurions  wore armor, which consisted of a belt and breastplate. The belt or girdle, which was worn around the waist, was the first item put on when the centurion was summoned for duty. Otherwise, during times of leisure, they wore a tunic, which was made of linen, under a toga. A toga was a loosely fitted and flowing garment, usually made of wool. You can imagine that you would need to tighten the toga firmly around the waist with a belt, rather than allow it to remain loose and flowing when you are in hand-to-hand combat with an enemy. You might ask how the Apostle Paul knew this, and I would answer you by saying that he was both a Roman citizen (Acts 22:27), and chained (2 Timothy 2:9). I’m sure too that Paul studied closely his Roman capturers and their armor. Although I must say the Romans weren’t really Paul’s capturers: Christ Jesus was his capturer (Ephesians 4:8).

Notice too that the belt that Christians are called to wear is a girdle of truth. Truth, as mentioned by Paul in this context, involves the ‘whole counsel of God, as it was revealed to Paul (Acts 20:27), and is to be studied (2 Timothy 3:16).’ Unfortunately, many Christians wear belts too thin to fasten the breastplate firmly. This happens when they study only specific areas where we have interest; such as eschatology (study of end times), the Holy Spirit (gifts and healing), salvation (means and requirements), and doctrine (possession of knowledge alone). To study the whole counsel of God affects the heart, soul, mind and will; wherein God works in us both to will and to do His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

In other cases, we wear the belt loosely or take it off entirely, which happens when we intend to ‘dine out’ and not at the banquet of the Lamb; that is, we intend to satisfy the lust of our flesh and to fill our bellies with sin. Please don’t. We cannot afford to loosen or take this belt off because we must, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 Our belts of truth must be firmly tightened around our waists for that is where our breastplate is attached at its base.

As for the breastplate, it too must be securely fastened to the belt. To go into battle with the breastplate loose; moving from side to side, it is likely that your heart or lungs would be pierced and your soul quickly dispatched. Unfortunately there are many people who wear their own breastplates fashioned from their own beliefs. Some wear breastplates based upon their feelings. On one day, they feel close to God; the next, far away. Sadly, the Devil makes quick work of those so inadequately prepared for battle. The Devil will introduce depression or an unhappy event that will cause us to become anxious, doubtful and ultimately the person’s faith will falter.

Others wear a breastplate made up of their ‘good works.’ They will do so by comparing what how they live to others and their relative sinlessness to the ‘real sinners.’ “Oh, I am certain that I will not go to hell, but that murderer will!” This, they proudly proclaim as they wear their hay and stubble breastplate of self-righteousness; believing they will stand in the presence of God forever because of it. Many of those wearing such a device are not Christians at all. As a result, the Devil will leave them alone in peace (Luke 11:21) because they will not repent of their trivial and harmless sins. Nonetheless, they live their lives not understanding what is written: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23) God’s perfection demands absolute perfection, which goes beyond what we may be known or discovered done in public. Sin first is a matter of what lies in our heart; as taken in through our wandering eyes: “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”  Matthew 5:28.

Others wear a breastplate that represents their confidence in their knowledge of the Scriptures. They believe their knowledge alone will protect them, but in the time of conflict they are powerless; some even having denied the power (2 Tim. 3:5). However, if they embraced the whole counsel of God, they’d know that the righteousness spoken of here is manifest in our loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and might. Inasmuch that God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts, who among man could ever attain such knowledge? Even so, what good would it do when the heart above all is most sinful and it is with the heart, not the mind, that we truly believe? “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom. 10:10)

Tomorrow, I will attempt to explain the righteousness spoken of by the Apostle Paul; that is, a breastplate based on justification by faith alone; nothing more and nothing less.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13