Sunday Worship 11.00 am and 6.30 pm Minister: Dr William (Bill) J M Parker
9. The Belt of Truth – Ephesians 6:13-14a and 2 Timothy 1:12 - 11/03 18 (am)
Spiritual Warfare
Sermon Date: 18/03/18 (am)
The Belt of Truth – Ephesians 6:13-14a & 2 Timothy 1:12
Main Teaching Point:
Stand firm having put on the Belt of Truth.
The first piece of armour that the Christian is to put on is the Belt of Truth.
The Belt as used by the Roman Foot Soldier
The Apostle Paul had in mind a Roman Soldier when writing this part of his Epistle. If we understand the function of each piece of armour on the soldier it will help us understand the function of each piece of God’s armour on the Christian.
The belt was not a fashion accessory! Entering battle in a loose tunic could hamper free movement of limbs, deny immediate access to weapons, snag on surrounding objects. For battle the soldier gathered in his tunic and held it securely in place with a leather belt.
The Christian’s Belt of Truth
In spiritual warfare the Christian’s foundational piece of armour is the Belt of Truth. In wearing it (s)he is foundationally equipped to engage in battle. What truth is so foundational?
- Some argue it is not God’s Word. The sword of the Spirit is the Word (6:17b). So, the belt must be … Personal Integrity. But the belt is given to the Christian by God. Personal integrity, even though it should develop in the Christian through sanctification, does not fit this description.
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ. This view is commended. The Christian knows what and Who (s)he believes, understands who (s)he is in Christ, has a good grasp of the implications of being in Christ. This is not the same thing as the Sword of the Spirit. Jesus taking up specific truths from God’s Word to rebuke specific attacks from the devil is using the Sword of the Spirit (Matt 4:1-11). The Apostle Paul understanding who he was in Christ and all that that implied for this life and the next, is wearing the belt of truth (2 Timothy 1:12).
Putting on [the Belt of] Truth
A Christian puts on the Belt when (s)he understands what and Who (s)he believes and the implications of being in Christ, then allows all of this to govern all of life/living. This comes from studying and applying what God’s Word says about these things. It is grasping the big, foundational, essentials of the faith.
Catechisms, creeds, confessions define/articulate truth well. They have been drawn up to teach truth and defend truth against attack – New City Catechism, Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, Heidelberg Catechism, Apostles’ Creed, etc.
Results of Wearing the Belt of Truth
- A Christian wearing the Belt of Truth enters spiritual warfare secure in his/her position with immovable confidence in his/her Commanding Officer, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:14). When the devil attacks with heresy, confusing claims, or error, a Christian wearing the Belt of Truth can refute them.
- Expert handling of other pieces of armour, to a degree, is dependent on foundational knowledge of the truth!
Conclusion – Always wearing the Armour
Are you wearing the Belt? Do you know the doctrines? Do you have a good grasp of: Who Jesus is; what Jesus did and will do; who you are in Christ; what is in store for you in Christ? Or do you know more about local history, the Premiership, the pop scene, natural history, military history? Put on the Belt of Truth. It is foundational for entering battle and for effective use of other pieces of armour (Ephesians 6:14a).
© Dr Bill Parker, 2018