A New Wardrobe Part 1 - Belt of Truth

(You'll find the intro to this lesson below. Please read it if you haven't already!)

 So you're ready to put on the full armor of God, complete with Christ's power, and stand? 

 Great. Let's start looking at your battle gear.

 The first thing listed is found in Ephesians 6:14, "with truth like a belt around your waist," (HCSB). The NIV words it like this: "the belt of truth buckled around your waist."

 If someone had asked me to make a list of battle gear for first-century Rome, I doubt that a belt would be the first thing I'd list. I didn't even know you needed a belt for war. So I started digging and found that a belt was a necessary part of any kind of wardrobe at that time because it held up pants. (And by "pants" I mean both A) the lightweight, linen, hang-down-to-your-knees under layer that was like Jesus-era boxers that men wore for hard labor as well as B) the heavier, external pants you'd wear in public.)

 A belt held it all up. You couldn't walk without it, so you sure couldn't run, swing a sword, or ride a horse without your belt. In fact, when men needed extra maneuverability, they would tuck their cloak (outer garment, like a robe) into their belt. You'll find it in Exodus 12:11, where Moses is preparing the Israelites to eat their first Passover as they prepared to walk out of slavery in Egypt: they were to have their cloak tucked into their belt. In 1 Kings 18:46, Elijah tucked his cloak into his belt and outran King Ahab's chariot. 

 Your belt kept you ready. It allowed you to have your hands free. 

 So the first piece of gear we are to put on is the belt of truth. What truth?

 All of it. Every single tidbit of truth that is given to us by Christ Jesus through His Word (John 1:17) and made evident through His Spirit. Basically, we must know Christ according to what the Bible says and believe it by living our lives according to it. In John 8 Jesus says, "If you continue in my word, you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free," (verses 31-32). 

 So we start with the belt of truth. We are in the Word, digging deeply and absorbing its truth. We use it as the first line of battle, knowing that by it we are more ready for the tactics of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). 

 Start your day in God's Word and live the truth you learn. It's necessary gear for war!

 More tomorrow!

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