God’s Armour (Ephesians 6:10-20)
Satan operates as the unrivaled master of disguise (2Co 11:13– 15). He makes the bad appear good. He decorates sinful behavior to look righteous. His lies sometimes sound attractive and better than truth. Satan preaches perversion that makes wrong to sound right and right to sound wrong. He remains the messenger of darkness while masquerading as an angel of light. He falsely gives a polished appearance of authenticity to all that is spiritually counterfeit.
The Devil offers worldly things that give people instant pleasure. He camouflages his lies to be so appealing to people that they want to reject God’s truth. He elevates thoughts of self to such a height that people then worship the creature rather than God the Creator (Rom 1:25).
Satan mimics and imitates the holy things of God, while all along, his cheap substitutes continue as the abominable lies of the prince of darkness. Preachers during the Reformation period called Satan “God’s ape,” who mimicked God by disguising the false to appear genuine, thus luring sinners to himself and away from God.
Who we are on the inside determines who we are on the outside. Satan attempts to corrupt our minds so he can corrupt our lives. Satan’s chief activity in the lives of Christians is to cause them to think contrary to God’s Word and thus act disobediently to God’s will.
Read Ephesians 4:17-25 The Christian walk of truth
Since Satan’s primary place of attack is in the mind and heart, it makes sense that the information of the mind and heart be strengthened and protected by truth.
Truth – the 1st piece of armour (1st in order and 1st in priority)
Eph. 6:14a Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…
First century dress comprised of a loose-fitting outer garment. Whenever action was required, a person would gather up the garment and tuck it into the leather belt. This allowed full and unhindered movement. All the other pieces of armour grow out of and are dependent upon this one. Truth is not only the believer’s foundation, but truth holds together our entire armour of belief and expression of faith.
Truth was the means of salvation:
Eph. 1:13 …you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation…
Truth is the means of maturity:
Eph. 4:15 …speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
What is truth?
In the Greek language of Ephesians, the word is alētheia. It literally means not hidden, unconcealed, actual, accurate, true to fact, real, ideal, genuine. Truth can refer to both the accuracy and quality of the facts presented as well as the attitude of truthfulness.
The contrast:
John 14:6 Jesus said… “I am the way, and the truth, and the life…
Jesus praying to His Father said, your word is truth (John 17:17).
Jesus does not simply possess truth, He IS truth.
Likewise, God’s Word (the Bible), is truth. God has not given us a book with lots of different ideas for us to choose from. He gives us absolute, dependable, truth.
John 8:44 To a group of would-be Jewish believers (Jn 8:31-33), Jesus said, you are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Truth is challenged in the believer by many things…
A lack of Bible knowledge – either wilfully or through being deprived of Bible teaching.
Not understanding the knowledge that they do have – either wilfully or because they have not had Scripture explained well.
Lack of application of the knowledge they have – either wilfully or unconsciously.
Truth develops dependency upon Jesus Christ as our Truth and His written Word as the vehicle which carries His truth to us. The Holy Spirit uses Christ’s truth to convict us.
Truth enables growth, maturity, and service for the Lord.
Truth sanctifies, protects, guards, and preserves the believer during spiritual attacks, both the subtle and the confrontational attacks.
Ephesians 4:20-24 Practical implementation of truth – both positive and negative.
But that is not the way you learned Christ! 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Every believer experiences the same challenge. To remain without a growing knowledge of God, or, to regularly take in God’s truth through the Bible and have the way they think changed. Ongoing inner change is the life-long ministry of the Holy Spirit in us. We all… beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Every Christian should recognise and welcome this work of God’s Spirit. This is the only way believers grow to be more like Christ. Truth was essential for our salvation and truth is equally essential for our sanctification. Without first putting on the belt of truth the child of God will not grow, no matter how many other disciplines they bring into their lives – truth is piece of armour that is 1st in order and 1st in priority.
Questions:
What are some of the different sources of God’s truth?
What are some of the different ways we can “fasten” truth on?
In what ways can we ensure truth remains “fastened” to us?
