The Belt of Truth
6: 14a
The belt of truth DIG: How was the belt of the Roman soldier and the belt of the High Priest similar? Dissimilar? What happens when the mind is renewed to God’s truth?
REFLECT: How does the belt of truth help you stand against the Devil’s schemes? From being carried about every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, and by craftiness?
Buckled with the belt of truth means being renewed in the mind,
in order to prove that the will of God is good and acceptable and perfect.
The Roman soldier always wore a tunic, an outer garment that served as his primary clothing. It was usually made of a large, square piece of material with holes cut out for the head and arms. Ordinarily it draped loosely over most of the soldier’s body. Since the greatest part of ancient combat was hand-to-hand, a loose tunic was a potential hindrance and even a danger. Before a battle it was therefore carefully cinched up and tucked into the heavy leather belt that went around the soldier’s waist.
Stand firm then, have the belt of truth (Greek: aletheia) buckled around your waist (Ephesians 6:14a). The belt that went around the soldier’s waist and demonstrates the believer’s readiness for spiritual warfare is truth. The content of God’s truth is absolutely essential for the believer in his battle against the schemes of Satan. Without knowledge of biblical teaching, he is, as the apostle has already pointed out, subject to being carried away by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming (4:14). In his first letter to Timothy, Sha’ul warns that the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons (First Timothy 4:1). The doctrines of demons taught by cults and false religions have their origin in the deceitful spirits that in Ephesus, Paul calls rulers . . . powers . . . world forces of his darkness . . . and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (6:12). These false schemes of the Adversary can be successfully encountered only with the truth of the Word of God (see the commentary on The Life of Christ, to see link click Bj – Jesus is Tempted in the Wilderness).
Buckled with the belt of truth means being renewed in the mind in order to prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. When the mind is renewed in commitment to God’s truth, there is empowerment for the believer to become a living and holy sacrifice that pleases YHVH and is his or her spiritual service of worship (Romans 12:1-2). In many ways it is more difficult and more demanding to be a living sacrifice than a dying one. To be burned at the stake for one’s faith would be painful, but it would soon be over. To live a lifetime of faithful obedience can also be painful at times, and its demands go on and on. It requires staying power that only continual and total commitment to the Lord can provide. It demands that love abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that [we] may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Messiah; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Yeshua, to the glory and praise of God (Phil 1:9-11). Love, knowledge, and understanding of God all need to grow in us. And when those grow, so does our commitment to the Lord for excellence in all things – the ultimate goal of which is the glory and praise of God.256
Just as a belt would be essential equipment for a Roman soldier, it was just as important for the Jewish High Priest. The soldier would need a belt to make sure his clothing would not be a hindrance in battle. The bible often uses the common expression to gird your loins, which meant to tie up the loose clothing so you would have unhindered work. Such a belt would also be required for the intense work of the High Priest as well (Exodus 28:39). The belt was practical, but it also symbolized the spiritual calling of the Levite – to work for the heavenly Kingdom. As his proof text, Rabbi Sha’ul quotes a passage about the belt of truth worn by the Messiah, when He comes to rule Isra’el: Justice will be the belt around His waist, and faithfulness the sash around His hips (Isaiah 11:5). We, as the followers of Messiah, must have truth as our belt if our spiritual warfare is to go unhindered.257
Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You for being totally trustworthy! To choose to follow You is the wisest decision anyone can ever make, for loving and following You is the only way to get to heaven. Yeshua said to him: I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6). In a world where there are so many voices, each claiming to be the way to heaven, it is such a comfort that You are the way and the truth!
Past historical events, proves You, our Almighty God, is beyond any doubt the one and only God! No other supposed “god” has power to heal. Messiah Yeshua, being God, had power to create wellness. He healed all kinds of various illnesses. Some of Messiah Yeshua’s mighty and miraculous healings were: lepers cleansed (Matthew 8:2-3, Luke 17:12-19), paralyzed made well (Matthew 8: 5-13), deaf and dumb healed (Mark 7:31-37), blind healed (John 9, Luke 18:35-43, Mark 9:22-26). Only God has power to forgive sins and that is exactly what Messiah did when He saw the man’s faith (Mark 2:1-12). Only God can heal from a long distance away (John 4:46-54). Only God has power to cast out Satan’s demons (Matthew 8:28-34, 15:21-28).
Now by indwelling those who love and follow you as their God you prove You are God. You are ADONAI Jireh – the one true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has promised to place His Ruach Ha’Kodesh within believers and to dwell within them to help, guide and to protect them. Yeshua answered and said to him: If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him (John 14:23).
Future life in heaven is secured because of God’s gracious gift of Messiah Yeshua’s righteousness given to those who love Him. He made the One who knew no sin to become a sin offering on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (Second Corinthians 5:21). The gift of salvation and eternal life in heaven is a spectacular gift that God is willing to give to all who are willing to receive it (Romans 5:17) by their having faith in God (Ephesians 2:8-9) and a heart of repentance (Second Peter 3:9).
Thank you for being a God of Truth who can be totally trusted, loved and followed. What a joy and privilege that by Messiah’s blood (Ephesians 1:7) you have redeemed both (Galatians 1:28) Jews (Ephesians 1:12) and Gentiles (Ephesians 1:13). How wonderful that You have promised to make those who love You Your children (John 1:12). Even though we may be persecuted for serving You, Your children know for sure that Your Word is True and someday soon all trials and problems will be over (Romans 8:18) and an eternal life of peace and joy in heaven awaits those who love You! In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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