The Greatest GiftsSample

THE GIFT OF WEAPONRY, THE BELT OF TRUTH

Parents can pass many great kernels of wisdom to their children. One of my favorites and one that has become a favorite of my now adult children: “A half-truth is a whole lie.” Children must learn to tell the truth, right? Truth is at the core of the judicial system. Think about the vow someone takes when testifying in a court of law. They agree to “tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”

So, how significant is it then that the very first piece of weaponry, of armor, Paul writes about in Ephesians, Chapter 6 is the encouragement to put on the belt of truth? The truth is the leading weapon used to defeat the enemy!

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.” (Ephesians 6:14, NIV).

Circle yourself with the truth. Don’t mess with the half-truths of the world. Don’t buy the lies of Hollywood, Madison Avenue, or the latest trend on social media. A good start to defeating the enemy is not fooling around with the father of lies!

I’m reminded of another piece of advice from Paul.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8, NIV).

What’s special about a belt besides holding your pants up? It wraps fully around you, near your body’s center of gravity. It is the physical mid-point of who you are. If you could balance your body on a pin, it would be right where your belly button is. So, Paul essentially says, let your life be balanced with the truth. Let it be your spiritual center, too. Surround yourself with voices of truth and people who will speak truth into your life. Let every part of you be enveloped with the truth.

The truth is “weapon number one” to defeat the enemy's attacks. When you may be confused or unsure, get the facts. Get to the truth. Who is the truth? Jesus is the truth.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6, NIV).

So when anyone digging deeper into faith says they seek the truth, they seek Jesus! It is in Jesus that we find true freedom.

The Bible is full of many truths about who you are. Open your Bible, open your eyes, open your hands and receive the gift of truth this Advent.

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for the gift of truth. May I circle every area of my life with it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.