Truly Secure

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth . . .”—Ephesians 6:14 (NKJV)

While the apostle Paul was imprisoned in Rome for proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, he was inspired by God’s Spirit to compose a letter to the church in Ephesus. This epistle follows a basic two-part structure beginning with what God has done for believers in Christ and then transitioning to what they should now do in response to Him.

As this second half of Ephesians comes to a close, Paul paints a powerful picture of the spiritual conflict that exists in the Christian life. Likely drawing inspiration from the Roman soldiers guarding him, he describes the believer in Christ as a soldier engaged in a spiritual battle against Satan and his forces. This soldier is equipped with various articles of armor representing different aspects of the Christian life and the first one listed is a belt representing truth.

In that time and culture, soldiers would typically be dressed in a loose-fitting, robe-like garment. This was comfortable for ordinary activities, but it wouldn’t be helpful in combat. A soldier wouldn’t want a lot of loose-flowing material to inhibit his movements, so a belt was used to gather in and cinch up his garment. This gave him a “tight” profile that allowed him to be agile against his adversary. It also became a way to secure the armor that he would layer onto his body.

A belt may not sound very militaristic, but it was actually quite essential to the soldier’s ability to fight and survive. It kept everything secure and in its proper place. The soldier’s belt may not have even been very noticeable in the heat of combat, but if it failed, the consequences would be undeniable.

How fitting that Paul would compare this belt to truth, because truth is what essentially holds everything together for us as we enter into spiritual conflict. By “truth,” we are referring to the realities that God has established concerning our faith and salvation in Him. Just as a belt keeps things tight when they need to be, the fixed truths of God keep us secure when our adversary tries to unravel us. 

Believers in Christ know truth as an ally, not an enemy. Having aligned their lives with God’s agenda, they can rest in His realities, which direct and govern His purposes to their completion. The Christian is secured by nothing less than this, and as a result is able to not only fight but overcome the adversary. 

DIG: Why did Paul compare a soldier’s belt to truth in the Christian’s life?

DISCOVER: What does the truth basically do for the believer in Christ?

DO: Consider ways you can leverage the truth more in your daily walk as a Christian.