Truth is the first piece of the Whole Armor of God listed by Paul in Ephesians 6:14. Paul uses the word picture to “gird your loins” to visualize the role of truth in our walk with Christ. But what does “gird your loins” mean?
The simplest definition of “gird your loins” is to prepare for battle. Most modern English versions call this the “belt of truth.” But a more apt modern word picture would be rolling up the cuffs of a long-sleeve shirt before a fistfight or engaging in physical labor. Truth helps us separate what is important from what is just a bunch of loose fabric.
Today, truth is under attack. In many circles, truth has become highly relative and personal. Truth is often not seen as “the truth” but as “my truth” or “your truth.” This relativistic view makes the solid footing of truth a squishy bog where it is difficult to stand or count on anything.
For the sake of clarity. Some truths are relative and personal, but some are solid ground that never changes. Christ-followers have discovered and hold on to Jesus, who is the truth. “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, NLT)
How we view life and our world is determined by the truths we hold dear. Those truths help us discern right from wrong. They enable us to see past the clutter so we may understand what is essential. The truth of Christ enables us to see others with authentic compassion that recognizes both their challenges and their value. Most of all, the truth of Christ helps us to authentically see and understand our own challenges and value.
There is, however, a temptation that comes with truth – the temptation to judge others because of that truth. This bent towards judgment is a human trait shared by all. That particular truth is verified in the flames of social media. But Christ’s truth teaches us a different lesson on living authentically. Jesus taught, “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3–5, NLT)
When Paul wrote this section of Ephesians, he didn’t connect truth to the sword or a piece of hardened leather or metal. Instead, we see in Paul’s words that truth is more of an action than a singular article. Truth is neither a piece of armor nor a weapon, but it is the most important thing to any soldier – the reason to engage in battle. Which illuminates a question – why do we fight this battle of faith? Why do you fight this battle of faith?
I can’t answer that question for you. For me, the answer is found in a simple concrete truth learned long ago. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16–17, NLT)
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