The Tactics of the Enemy, Reflections on Studying the Armor of God, Week 2: The Belt of Truth

I don’t know what it is about studying the Armor of God, but it is powerful. 

So much of what we’re studying is relevant to the world today in 2021, it amazes me that Priscilla Shirer wrote this in 2015. 

This week we learned about the Belt of Truth which is basically the piece of armor that hangs around a soldier’s waist and holds all the other pieces of armor in place. It’s a very important piece. It’s the core. Ironically it’s like our core. If our core isn’t strong, the rest of our body doesn’t work as well. This belt of truth is the core of our spiritual armor. If we don’t have it, we aren’t going to do well in spiritual battle. I think we’re living in a world that is full of spiritual warfare. If you aren’t seeing it, you aren’t reading your Bible enough. 

There were a couple things she talked about that really struck me. 

1. ”Generally speaking, our society isn’t one that takes a strong, firm stance on truth…Many people who call themselves Christians today don’t have a strong core belief system to govern their lives. They don’t frame their decisions around the truth of God’s Word, aren’t stable and sturdy in their convictions, are too easily injured and wounded by others. and buckle under pressure rather than sanding tough and persevering.” (p.42) How true is this?! People aren’t studying the Word for themselves so they have no reason to frame their decisions around the truth which makes them more vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy! We are all vulnerable. But when you aren’t buckled with the belt of truth, you are even more. 
2. “Truth — which we could basically define as God’s opinion on any matter — is our standard…God’s truth. Biblical truth. Without concrete allegiance to and affirmation with this truth — with the real truth — you’re left weak and susceptible to things that may look right and sound right yet actually aren’t right.” (p.44) It’s amazing to me how much of this is in the world today. Because people are not grounded in truth, they are run by their feelings or their “gut.” Our “gut” can’t be coming before the truth of God!
3.  ”Just because you read the Bible doesn’t mean you’ve chosen it as your standard for living — any more than a person with a gym membership is necessarily committed to using the equipment in the gym. The real test comes when the ideal and philosophies of our culture swing the opposite direction, and yet we choose to stand strong and firm on the unchanging standard of our God. The time has come for us to be women girded in truth.” AMEN. It sure has!! You can’t just read a verse on your Instagram feed. You’ve got to get into it and arm yourself with it!

She goes on to talk about how the belt of truth allowed the soldiers to be able to go into battle hands-free. It was something they could hang their other battle gear on. It gave them freedom of movement. There were a couple powerful points on this I just want to make a note of on p. 55.

1. “Often when God wants to move you forward to the next level with Him, He may require you to ’tuck in your tunic’ — to restrict certain things within the boundaries set by His truth. When you willingly submit, true freedom awaits you.” What is that thing you need to tuck into your tunic? Where do you need to set boundaries in your life so you can be free to fight your spiritual battles? I know without a doubt it was the food for me that God spoke so specifically about at the beginning of the pandemic. If I continued to eat the way I was eating with sugar and flour in my diet, I wasn’t going to be able to be armed for spiritual battle. (I’m writing a guide about this and publishing it by January 2022.) I just knew he wanted to take me to the next level and it wasn’t going to happen if I was doing what I “felt” like. That’s why the first verse He gave me at this time was so poignant: “I have the right to do anything,” you say — but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” — but not everything is constructive.” (1 Corinthians 10:23). Oh sure I have the right to eat whatever I want, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for me! I believe the Lord strengthened my armor in carrying me through this. Is there something in your life you can relate to like this?
2. “Without truth — without an absolute, nonnegotiable standard — there’s no real liberty.” That is the state of our nation today. So many people don’t have or no the truth that the enemy is running wild. Thankfully if we have our belt of truth, we know who wins. 
3. “Here’s an example: If you live in America, you possess certain inalienable rights that are yours merely by virtue of your citizenship. But just because this nation is ‘free’ does not mean you’re free to do whatever you want!” Touche, because that seems to be exactly what so many in our nation are doing, including our leaders – whatever they “feel” like! The absolute opposite of the truth of God’s Word! Here’s what I also find really funny about this is so many people against believers today like to link American freedom with freedom In Christ, like we think they are the same thing. We worship Christ above ALL. The country was FOUNDED on principles that give us freedom in our nation. But our ultimate freedom? Comes from Christ. We don’t worship the flag, or a President. We worship our God. Period.
4. I love this — (p. 58). “Our deceiver operates in the darkness. And he hopes we will, too. As long as we’re stumbling around shrouded in darkness — not really sure what’s true and what’s not — we’ll never be able to see him for who he really is and detect the underlying intentions of his plans. What we need is a spotlight that pierces the darkness all the evil schemes, systems, and illusions. The truth of God’s Word is that light!” AMEN!!

Doesn’t that just make you want to say WAKE UP AMERICA!!!? It seems there are a lot of people today stumbling around in the darkness not really knowing how this will affect them for eternity. That’s why WE have to be that spotlight. WE have to point the enemy out when he’s lying because the are too many people trying to hide the truth!!

Father God, I Pray for all believers Lord, that you would remind us to remain grounded in the belt of truth. Keep our eyes set on you instead of the ways the enemy is spewing his lies and using people across the world to distract us from you. Let us not waiver in our faith. Let us not be shaken by what is going on. Let us be courageous enough to shine your light in the dark world. Let us not hide our light but remember and remind others that their freedom lies not in the world, or the nation, but in CHRIST.

Such a good study! See you next week.