“Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”
This very practical text invites us to see part of God’s gift and provision during spiritual warfare.
BATTLE ARMOR
We have protection, a weapon, and marching orders. The common theme through these verses is the word “STAND.” Paul uses it 3 times. “Take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,” “having done all, to stand firm,” and “Stand therefore!” We stand firm by putting on the battle armor of verse 14: the belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness.
THE BELT OF TRUTH
A belt holds our clothing in place. It holds things together. A belt would have been essential for a warrior during Roman times because a belt cinched a soldier’s clothing tightly in place so it would not impede their ability to charge into battle and fight.
The belt of truth is absolutely essential in spiritual warfare. The way you stand firm in the battle against a liar is to know the truth. John 8:31-32 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, in you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Knowing the truth of God’s Word is not just about gaining knowledge. It is not just about being prepared for the attacks of the enemy, the father of lies. Knowing the truth of God’s Word is about your freedom! Standing on the truth is what frees you up to resist the lies of the enemy and stand firm amid the battle.
God wants us to live in freedom, not shame or lies. He knows the only way to be truly free is to know the truth of His Word. It holds everything together. Put on the belt of truth!
THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
This is a great word picture. The breastplate for a soldier protected his chest and vital organs. What protects our heart and gives us the strength to stand firm in the face of the enemy’s assault?
Righteousness – right standing before God. How do we stand righteous in the sight of God?
This is the good news of the gospel. This is the assurance of our salvation. This is the work of Jesus Christ. He is our righteousness. You and I can never be called righteous in the sight of a Holy God based on our religious performance or our moral effort. The only way we can be called righteous, the only way we can wear the breastplate of righteousness, is we have the righteousness of Jesus Christ that can only be given to us by faith in his finished work at the cross. It is not about what we attempt to do that makes us righteous. It is about what Christ has already done!
As long as you are trying to earn your righteousness you will not be able to stand firm.
As long as you try to perform your way to “good enough,” you will not withstand the enemy’s attack because he knows you cannot be righteous alone. You will constantly feel defeated. You will constantly feel guilty. You will continually live in hiding to cover up unrighteousness in your life. That is not freedom. That is bondage; the enemy will prey on it all day!
But when you trust that Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone is your righteousness and when you trust His work is truly sufficient to set you right in the sight of God, you will be free and emboldened in the provision of his righteousness for you.
Put on the breastplate of righteousness of God that is yours in Christ, and stand firm!
(Stand by for THE ARMOR OF GOD PART TWO tomorrow!)
Taken from a sermon by George Wright, Senior Pastor, Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL
DIG DEEPER
Read “Spiritual Warfare Scripture” by the RFTH Team
