Fastening The Belt Of Truth - Armor of God

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:10-12, ESV)

It would be interesting to poll Christians and ask, “What’s the biggest obstacle the church faces in trying to impact society?” I’m guessing politics would score high. Whether you’re politically active or apathetic, it’s hard not to be affected by the cultural divisions and chaos that accompany election years. It seems to be the new norm.

Or is it? A recent article traced the origin of the phrase “the most important election of your lifetime” to an 1805 Pennsylvania gubernatorial contest and found similar phrasing in just about every election cycle since.^a Apparently, politics have always been a rather touchy, divisive, and for many, ultimate issue.

If we were to poll Jesus’ apostles, election cycles and politics wouldn’t show up on the list of obstacles. But it’s not because they weren’t living in a participatory democracy. Government and politics were just context for the early church. The two greatest obstacles to the church’s impact were the divisions in the church and spiritual warfare. The real obstacles were internal and spiritual. And that’s why the apostle Paul wrote what he did to the church in Ephesus.

Paul exhorted the church to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1,3). The first obstacle facing the church was division. Rather than being characterized by humility and gentleness, they were tempted toward “bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander” (Eph. 4:31). In addition to internal strife, the other great obstacle was spiritual warfare. That’s why Paul concludes the letter with a section on the armor of God. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but… against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). The battle is raging. Sitting out is not an option for God’s people. But there’s good news! God has given us the weapons we need to overcome both obstacles and make a difference. It begins with prayer. “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” (Eph. 6:18)

The way we overcome the two great obstacles of internal strife and spiritual warfare is to armor up with God’s weapons listed in Ephesians 6. They are ours in Christ! Let’s commit to pray through these weapons over the next six days (and hopefully beyond). Though simple, these prayers are profound reminders of what God has done for us, they express dependence on Him, and they commit us to do our part.

We “fasten the belt of truth” by knowing the truth of who we are in Christ, and we respond to this reality by walking in truth. Truth strengthens the church and disarms the “spiritual forces of evil.”

May this be our prayer today:
“Stand therefore, having fastened the belt of truth.” (Eph. 6:14)

Lord, help me to know the truth of my new identity in Christ, to embrace this truth, and to find comfort in this truth. In Christ, help me to speak truthfully with grace and to humbly live truthfully with love. Guard me against the lies that Satan tempts me with, the lies that others tell, and the lies I’m tempted to tell myself. Help me to discern what’s true and to joyfully walk in truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.