For several weeks we have been studying the letter to the Ephesians, and last week we began looking at the very end of the letter which addresses spiritual warfare. For the next several weeks we will be studying spiritual warfare and especially the armor of God. Today we are examining the Belt of Truth. The Christian is to stand against the devil and against his temptations, deceptions, and lies. Satan takes that which is unwise and unsafe and makes it seem to us as though it is desirable. In order to face his lies, we need to embrace the truth of God. The thick leather belt for the first century Roman soldier tied everything together. It gave strength and support to his torso. Upon it he would hang his sword and other equipment. In the same way, truth braces and supports us. We are always in spiritual warfare, and we can only stand in God's strength. Like any war, the fighting may be more intense at some times than at others, but the fight is still ongoing, and it will be until Christ returns or we go to be with him. We fight against the fallen world around us, our own fallen natures (or the sin within us), and the spiritual forces that seek to deceive us. Our dependence on and relation to the truth of God will determine how effective we are at standing in God's strength. - Pastor David Packer
