Sermon
delivered on April 30th, 2017
Morning Service
By: Pastor Greg Hocson
Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:10-18
Introduction
Last
Sunday's sermon was an introduction to a series of messages on the whole
armour of God. Today I want to begin looking at the armour of God - what
it is, how we apply it and what it does to protect us.
In
order to fight our spiritual battle and be able to stand and withstand the
wiles of the devil, we must take seriously God's admonition to
every child of God in ...
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and
in the power of his might. 11: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may
be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
The
admonition to us is to be strong and courageous in the Lord and be armed
with the whole armour of God. It is not enough to be strong and
courageous, we must also be properly armed. This is where the armour of God
comes in.
Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done
all, to stand.
The "evil
day" here, is the day of temptation and trial. It is the day when you are
violently assaulted by the enemy. We are commanded to stand firm in the "evil
day". What is it that will enable you and me as believers to stand firm against
the wiles of the devil and the evil day? It is the armour that God has
provided. If you are a soldier who is strong and courageous but if you enter
the battlefield wearing slack and shirt, you are not going to do much. You are
not going to stand without this armour securely placed. You cannot possibly
hope to survive the battlefield.
And
when do we put the armour of God on?
Standing
firm requires preparation. The armour of God must be put on before the
enemy attacks. It must be put on before the battle rages. In order to stand
firm the armour of God must be secure and in place before the evil day arrives.
We must have our armour always on, to be ready against the
evil day which may come at any moment, the war being perpetual.
At
the time Paul wrote this epistle, he was a prisoner in Rome. He was constantly
surrounded by Roman soldiers. And being surrounded by Roman soldiers, Paul
was well aware of their uniform and uses this to describe the
Christian's spiritual
armour. There are six pieces in this
armour and each piece is necessary if we are to live victoriously for the Lord
Jesus Christ and stand against the assaults of the devil. Paul starts with the
belt of truth. Somebody might ask, why did Paul start with belt? Why
not the breastplate or the shield or the sword? Why start with the belt? This
is not a random listing of the pieces of the armour. There is a logical order
and a proper sequence. The order Paul lists these pieces of armour here is the
exact order that a Roman soldier would have put them on in preparation for
battle. And so Paul starts with the belt of truth.
I - The Physical Belt
The
belt was a very important piece to the Roman soldier's armour. The belt
was the first piece of armour the soldier would put on. The belt of a
Roman soldier was not like the belt you may have on today, which keeps your
pants firmly in place. In ancient times the Roman soldier wore a long
flowing robe. They cover the soldier's body, shoulders to hips and sometimes
even down to the legs. It was used to keep the clothing close to the body, so
nothing would be loosed and flapping around. It secures all other
pieces of the armour in place. A soldier might
be wearing all his great weaponry, but if his loin belt was not in place, everything
would fall apart.
When
the time came for the soldier to advance into battle the first thing that he
would do would be to gather up the long flowing robe and to tuck it into his
belt. If the soldier failed to tuck his loose outer robe into his belt, he
would easily trip and fall. He would defeat himself. He would be laying on
the ground having stumbled and he would be completely open and easy target
to the enemy.
That
is the imagery Paul is saying here, having girded your loins.
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt
about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
To
gird your loins was to tuck in that outer robe such that now it was hold up in
order that he could run and not be hindered. For the soldier to gird his loins
means that he was alert to the enemy. It meant that he is free
in his movement and nothing would trip him up. He was freed up for a
decisive action. He was able to make a bold step and a strong stand.
Soldiers
wear the belt not for ornament. It is not something you can do
without for it bound the other pieces together and gave the soldier
freedom of movement.
This
is absolutely fundamental and critically essential for standing victoriously,
This is not an option. This is an absolute necessity for victory. Tucking in
the robe into the belt was the sign in his own heart that he is now
ready for the conflict, ready for action, ready for battle, ready for
combat.
So
the loin belt was the most vital part of all the weaponry the Roman soldier
wore.
II - The Spiritual Belt
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are
not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5:
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against
the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ;
So
what about the "Belt of Truth"?
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt
about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Just
as the Roman soldier's belt held things in place and kept things where
they needed to be, the belt of truth does the same for us. As a Roman
soldier would gather up his robe and tuck it into his belt so all of our
thoughts, all of our beliefs, all of our convictions, all of our viewing of the
world must be tied down to the truth.
We
prepare for spiritual war by knowing truth. What truth? God's truth as
recorded in the Scripture. Bible truth. Gospel truth. Objective truth as
revealed in the Word of God. Truth that is divine, absolute, exclusive,
unchanging, eternal, authoritative, liberating. We must gird our loins
about with truth. Gospel truth as revealed in the Scripture.
Peter
used the same imagery in ...
1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober,
and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the
revelation of Jesus Christ;
We
must our gird up the loins of our minds. The spiritual warfare is the
battle for the mind. We must protect our minds. We must fastened down our
minds with truth. Truth should surround us like a belt. To gird one's
loins with truth, means to have all your thoughts tied down to the truth - the
Word of God. This is where it starts. You cannot win the spiritual battle
without knowing the essential truths of the Christian faith. There should be no
unguarded or unprotected thoughts ...
"All loose
thinking in the Christian life that is not tied down and girded up with truth
is like going into battle with a belt made of spider webs."
A
belt made of spider webs will give way even before the battle starts.
Now, why
is it important to know truth? It is important because as you and I
face this enemy he is going to lie to us.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your
father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the
truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of
his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Satan
wages war against us by spouting lies. He lies about God. He lies about
the world, sin, and righteousness. He lies about life, eternity, and salvation.
He lies about you and me, either he will tell you are good
enough without Christ, you don't need a Saviour. You are fine. You are a
nice person. Or he will tell, you are so bad Christ cannot help you.
You are such a mess, there is nothing you can do. There is no hope.
He
obscures and bends and twists everything. The only way you can counter those
lies is by knowing the truth. This is why we need to gird our minds about
with truth. Knowing God's truth is the sure fire antidote to Satan's lies
and deception. And to be truly ready for the battle, we must know God's truth
as recorded in the Scripture.
If
the belt of truth is not in its proper place we, as believers, have no
foundation on which to base our warfare with the enemy. Understanding
Bible truth is absolutely essential and non-negotiable to have a strong stand
in this world against the devil. The truth must be fastened down in our
minds. It is the truth that leads us to victory. The truth and not your
feelings.
III - The Practical Admonitions
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt
about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
We
must gird our loins with truth. How do we do this?
1. We must know the truth
To
gird our minds with truth we must begin with solid understanding of Biblical
truth. This means that we regularly read the Word of Truth.
This means that we diligently study the Word of Truth. This
means that we faithfully and regularly sit under the teaching and preaching
of the Word of Truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Every
Christian, not just ministers, must carefully and diligently study the Bible -
the Word of Truth. This is why, here at Grace & Truth, we are
committed to Biblical teaching, to Biblical preaching.
This is why here at Grace & Truth, in addition to our regular
services, Sunday morning and afternoon services, we have Sunday School and
Mid-week Bible Study. Why? Because these are ways to gird our minds with truth.
These are ways to equip us and be able to stand in the evil days.
Victorious
Christian living begins first and foremost with knowing the truth. We must know
whom we have believed and what we believed. We must know what we believe and
why we believe!
2. We must believe the truth
If
we are going to stand firm in the evil day, we must not only know the truth, we
must also believe the truth. We must be firmly rooted and grounded in the
truth. We cannot be tossed to and fro. We must have a deep settled conviction
in the truth and deep and settled commitment to the truth.
We must be fully persuade of the truth or we will be persuaded otherwise.
Former
President Ronald Reagan stated, "Americans yearn to explore life's
deepest truths." He went on to say, "Within the
covers of that single book [the Bible] are all the answers to all the problems
that face us today, if we would only read and believe."
3. We must love the truth
As
you come to a deeper understanding of the truth you come to love the truth!
Psalm 119: 47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I
have loved. 48: My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which
I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
Psalm 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the
day.
Psalm 119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Psalm 119:119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like
dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
Psalm 119:127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea,
above fine gold.
Psalm 119:132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as
thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
Psalm 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant
loveth it.
Psalm 119:159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O
LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
Psalm 119:163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing
shall offend them.
Psalm 119:167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them
exceedingly.
Having
discovered the the truth, we embrace the truth and we love the the truth.
Truth does not bore us, it excites and inspires and motivates us.
Luke 24:31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he
vanished out of their sight. 32: And they said one to another, Did
not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while
he opened to us the scriptures?
That's
what happens when we come to a deeper understanding of truth - heart burning
within us for truth!
4. We must meditate upon the truth
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of
thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe
to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy
way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
We
must reflect upon it throughout the day. We must think upon these truths over
and over again in our minds. We must think about them throughout the day.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of
the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the
scornful. 2: But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he
meditate day and night.
A
good soldier's mind is never away from the truth. Always focused upon the
truth.
Psalm 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect
unto thy ways.
Psalm 119:23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy
servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Psalm 119:48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which
I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
Psalm 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Psalm 119:148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might
meditate in thy word.
Girding
your mind about with truth is not a superficial distant casual relationship
with the truth. It is a firm intense internal possession and passion for the
truth. Day and night, night and day, constantly thinking, meditating on the
truth.
5. We must obey the truth
We
must make a firm decision to obey the truth. We must make a decisive steps to
be one who is not just a hearer of the Word but also doer of the Word. The belt
of truth is not for decoration or ornament, it meant to be used.
Winston
Churchill once stated, "Men occasionally stumble over the
truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had
happened."
Psalm 119:8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9: Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto
according to thy word.
Psalm 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have
I laid before me.
Psalm 119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt
enlarge my heart. 33: Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall
keep it unto the end. 34: Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea,
I shall observe it with my whole heart.
This
is were it begins with being a soldier in God's army. This is where it begins
with putting on the whole armour of God. This is here it begins for us to live
a victoriously in the midst of conflict.
"The
Christian armour is made to be worn; and there is no putting off our armour
till we have done our warfare, and finished our course." Matthew Henry
Closing Thoughts
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt
about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
How
about you today? Do you have the belt of truth on today? Have you girded
your loins with truth? Are you girding your loins about with truth? Are
you endeavoring to find and know the truth? Do you love Gospel truth? Are you
wrapping your mind with truth or are you wrapping your minds with the garbage
this world?
Am I a soldier of the Cross
A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure, I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage, Lord!
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war,
Shall conquer though they die
They see the triumph from afar
By faith they bring it nigh.
When that illustrious day shall rise
And all Thy army shine
In robes of victory through the skies
The glory shall be Thine!
O
Christians, fight a good fight of faith. Glorify God by fighting a good
fight. Glorify God by putting on the whole armour of God, by standing firm
against the wiles of the devil. May God give us grace. May God gives us the
empowering and all the equipping that we all need to put on the belt of truth
and to gird our loins with truth.
To
those who have not believed the Gospel truth, I beseech you, come to Jesus
Christ, Who is the Truth.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the
life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus
Christ is the truth and there is no other way to the Father but by Him. Turn
from your sin and turn to Christ.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon
him while he is near:
Seek
the Lord and call upon Him while He is near and He will save you and He will
save forever.
AMEN!