active truth...

We are commanded...

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11 ESV

Putting on armor... requires action... effort... and as the current treadmill read reminded... God calls us to active duty... when it comes to our defense against the darkness...

So we begin exploring the concept of actively maintaining each piece of armor... in order to increase its efficacy...

The first piece of armor listed... the belt of truth...

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth...

Ephesians 6:14 ESV

belt... the word itself conjures up a mental image... the definition affirms... a strip of flexible material worn especially around the waist...

A belt surrounds your body... at a central location...

For historical significance... we need to look back... to the time of Ephesians... when those reading knew exactly what Paul was referring to... the armor of a Roman soldier...

Ancient warriors, like other people of the time, wore loose-fitting clothing. When approaching some task, athletic event or battle, they needed to gather this clothing together to permit freer movement.

--- The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Ephesians

The belt of truth... permits freer movement... (sound familiar)...

...Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, 

you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, 

and the truth will set you free."

John 8:31-32  

How do we know truth...?

By holding to the teaching of Jesus... the Word...

Jesus came as... the Word made flesh... full of grace and truth...

His Word... is truth... and by definition... there can only be one truth... anything that contradicts truth... is a lie... error... falsehood...

Jesus asked Father God... to sanctify Believers by the truth...

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

John 17:17

Sanctification... the process of setting apart for a sacred purpose... to free from sin: purify...

Knowing... understanding... exercising... truth... prepares us for His purpose... frees us from sin... and we find ourselves... less likely to fall...

In addition to the Word... Jesus sent us a Counselor... the Spirit of truth... 

But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, 

he will guide you into all truth.

John 16:13

Prayerfully reading Scripture... the Word of truth... by the power of the Spirit of truth... is the primary way for us to increase the efficacy of the belt of truth...

As we learn the truth... discern truth... we need to hold to it... practice it... exercise it... make it central to our lives... surrounding ourselves... with truth...

The war is spiritual... and we are called to test the spirits... that influence our lives... 

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1John 4:1

How can we test the spirits... apart from truth...?

We need to know... the Word of Truth... as interpreted... by the Spirit of Truth...

Increase the weight of your belt of truth... the first and most important piece of armor... don't just pray it on... secure it... with increased knowledge... understanding... and practice...

Truth keeps us from getting tripped up... and helps us stay upright... able to prevent... the next fall...

Read Scripture...

Know the Word...

Open yourself to the counsel of the Spirit of Truth...

Hold to the Truth... keep it central to your life...

Do not be passive... about truth... activate it in your life...