I don’t know about you, but I almost always wear a belt. Even when I wear a dress or a skirt, I often find myself opening the drawer my belts are in and reaching for one before remembering I don’t have to put it on. Belts are a key piece of my wardrobe, and I feel weird without one. There’s one type of belt that every Christian should wear, no matter their wardrobe. It’s the belt of truth and a key piece of our spiritual armor.
The belt of truth is only mentioned in one place in the New Testament. We read about it in Ephesians 6:14 (ESV), “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth.” This passage of Scripture is part of a letter written by Paul. After reminding the church that our battle doesn’t take place against flesh and blood but in the spiritual realm, he encourages readers to take up the armor God has given us.
To help us understand the belt of truth, let’s look at the full armor of God. We find the description of our battle and the armor given to us in Ephesians 6:13-18:
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, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
The Apostle Paul most likely wrote Ephesians while he was under house arrest in Rome. It is commonly believed that Paul took inspiration from the clothing and armor he saw his guard wearing each day as he wrote this letter. Because of this, it’s important to know what Paul was looking at each day.
The belt was a crucial piece of clothing for a Roman soldier. Military tunics were long, and they would hang like a dress without a belt. In his book, The Complete Roman Army, Adrian Goldsworthy writes, “Augustus was known to have symbolically punished centurions by making them stand at attention outside his tent without wearing their belts.” It was humiliating for a soldier to be seen without their belt.
Goldsworthy further explains that the soldier’s sword (and sometimes his dagger) were suspended by his belt. Often the simple leather belt was covered with ornate plates and buckles. An apron consisting of one to nine straps was typically attached as well. The straps hung down from the belt in the front and were often decorated with metal studs that would jingle with movement. I bet when citizens heard that jingle, they would react like we do when we hear the siren of a police car!
Clearly, a Roman soldier’s belt was not only functional but also decorative. Goldsworthy again highlights the importance of the belt when he writes that it was “an important symbol of his identity. Even in undress uniform, without armour or helmet, the belted tunic marked a man out as a soldier.”
Additionally, if the soldier wore mail or scale armor, the belt would have helped bear the weight of that armor. The belt was a status symbol that set the soldier apart and would have been worn even when the soldier wasn’t on duty.
The belt directly connects to two other pieces of the armor of God. As we learned above, the belt sometimes helped bear the weight of the armor that covered the soldier’s torso, the breastplate. The belt also helped secure the sword. So how does that relate to the spiritual armor? It all comes down to truth.
In Isaiah 59:12-17, we find a passage that looks forward in time to the spiritual reign of Christ. What I find interesting is the connection to sin, the armor of God, and truth. Read with me and take note of the parts I placed in bold:
For our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities: transgressing, and denying the LORD, and turning back from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart lying words. Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
Without truth, there is no righteousness. Without truth, sin reigns. Without truth, there is no justice. Without truth, there is no salvation. Jesus said clearly in John 14:6 that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Only through Him that we can come to the Father. Only through Him can we be saved from our sins and an eternity apart from God. Like the Roman soldier’s belt, our belt of truth sets us apart. It identifies us as children of God and followers of Jesus. Truth is foundational to our identity in Christ.
The second piece of armor the belt is directly related to is the sword. The Roman soldier’s belt helped to support their sword. The two were closely connected—just as the belt of truth is closely connected to the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17).
God’s Word is, of course, the Bible. The Bible is our one offensive weapon as we battle in the spiritual realm. God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). We can win spiritual battles by wielding the truth found in God’s Word. We can easily detect Satan’s lies when we know God’s Word. Satan is the father of lies, but Jesus is truth, and He has provided everything we need to be victorious.
I have to mention one more cool thing. God tells us in John 1 that Jesus is not just truth. He’s the Word! “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). This passage is talking about Jesus. John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
When we look at the belt of truth, we can’t help but see Jesus. He is the truth we need every single day.
I think we all know how to fasten a belt, but let’s take a closer look at what that phrase means. Other translations say, “having girded your loins with truth” (NASB). What does that even mean? Gerald Peterman explains in The Moody Bible Commentary, “In the ancient world girding oneself is done in preparation for strenuous activity. Thus, in an errant world, it is foundational to be girded with God’s truth—that Word that He has proclaimed.” It means tucking your tunic into your belt and getting ready for action.
We live in a physical world, yet a spiritual battle is fought around us every day. When we adorn ourselves with the armor of God, we will be able to withstand evil and stand firm. We never have to fight spiritual battles alone. Something beautiful happens when we give our lives to Jesus and choose to follow Him. We are united with the Son of God, Jesus Christ. We study God’s Word so we know what is true. We fasten His truth tightly around our waist, prepare for action, and step out confidently with the One who is Truth, Jesus Christ. Do you know Him?
God wants to have a relationship with you. It’s why He sent Jesus into the world as a human. Jesus lived a sinless life before He died on a cross with the weight of our sins upon Him. He died in our place, but He didn’t stay dead! Three days later, Jesus rose from the grave. He took the penalty of our sin, then conquered sin and death once and for all so we can be restored to God. It’s an incredible gift, and it’s absolutely free. All we have to do is accept it.
If you don’t have a relationship with God, you can start one today. Romans 10:9 tells us, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Your prayer doesn’t have to be fancy. God knows your heart. You could pray something like this:
God, I know I don’t deserve it, but thank You for sending Jesus to save me. I’m sorry for the things I’ve done wrong, the many ways I’ve sinned against you. Thank You for forgiving me. I’m amazed that You want to have a relationship with me, but I want one with You too. I believe that Jesus is Lord and that You raised Him from the dead. God, I give You my life, and I choose to follow You all my days. I want You to transform my life, so I look more like Jesus. Help me hear Your voice and understand Your Word, the Bible. I love You, God!
Further Reading:
What Is the Full Armor of God?
What Is the Gospel of Peace in the Armor of God?
How Do We Use the Sword of the Spirit in the Armor of God?
What Is the Helmet of Salvation in the Armor of God?
What Is the Shield of Faith in the Armor of God?
How Does the Full Armor of God Apply to Us Today? Part 1
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Andrey Zhuravlev
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