Stand therefore, having your loins gird about with truth....Ephesians 6:
14

Looking at the first piece of armor, notice that it is the essence of our
faith, for who can place his faith and trust in a lie? Without truth
there is no peace. Truth is the foundation of our salvation, for Jesus
said of Himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me.” Truth is not a theology, and it’s not some
dry-as-dust sermon or a religious organization. Truth is a living reality
with a living person as its head. It is our Jesus Christ who is both Lord
and Savior to all who believe.

The “loins” in scripture are referred to as the place of strength. They
are a vital area of the body, physically speaking, for if they are struck
or damaged in any way there is a loss of strength. Hence in scripture
they are looked at in a unique light. In reference to the battle, they
are to be girded or strengthened, and this can only happen by abiding in
the truth of God and in what has been manifested through His Word.

Nahum 2:1:  “Keep the munitions (fortify the walls), watch the way, make
thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.

Luke 12:35:  “Let your loins be girded about and your lights burning.”

There is nothing  that Satan likes to attack and pervert more than the
truth of Jesus Christ. If he can instill doubt, error, or human reasoning
in place of truth, then he has succeeded in distracting us.

One of the main weaknesses of the Church today is our being absorbed in
problem solving. The Church was never meant to be the revolutionary tool
of the world. It was created by God to shine and to call men and women to
Christ, to shine forth the truth of God’s word in a living and true way.
When the truth which is according to Jesus is being set forth and lived
out, then others see, and hearts and lives are changed. Nothing baffles
the enemy more than to see men and women being purified by the truth of
God. It leaves him speechless, for it goes beyond reason and all that is
humanly possible. How can a man who has been a sinner all of his life
suddenly change? He has been made free by another with a freedom that the
natural man cannot understand since he reasons from the position of self
and is found in unbelief.

And Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples
indeed, and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”
A little farther down we learn: “If the Son therefore shall make you
free, you shall be free indeed (Please refer to John 8:31-32, 36).

If we are soldiers of the living God, then we are to be surrounded and
strengthened by the truth of His Word, so that we are not overcome by the
lies and deceptions of the enemy. This is important not only for our
spiritual growth and well-being, but also so that we can shine forth in a
world that is getting ever darker. May our testimony be that of the
apostle Paul who, when writing to Timothy,  testifying of Jesus Christ,
said , “I speak the truth in Christ and lie not.” It is the truth that we
are to proclaim, not a lie that misleads and brings shame to the cross of
Christ.

We are messengers of truth, and yet how can we be gird about by truth if
we do not embrace it and make it our own? Let it be as a personal and
treasured possession, something that we would never leave behind or
forget. How can we manifest it when our cars get more attention than the
truth? It must be treasured in the heart and obeyed in the spirit.

Saints, treasure in your heart the truth that is in Jesus and be found
proclaimers of that truth. Let it be your strength as you awake each day.
Cleave to it like a child and fill your mind with it, for the truth shall
not only set you free, but strengthen you for the battle which all who
bear the name of Jesus must face. May the truth of God through Christ
Jesus sustain you in these perilous times.  Amen!

M. H. G.
     

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