The Belt of Truth

Ephesians 6:14 says "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist..,"

Let's think of what a Belt of Truth might be. We already know that Truth is Jesus. Jesus is the Truth as he said in John 14:6 "...I am the way the truth and the life......" So, what does it mean to wear the Belt of Truth?

When I think of a belt several images come to mind. One is the slim belt that I wear on my dress pants. At one time, its purpose was to keep my pants in place and to keep my shirts tucked in. So this belt is for keeping things in place...or perhaps in perspective.

Another belt is picture is a prize held up after a boxing match. This belt is to show the winner of a match earned from hard work and a winning boxing match. This belt can illustrate hard work, determination, fighting for what one believes in.

Another that comes to mind is one worn by persons who need help to support their backs. This belt is for being able to stand strong, to be able to lift to accomplish the task without getting hurt. So this type of belt is for support, for assistance standing firm and to resist harm for the difficult task.

I found other belts; ones for attaching to rigs to prevent people from falling, money belts to keep money safe and secure from would-be thieves, and decorative belts to add accents to one's outfit.

I also found some images of the types of belts that might have been worn at the time when Paul wrote this Letter to the Ephesians. This belt seems to me to be protecting men where they are most vulnerable.

All of these belts can uncover what the Belt of Truth can mean for us now. Jesus is the truth. Scripture proclaims who Jesus is and is part of that truth. So we should put on the Belt of Truth each day by depending on Jesus as revealed in scripture. We should read the Word each day. We should spend time with Jesus each day. Then we can depend on Him to help us keep things in place (or perspective), overcome challenges through hard work, perseverance, and hard-won fights, protect and support us physically from harm, and protect us in those places where we are most vulnerable. Jesus can protect our valuables like joy and peace from would-be thieves, and can decorate our lives with hope and faith.

Jesus, my plan for this week is to "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around [my] waist..," Help me to intentionally put on this belt each day and to allow You to do all the things that a belt can do so that I will be able to "stand firm" for You in the world, so that others will know You. Amen.

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