Belt and Body Armor (Ephesians 6:10–14)
After telling the believers in Ephesus to put on every piece of their spiritual armor, and after telling them who the battle is really against, he goes on to tell them what those pieces are. He starts that section by saying, “Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God';s righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14).
You don';t have to be an expert on all things military to know that the belt and body armor are used to protect a warrior from a frontal assault — not to protect him from behind. That is why Paul starts this section by telling the Ephesians to stand their ground.
There are only a few things God cannot do, simply because they would violate His perfect nature. Among them is telling an untruth: “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18).
The belt of truth means God';s truth. God speaks only truth. It is not in His nature to lie in any way. If He has said it in the pages of the Bible, you can bank on it!
On the other hand, the enemy and his cohorts are liars and deceivers. Of course, we would expect them to lie and deceive in order to win a war by keeping us from seeing the truth about ourselves, about the power we have in Christ, about the authority of God';s written Word, and about God Himself. But Paul tells us that the truth of God will keep us from being blinded, deceived, or confused by the devil or by the worldly influences he attempts to use in spiritual war.
The breastplate of righteousness refers to God';s righteousness. That';s because God has declared all believers righteous — meaning right or justified before him — because of what Christ has done for us on the cross. (See Romans 5:18–19 to read about that wonderful truth.) That declaration makes our souls and spirits untouchable as far as Satan';s attacks are concerned. Yes, he may harass us and try to keep us from doing the things God calls all believers to do, but as long as we are protected by God';s body armor, he can never strike anything coming close to a mortal blow. Paul wanted to remind the Ephesian Christians that they possessed an impenetrable piece of armor that would protect them as they went on the offensive against the devil and against the ungodly world around them.
Study Questions
What are believers to do as they put on the belt of truth and the body armor of God';s righteousness?
What is the purpose of the belt of truth and the body armor of God';s righteousness?
