Ephesians 6:14. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”
TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. Veracity is the affirmation – no question about the facts. Actuality is the authentication – no question about the acts. Accuracy is the identification – no question as to from whence it comes. Rightness is the qualification – no question as to what is done.
Verity finds its source in God – He who is Truth itself. Honesty makes its home in men – he who will live it out himself. Fact finds its place in truthful words – those who match the two as one. Correctness takes it out to them – those who won’t stop till truth has won.
Candid, truth will ne’re deceive – it is there for all to see and view. Frank, truth always can be believed – its lines of fact are never new. Sincere, truth never has known guile – its face is bright and easily read. Authentic, truth has no false smile – its basis is in written Word.
So around one’s loins, may truth be bound, the place of strength and character. May readiness to serve be found in each believer – warrior. The girding of the loins and mind, essential to the life we live; To serve our Lord with truth so clear is the best service we can give.
Righteousness, that God-like trait, that He imparts to men like me; Is there for all of us to take; so, in our lives, others Christ might see. It does demand a faithfulness that so reveals the will of God. It meets the requirements to make reality that Christ is Lord.
Right dealings with all those around are needed to make really clear; The fact that I am not my own, and my life is lived for Jesus here. The breastplate is seen from neck to waist, it covers all the vital parts; For it is here, if it’s not on, that Satan aims his fiery darts.
Truth and righteousness are linked because alone, each cannot work. Truth in the life real service brings, when around the life it’s tightly girt. Righteousness seen in public view makes truth more than just words we say. So, put together on me, these two give me protection to stand each day.
“O God of Truth and Righteousness: these two character traits, that so define the divine nature; in Thy grace, enable me to not just know the truth and know what is right, but to literally and continually live these out in life and service. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The helmet of salvation is to protect the mind from doubts that the devil will try to place in front of us. "Hath God said...?" is not just the words of the serpent to Eve. He uses the same tactic to deceive everyone. For some reason, every generation of believers goes through the same challenge. Doctrinal correctness and the control of the mind are really a matter of choice on the part of each believer. The attractions that Satan used in the past are still being used against us. We need to learn to be proficient with the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." A sword pierces the body to bring about the defeat of an enemy. The word of God pierces the heart and can bring an end to the hardness of heart that blinds the minds of those who will not believe. Victory is sure when the word of God is used effectively as an offensive weapon to drive back the enemies of God's people.
Ephesians 6: 15-16. “And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
SHOES AND SHIELD. The shoes are bound around and around With the life of God in the Gospel sound. The news is good, it gives life indeed, To those who realize their soul’s deep need. Its message comes from those whose job, Is to speak the truth in the name of God.
Wherever they walk as they move ahead, The preparation of the Gospel of peace is spread.
The message of peace is truth to be told, And to tell it to others, we must personally hold It, and walk it in shoes shod with the Gospel of peace; And make plain the truth of God’s mercy and grace. The life of the Gospel is lived out by faith; And that shield we take helps us stay in our place, As we use its full cover to quench fiery darts, That are thrown at the saints lest they grow faint in their hearts.
The shield of faith pledges fidelity, To God and His Word from me personally. It indicates trust that is placed in the Lord, So that “living by faith” is the Christian’s watchword. It’s not what we say that is all that faith means; It includes evidence in our lives that is seen. So, the shield of faith held with boldness of heart; Is really belief that is full, not in part.
The actions of faith make us willing to stand; Our Savior alone keeps us safe in His hand; Lest the subtle attempts of the devil get through, And we let our guard down and yield to the foe. Faith stands firm and guards the body of truth; Our feet are then solid on the Gospel of peace. Though war rages around us, and deceit comes here too; With Spirit-powered faith, we will move right on through.
“Father, I can see how closely the walk of faith and the work of faith are connected. The Gospel demands real evidence, and it must be furthered rather than just held. The opposition to the Gospel requires a clear understanding of the doctrines involved. Keep me from being satisfied with what I think I know. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”