Can you imagine a teacher trying to face his class without properly preparing in advance? Or a soldier going to war with just his bare knuckles? They wouldn’t have much chance of survival, would they? In any profession and in any situation, not only do we need to be well-prepared, but we also need to be well equipped!

In His divine wisdom, God has given us amazing equipment with which to face the stormy temptations that the devil directs our way. We will study each one of these in turn, but today’s devotional will focus on the first one: The Belt of Truth! “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.” (Eph 6:14 NIV)

Have you ever had kids squabbling with one another?

“Who started this?” you make the mistake of asking.

“He did!”

“No she did!”

“No he did!”

Who do you believe? Who is speaking the truth?

One of the devil’s primary offensive moves is to make you doubt. If you can confuse your prey about what is right and what is wrong, then he won’t have a clue what to do! By whispering thoughts and images into the mind, the devil leaves its victims confused and wanting. For example:

“Everybody does it!” In other words: “You’re a loser if you don’t!”

“Just try it once” In other words: “It’s addictive and it will ruin your life!”

“One more time!” In other words: “I’ve got you, sucker!”

“Did God really say…?” In other words: “You must be stupid listening to Him!”

“You went too far. God will never be able to forgive you now!” In other words: “You are too close in finding out how much God loves you, you need to back away!”

Have you ever realized that every temptation is nothing but an attempt to make you doubt God’s love? What happens if you don’t have Truth on your side? You lose your pants! Truth is what holds up your dignity!

No one would ever be tempted to go to the mall without a belt. Imagine the shock and horror of those around you if you lost your pants right in front of them? Embarrassing, to say the least.

It is also embarrassing for Christians who are not properly equipped with the belt of Truth.

God has granted us two indestructible sources of Truth to guide us amidst confusion. The first is His Word, the Bible, a Light in the darkness: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Ps 119:105 NIV).

The second is His Holy Spirit, who comes to reside in your heart once you have accepted Jesus into your life. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13 NIV) Sometimes His voice screams, warning us of imminent danger, but so often we ignore Him, thinking instead of greener pastures that lead to our own destruction!

How can we go wrong with two such great sources of truth? It’s simple! If we don’t tie them around our waists, we leave ourselves without a pure source of Truth! Without truth, our shame will become evident.

Take the time to get acquainted with God’s Word and His awesome Holy Spirit, and discover that you don’t need to be confused any longer! You have allies who will guide you to truth. You will behold temptation as what it really is and what it really stands for: a vile attempt to alienate you from God!

“For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven.” (Phil 3:18-20 NIV)

“Where are my pants? Where are my pants?”

“Better find your belt first!”

Without truth we become easy prey!

Rob Chaffart