Equipping for Battle: The Power of Truth

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:14, Paul instructs believers to "stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth." This is the first piece of the armor of God that we must put on to withstand the devil's schemes. The Christian life is a spiritual battle against the forces of darkness, and awareness of this conflict is a mark of true spiritual maturity. Without the whole armor of God, we are already defeated. The loins, representing the core of our strength, must be girded with truth, which is not a vague concept but a well-defined body of doctrine found in the Bible.

The truth is not merely a general message about goodness, morality, or religion. It is not about sentimental comfort or constant appeals for decisions. It is a comprehensive system of theology, a body of divinity, that includes the whole plan and purpose of salvation. This truth is most clearly expounded in the New Testament Epistles, which provide a detailed explanation of the doctrine of salvation, unlike the Gospels and Acts, which primarily attest to the person of Jesus Christ.

Understanding this truth involves knowing God's eternal purpose, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the doctrine of justification by faith. It also includes our present position as Christians, our assurance of salvation, and the glorious hope awaiting us. This truth is essential for resisting the devil and standing firm in our faith. It is not enough to have a superficial knowledge of the Bible; we must delve deep into its doctrines, pray for the Holy Spirit's enlightenment, and be ready to apply this knowledge in our spiritual battles.

Key Takeaways:

- The Christian life is a spiritual battle against the devil and his forces. Awareness of this conflict is a sign of spiritual maturity, and without the armor of God, we are already defeated. The first piece of this armor is the girdle of truth, which represents the core of our strength. [01:19]

- Truth is not a vague or general concept but a well-defined body of doctrine found in the Bible. It is not merely about goodness, morality, or religion, but a comprehensive system of theology that includes the whole plan and purpose of salvation. [03:28]

- The truth is most clearly expounded in the New Testament Epistles, which provide a detailed explanation of the doctrine of salvation. Unlike the Gospels and Acts, which primarily attest to the person of Jesus Christ, the Epistles elaborate on the doctrine of salvation. [23:34]

- Understanding the truth involves knowing God's eternal purpose, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the doctrine of justification by faith. It also includes our present position as Christians, our assurance of salvation, and the glorious hope awaiting us. [32:20]

- To resist the devil and stand firm in our faith, we must delve deep into the doctrines of the Bible, pray for the Holy Spirit's enlightenment, and be ready to apply this knowledge in our spiritual battles. Superficial knowledge is not enough; we must have a comprehensive understanding of the truth. [46:00]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:14
[01:19] - The Spiritual Battle
[02:30] - The Girdle of Truth
[03:28] - Defining Truth
[05:16] - Truth in the Epistles
[09:35] - The Importance of Truth
[13:11] - Misconceptions About Truth
[17:15] - The Role of Doctrine
[21:55] - Proclamation vs. Exposition
[23:34] - Truth in the Epistles
[32:20] - The Plan of Salvation
[35:08] - God's Eternal Purpose
[39:04] - Assurance of Salvation
[45:45] - The System of Truth
[48:35] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:14
- 2 Timothy 3:8-10
- 1 Peter 5:8-9

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by "having your loins girt about with truth" in Ephesians 6:14, and why is it considered the first piece of the armor of God? [00:31]
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of the spiritual battle that Christians face, and what is the significance of being aware of this conflict? [01:19]
3. According to the sermon, what is the role of the New Testament Epistles in understanding the truth? [23:34]
4. What are some misconceptions about the truth that the sermon addresses, and how do they differ from the truth as defined in the Bible? [11:22]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon define "truth" as a comprehensive system of theology, and why is it important for Christians to understand this system? [03:28]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a superficial knowledge of the Bible is insufficient for spiritual battles? [46:00]
3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between the person and work of Jesus Christ and the doctrine of justification by faith? [36:44]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the Holy Spirit in understanding and applying the truth in our lives? [39:31]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current understanding of the Bible. Do you feel it is deep enough to withstand spiritual battles? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding? [46:00]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing God's eternal purpose. How does this knowledge impact your daily life and decisions? [35:08]
3. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more open to the Spirit's guidance and enlightenment in understanding the truth? [39:31]
4. The sermon warns against misconceptions about truth, such as viewing it as mere morality or sentimentality. How can you ensure that your understanding of truth aligns with biblical doctrine? [11:22]
5. How can you apply the doctrine of justification by faith in your interactions with others, especially when facing challenges or conflicts? [40:04]
6. Think about your current spiritual battles. How can the knowledge of your present position as a Christian and the assurance of salvation help you stand firm? [43:13]
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel spiritually vulnerable. What specific biblical truths can you apply to strengthen yourself in that area? [45:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Maturity Through Awareness of Battle
The Christian life is not a passive journey but a spiritual battle against the forces of darkness. Awareness of this conflict is a sign of spiritual maturity, as it acknowledges the reality of the devil's schemes. Without the armor of God, believers are already defeated. The first piece of this armor is the girdle of truth, which represents the core of our strength. This truth is not a vague or general concept but a well-defined body of doctrine found in the Bible. It is essential for resisting the devil and standing firm in faith. [01:19]

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you become more aware of the spiritual battles in your life, and how can this awareness lead to greater spiritual maturity?


Day 2: The Comprehensive Nature of Biblical Truth
Truth in the Christian faith is not merely about goodness, morality, or religion. It is a comprehensive system of theology that includes the whole plan and purpose of salvation. This truth is most clearly expounded in the New Testament Epistles, which provide a detailed explanation of the doctrine of salvation. Unlike the Gospels and Acts, which primarily attest to the person of Jesus Christ, the Epistles elaborate on the doctrine of salvation. Understanding this truth involves knowing God's eternal purpose, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the doctrine of justification by faith. [03:28]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of the comprehensive truth found in the Bible, and what steps can you take to study the New Testament Epistles more thoroughly?


Day 3: The Role of the Epistles in Understanding Salvation
The New Testament Epistles provide a detailed explanation of the doctrine of salvation, unlike the Gospels and Acts, which primarily attest to the person of Jesus Christ. The Epistles elaborate on the doctrine of salvation, offering believers a deeper understanding of God's eternal purpose, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the doctrine of justification by faith. This understanding is crucial for standing firm in faith and resisting the devil's schemes. [23:34]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: What specific passages from the Epistles have deepened your understanding of salvation, and how can you incorporate this understanding into your daily life?


Day 4: Embracing the Fullness of God's Truth
Understanding the truth involves knowing God's eternal purpose, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the doctrine of justification by faith. It also includes our present position as Christians, our assurance of salvation, and the glorious hope awaiting us. This truth is essential for resisting the devil and standing firm in our faith. It is not enough to have a superficial knowledge of the Bible; believers must delve deep into its doctrines, pray for the Holy Spirit's enlightenment, and be ready to apply this knowledge in spiritual battles. [32:20]

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you prepare your mind for action by embracing the fullness of God's truth, and what practical steps can you take to deepen your understanding of these doctrines?


Day 5: Applying Biblical Truth in Spiritual Battles
To resist the devil and stand firm in faith, believers must delve deep into the doctrines of the Bible, pray for the Holy Spirit's enlightenment, and be ready to apply this knowledge in spiritual battles. Superficial knowledge is not enough; a comprehensive understanding of the truth is necessary. This involves a commitment to studying the Scriptures, seeking God's guidance, and applying biblical principles in everyday life. [46:00]

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to apply biblical truth in your spiritual battles, and how can you rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength?

Quotes



The Christian Life is one which is involved of necessity in this terrible struggle with the devil and his powers as our Lord himself when he was in this world had to wage this Warfare was engaged in this fight so are we his followers it is a mark in other words of the fact that we are truly Christian if we are aware of this conflict. [00:01:12]

The first piece we must put on is this girdle of Truth the loines are always said to be the most powerful part of men the kind of pivot on which all human strength turns and therefore he starts with this and nothing is more essential than that the lines should be truly G about and the point he makes is that they must be G about with truth. [00:02:26]

There is nothing as I see it which is more important for us as individual Christians and for the church as a whole at the present time than just this with the whole state of the world as it is this seems to me to be the first and the chiefest problem confronting the Christian Church how are we to fight the Wilds of the devil. [00:09:33]

There is only one anchor for this soul of ours and that is this truth which binds us to the Lord Jesus Christ well now then what is this exactly this is what we want to know what what do you mean says someone when you say that I got to guard my lines about with truth G up the lines of my mind as Peter puts it the same thing. [00:10:40]

It is not merely some general message about goodness and morality I say that of course because there are large numbers who obviously think that that is the truth that the Bible is just a book that in general teaches us to live good lives and to be moral and that's seems to be the beginning and the end of it that's their view of Christianity. [00:11:16]

The truth is to be found as I'm defining the truth with which we are to guard our lines it is to be found in the Epistles in a way that is not to be found even in the gospels in the book of the acts now then here we come to the Crux of the whole matter I wonder whether we are clear about this. [00:23:17]

The New Testament Epistles are nothing after all but synopses of Christian doctrine there is no doubt that the apostles taught this as they ministered in the early church now the the book of Acts doesn't go into this in detail because as I say its main function was meant to be something else and something different it's primarily a history of the founding of the church and the early days. [00:27:10]

The truth that Ena us the only thing that does enable us to withstand the Ws of the devil and then you go on I'm simply giving you a summary of it our present position what's my present position as a Christian well I must learn about my standing in the presence of God I must know that I'm a Child of God I know what that means know how I become adoption. [00:41:25]

A Christian is not merely to hope that he's going to be saved he must know it he must rejoice in it he must have great certainty because if you haven't the devil will beat you he'll get you down every time I find that the people who are in greatest trouble spiritually the people who lack Assurance of Salvation it must be the case of necessity. [00:43:13]

The truth alone it's this understanding it's getting down to the doctrine digging down to the depths working out these headings that's the thing that we must guard about our lines with in order that we may understand how to withstand the Ws of the devil in other words what I've said is this that it's a large matter this a comprehensive matter thank God it's a complete matter. [00:46:24]

The no more you know it all the firmer will you be in your stand against the Ws of the devil and the subtlety of all the principalities and Powers the rulers of the darkness of this world the spiritual wickedness which is in high places very well my friends having your loins G about with truth. [00:48:08]

And now unto him who is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding Joy to the only wise God our savior be glory and Majesty dominion and power both now and ever and May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship and the communion of the Holy Spirit abide and continue with us. [00:49:35]

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Transcript
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