Standing Firm in Truth: The Armor of God

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:14, Paul exhorts believers to "stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth." This foundational piece of the armor of God is crucial for Christians engaged in spiritual warfare against the devil's schemes. The truth, as revealed in the Bible, is not found in human philosophies but is encapsulated in the apostolic message concerning salvation. This truth must be firmly girded around our lives, not loosely attached. It requires a deep, intimate relationship, akin to grappling a trusted friend to your soul with hoops of steel.

The act of girding oneself with truth involves several practical steps. First, we must recognize the absolute importance of truth in our Christian life. In an age marked by intellectual indolence and a preference for easy religion, we must resist the temptation to be indifferent to doctrine. Indifference is akin to infidelity, as it undermines the very foundation of our faith. The truth is vital, and without it, our faith is in vain.

Second, we must diligently acquaint ourselves with this truth. This requires time and effort to understand the great doctrines of the faith, such as justification, sanctification, and glorification. We must not be content with a superficial understanding but strive to grasp the full body of truth, enabling us to apply it to every situation we encounter.

Third, honesty is essential in our relationship with the truth. We must not evacuate biblical terms of their meaning or selectively choose parts of the truth that suit us. The truth must be taken in its entirety, as any omission renders it defective.

Fourth, we must apply the truth to ourselves. It should govern every aspect of our lives, challenging us to live in accordance with its principles. This requires a willingness to be corrected and transformed by the truth.

Finally, we must hold on to the truth at all costs, without fear or compromise. In a world that often ridicules and persecutes those who stand for biblical truth, we must be courageous, like Daniel, and remain steadfast in our convictions.

Key Takeaways:

- The truth of God, as revealed in the Bible, is foundational to our spiritual armor. It must be firmly girded around our lives, not loosely attached, ensuring that it holds us together in the face of spiritual battles. [06:46]

- Recognizing the importance of truth is crucial in an age of indifference. Indifference to doctrine is akin to infidelity, as it undermines the foundation of our faith. We must resist the temptation to be intellectually lazy and instead embrace the truth with diligence. [10:20]

- Diligence in understanding the truth is essential. We must invest time and effort to grasp the great doctrines of the faith, enabling us to apply them to every situation we encounter. This requires moving beyond superficial understanding to a deep, comprehensive knowledge. [14:09]

- Honesty in our relationship with the truth is vital. We must not evacuate biblical terms of their meaning or selectively choose parts of the truth that suit us. The truth must be taken in its entirety, as any omission renders it defective. [23:04]

- Holding on to the truth at all costs is imperative. In a world that often ridicules and persecutes those who stand for biblical truth, we must be courageous and steadfast, like Daniel, remaining true to our convictions without fear or compromise. [33:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:14
- [00:30] - The Foundation of the Armor of God
- [01:09] - Engaging in Spiritual Warfare
- [01:42] - Understanding the Truth
- [02:49] - The Practical Aspect of Girding with Truth
- [04:02] - Avoiding a Loose Attachment to Truth
- [05:34] - Grappling Truth to Our Souls
- [07:00] - The Purpose of the Girdle
- [08:24] - The Importance of Truth in Christian Life
- [10:20] - Indifference as Half Infidelity
- [14:09] - Diligence in Knowing the Truth
- [23:04] - Honesty in Handling the Truth
- [30:24] - Applying Truth to Our Lives
- [33:10] - Holding on to Truth Without Fear

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:14

Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean by "having your loins girt about with truth" in Ephesians 6:14? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual armor? [00:09]
2. According to the sermon, why is it important to have a firm attachment to the truth rather than a loose one? [04:02]
3. What are some dangers mentioned in the sermon that can arise from having only an intellectual acquaintance with the truth? [04:34]
4. How does the analogy of grappling a trusted friend to your soul with hoops of steel illustrate our relationship with the truth? [05:34]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does the sermon emphasize the importance of recognizing the absolute importance of truth in our Christian life? How does this relate to resisting intellectual indolence? [08:24]
2. How does the sermon suggest we should approach understanding the great doctrines of the faith, such as justification, sanctification, and glorification? [14:09]
3. What does the sermon mean by stating that indifference to doctrine is akin to infidelity? How does this impact our faith? [10:20]
4. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to hold on to the truth without fear or compromise, even in the face of ridicule or persecution? [33:10]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with the truth. Is it more of a loose attachment or a firm girding? What steps can you take to strengthen this relationship? [04:02]
2. The sermon warns against intellectual indolence. Are there areas in your spiritual life where you have been intellectually lazy? How can you address this? [08:24]
3. Consider the great doctrines of the faith mentioned in the sermon. Which doctrine do you feel least familiar with, and how can you deepen your understanding of it? [14:09]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of honesty in our relationship with the truth. Are there biblical truths you find challenging to accept or apply? How can you work through these challenges? [23:04]
5. In what ways can you apply the truth to govern every aspect of your life? Identify one specific area where you need to align your actions with biblical principles. [30:24]
6. The sermon encourages holding on to the truth at all costs. Have you ever faced ridicule or persecution for your beliefs? How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience? [33:10]
7. Reflect on the analogy of grappling a trusted friend to your soul with hoops of steel. How can you cultivate a deeper, more intimate relationship with the truth in your daily life? [05:34]

Devotional

Day 1: Truth as the Foundation of Spiritual Armor
The truth of God, as revealed in the Bible, is the foundational piece of the spiritual armor that Christians must wear to stand firm against the devil's schemes. This truth is not a collection of human philosophies but is encapsulated in the apostolic message concerning salvation. It must be firmly girded around our lives, ensuring that it holds us together in the face of spiritual battles. The truth is not something to be loosely attached but should be deeply integrated into our lives, much like a trusted friend bound to our soul with hoops of steel. [06:46]

"Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness" (Ephesians 6:14, ESV).

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to more firmly integrate the truth of God, ensuring it holds you together during spiritual battles?


Day 2: Resisting Indifference to Doctrine
In an age marked by intellectual indolence and a preference for easy religion, recognizing the importance of truth is crucial. Indifference to doctrine is akin to infidelity, as it undermines the very foundation of our faith. Christians must resist the temptation to be intellectually lazy and instead embrace the truth with diligence. This involves a conscious effort to prioritize understanding and living out the doctrines of the faith, ensuring that our beliefs are not superficial but deeply rooted in biblical truth. [10:20]

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions" (2 Timothy 4:3, ESV).

Reflection: How can you actively resist the temptation to be indifferent to doctrine and instead embrace a diligent pursuit of biblical truth in your daily life?


Day 3: Diligence in Understanding the Truth
Diligence in understanding the truth is essential for Christians. This requires investing time and effort to grasp the great doctrines of the faith, such as justification, sanctification, and glorification. Moving beyond a superficial understanding to a deep, comprehensive knowledge enables believers to apply these truths to every situation they encounter. It is through this diligent pursuit that Christians can be equipped to stand firm in their faith and navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and discernment. [14:09]

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV).

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your understanding of a particular doctrine of the faith?


Day 4: Honesty in Handling the Truth
Honesty in our relationship with the truth is vital. Christians must not evacuate biblical terms of their meaning or selectively choose parts of the truth that suit them. The truth must be taken in its entirety, as any omission renders it defective. This requires a commitment to integrity in handling the Word of God, ensuring that we do not distort or dilute its message to fit our preferences or cultural norms. [23:04]

"Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another" (Ephesians 4:25, ESV).

Reflection: Are there any areas where you have been selective in your acceptance of biblical truth? How can you commit to embracing the entirety of God's Word?


Day 5: Courage in Holding on to Truth
Holding on to the truth at all costs is imperative for Christians. In a world that often ridicules and persecutes those who stand for biblical truth, believers must be courageous and steadfast, like Daniel, remaining true to their convictions without fear or compromise. This involves a willingness to endure opposition and remain faithful to the truth, trusting that God will honor and uphold those who stand firm in their faith. [33:10]

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love" (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, ESV).

Reflection: What is one area where you need to demonstrate greater courage in holding on to biblical truth, even in the face of opposition or ridicule?

Quotes


The first thing we found essential was this that we should know what the truth is you can't put it on unless you know what it is you've got to take up something and put it on and we've seen very clearly what it is that we only find this truth in the Bible we don't find it anywhere else. [00:16:13]

It's not enough that we should have merely an intellectual acquaintance with this truth, that's a snare that has caught many in the past. You can enjoy reading books and theology, reading books about the Bible, and in a sense even studying the Bible itself. It can be a most fascinating procedure, and yet it all may be nothing but a mere intellectual pursuit. [00:04:34]

We must realize that this is absolutely vital and essential to my whole Christian life of living. Now here again is something of which we need to be reminded and especially today. This is an indolent age, this is a flabby age, intellectually in particular. It's an age in which people don't like to exert themselves. [00:08:28]

Nothing is so fatal to religion as indifference, which is at least half infidelity. Now what he means by indifference, of course, is this: he means this lack of concern about doctrine, about a knowledge of truth, about definitions, about being aware exactly what the truth is. [00:10:00]

The next step obviously is that we've got to take time and trouble to acquaint ourselves with this truth. Now here there's something again that I must emphasize. This is a call to diligence. All the apostles make it. You get Peter putting it, he says, but grow in grace and in the knowledge of the law. [00:14:09]

I may have been diligent in reading my Bible, and therefore I've got a kind of familiarity with its terms, with its phrases, and so on. But now the question is, what meaning do I give to these terms? And here is a theme which might hold us for a very long time because I believe that in many ways it is just this point that we are now dealing with. [00:23:04]

We must not be afraid in our relationship to this truth, and I do want to emphasize this. To me, this is the great call that comes to any true Christian at this terrible moment in which we are alive, this confusion in church and state and everywhere else. If you know the truth, my friend, well hold on to it whatever the cost. [00:33:10]

Hold on to the truth I say at all costs, which means don't compromise, don't compromise for the sake of peace, don't compromise for the sake of unity. We all believe in unity, but we believe in true unity, and the temptation is today people say who am I to stand out against what the majority are doing. [00:38:10]

We must not compromise, we must fight for the truth, gird your loins about with truth. Why? Well, because you've got the wiles of the developers to you, you've got these principalities and powers wrestling in the church, outside the church. Very well, you've got a fight. [00:41:51]

Dare to be a Daniel, be ready to stand if necessary alone when the edicts come down from some king or council or church and tell you that you mustn't do this and you must do that. Just go on as if you haven't heard them. Dare to be a Daniel, you just stand. [00:42:35]

Peter and John did this, didn't they? There they are before the council in Acts 490, and they're told not to preach any more nor ever to teach again in the name of this Jesus or to do any works in his name. This is our Peter Hanson, but Peter and John answered and said unto them whether it be right. [00:44:02]

We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. I let you decide, they said, whether we are to listen to you or to listen to God. We are in no doubt about it. We cannot but speak of the things that we have seen and heard. That's the spirit of the Apostles, that's true Christianity. [00:44:37]

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Transcript
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