Routines and Order
Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
The Belt of Truth
Here’s why Paul says truth is the belt in the armor: Everything hangs off of it and is held together by it.
Too many times we try to define truth based upon feelings, desires, or experience. We use those things to shape what is true for us. The problem is that my feelings change. My desires change.
John 8:31-31 ESV
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
The Breastplate of Righteousness
Jeremiah 17:9 ESV
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
When Paul says to put on God’s breastplate of righteousness, it means to put on Jesus.
When we put on the righteousness of God, we are shielded from the attacks of the enemy.
It doesn’t mean we become perfect or make all of the right choices, but it means that we are moving towards Jesus more and more all of the time.
Sermon Based Questions
- What was encouraging, difficult, or confusing about the talk on Sunday?
- Do you agree with the idea that foundational truth has become less concrete and more fluid in our culture?
- What are the indicators you use to find out if something is true or not?
- Practically speaking, how has “right living” for Jesus changed the way you live now? Have you seen evidences of it acting as a protection in your life?
- How do these pieces af armor help us to move forward with the Gospel of Jesus in our lives?