“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth” (Ephesians 6:14).
By the time the apostle Paul wrote the epistle to the Ephesians, he had spent up to five years in the presence of Roman soldiers. From Jerusalem to Caesarea to Rome, Paul—a prisoner of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:1; Philemon 1)—was near a Roman soldier daily.
Such familiarity was transformed into a powerful spiritual illustration in Ephesians 6 where the inspired apostle commands every Christian to take up the whole armor of God (v. 13) and then inventories the standard equipment issued to every member of Christ’s army (vv. 14-20). If attired as prescribed, the panoply of God ensures spiritual victory over the wicked one and his spiritual hosts.
In preparing himself for duty, a Roman soldier began with a belt. This girdle prevented his loose-fitting tunic from hindering him in battle and was used to secure the breastplate which protected his vital organs.
In Paul’s analogy, this piece of equipment is truth. Because the word of God is analogous to the soldier’s sword (v. 17), “truth” here connotes integrity. This trait was the enduring quality by which Job withstood Satan’s vicious assaults thousands of years ago (Job 2:3, 9; 27:5). Genuine spiritual strength which can withstand the fiery darts of the devil arises from a heart which is sincere and genuine in its love of truth and abhorrence of evil. Having a heart which is honest and good is foundational to spiritual victory.
To be dressed for spiritual success, you must gird your waist with sincerity and integrity of character.
