In Part 2 we saw how important obedience is to God and that the basis/foundation on which we "take a stand" has to be founded on His word and being obedient to that word. I also mentioned that the word of God needs to become our standard - our benchmark - when it comes to how accurately we demonstrate our allegiance towards Him. It cannot be based on our opinion, our parents' opinion, the government's opinion, what may seem popular at the time, what's trending, whatever "my truth" may be, whatever "truth" is convenient or popular or most comfortable to follow. To take a stand means that before anything else, my agenda, my focus, my priority, my purpose is to seek to obey the word of God for myself - and not only in my life, but in my marriage, how I conduct myself in the workplace, how I raise my children, etc. - and to see His word shape and transform my life into His image and likeness.
As we move on from this foundation, we see in the below passage that the Bible encourages us to "stand against, stand our ground, stand firm", and the manner in which we do so is by putting on the armour of God:
Ephesians 6:10-13
"In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]."
The metaphor here is based on the armour and battle dress of a first-century Roman soldier and suggests that every person is in a constant battle. No one is immune to it or can escape it. It also indicates how seriously we must view the onslaught of the devil, that Christianity isn't casual or that we can be casual about our relationship with God. Yes, the devil was defeated by Jesus Christ when He died and rose again and was seated at the right hand of the Father, and gave us authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:17-20, Ephesians 2:6, Matthew 28:18-19, James 4:7), but it doesn't stop the devil from trying to gain a foothold in our lives, using whichever temptation, schemes or deception he can to try and steal the word of God from producing what it should in, and through, our lives (Mark 4:14-20 and 1 Timothy 6:12). The enemy is constantly looking to tempt us so that he can derail us, get us off track, lose momentum, lose focus on God's call on our lives and any assignment the Holy Spirit may want to accomplish through us... So it's bigger than just our personal spiritual wellbeing - it could affect someone's salvation, and even our own, if we fail to give attention or address certain areas in our spiritual lives.
Now let's take a look at the details around this particular armour:
Ephesians 6:14-17
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
Girding your waist with truth, in the natural term for the armour, means to secure with a belt or band. The belt was an essential part of the equipment, passing round the loins and at the end of the breastplate (in later times supporting the sword), it was especially used in keeping other parts in place, and aided with the freedom of movement.
It's interesting and possibly significant (in my opinion) that this piece of the armour is mentioned first on the list because Jesus said He is the way, THE TRUTH, and the life. It implies that we must be girded with His word, for His word is truth.
If we don't accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour then ultimately whatever else He had/has to say doesn't carry much weight in our lives - but if we do, then everything He says has to be held in highest regard.
Therefore this becomes the starting point of our armour, for everything stems from, and is secure and held together, by the Truth of His word.
So Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth!
Amen