The Good Fight Part 1

The Belt of Truth

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground…

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…” Ephesians 6:11-14a

• What does the Belt of Truth protect?

My core

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth…” v.14 KJV

I. I am being lied to all the time

“He (the devil) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44

The devil lies to us through

1. Our thoughts

2. Other people

3. Our circumstances

“It is the image of God reflected in you that so enrages hell; it is this at which the demons hurl their mightiest weapons.” William Gurnall

“There is a whole lot more going on behind the scenes of our lives than most of us have been led to believe.” John Eldridge

II. If I don’t fight, I will make a subtle agreement with the lie.

“The devil has more temptations than an actor has costumes for the stage. And one of his all-time favorite disguises is that of a lying spirit, to abuse your tender heart with the worst news he can deliver—

that you do not really love Jesus Christ and that you are only pretending, you are only deceiving yourself.” William Gurnall

Your heart is good.

Your heart matters to God.

III. How to identify with the Power of Truth

1. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Person of Truth

“I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

2. The Word of God is the Word of Truth

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

3. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth.

“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” John 14:17

IV. How to apply the Belt Truth

1. Prayer

2. Humility

3. Confession

4. Refuse to make any agreement with the devil in your mind.