If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below…
This is Part 15 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love. In Part 5, we learned that superheroes are solution seekers. In Part 6, we saw that solution seekers are willing to sacrifice if necessary. In Part 7, we saw that sacrificial love steps forward and offers service. In Part 8, we saw that superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty. In Part 9, we saw that superheroes never give up! In Part 10, we saw that superheroes don’t need recognition – they are motivated only by love! In Part 11, we saw that relationships matter and teamwork works! In Part 12, we saw that the struggle is real; however, Jesus is the real solution to our real problems. In Part 13, we saw that despite problems, superheroes are more than conquerors! In Part 14, we saw that true superheroes do not have identity crises – they know who they are even if others don’t!
In this message (Part 15), we will see that superheroes are always ready to fight against evil with the belt of Truth.
This Is War:
When you receive your calling, you have been drafted into the army of GOD. But no soldier goes out onto the battlefield without first putting on his/her armor. Marvel’s Avengers had an Infinity War with Thanos. What we [Christians] face is real life and this is the real infinity war; the outcome of this war determines eternal destinations. Superheroes are fighting in a war against evil. Are you ready for battle? Suit up!
Armor of GOD:
“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
(Ephesians 6:10-20) -ESV
We are commanded to be strong in the Lord. GOD gave the Israelites a similar charge before they engaged in battle with the inhabitants of the promised land (Deuteronomy 31:23; Joshua 1:6). However, Paul wanted us to distinguish between demons and doctrine, sin and sinners, problems and people. Humans are not the enemies; rather, hostile supernatural entities are the enemies; the devil and his demons are the enemies. Our fellow humans are victims of Satan’s lies and are in need of being saved because the devil prowls around like a lion, seeking to devour, steal, kill, and destroy (1Peter 5:8; John 10:10). The devil fights with lies, and sometimes his lies sound like truth, but they are lies because there is no truth in him and he is the father of lies (John 8:44). Paul instructed us to put on the whole armor of GOD so that we can resist the devil’s schemes. The phrase “whole armor” is taken from the word panoplia and pictures a Roman soldier who is fully dressed in his armor from head to toe. Also, Paul’s use of the Greek word methodeia suggests that the devil is cunning and he uses deception to advance his evil purposes (2Corinthians 11:3). Satan is, after all, the master manipulator (2Corinthians 11:14). But because of Christ’s victory over the evil powers, believers have courage and strength to resist the devil and his demons (Romans 8:9-11; Ephesians 1:19-21; 3:10; Colossians 2:15; James 4:7).
It’s important to take notice that we are instructed to be strong in the Lord and put on the armor of GOD. The phrase “of GOD” is taken from the Greek phrase tou theo, and it is written in the genitive case. Simply put, this means our supernatural and spiritual armor comes directly from GOD. The Lord Himself is the Source of origin for our armor. And because this armor comes from GOD, it is vital for us to remain in relationship with the Lord in order for us to continually enjoy the benefits of our spiritual armor. Just like any of our appliances, if we ‘unplug’ from the Source of Power, the power no longer empowers us. Do not disengage in fellowship with the Lord.
It is interesting to note that GOD has given us three offensive weapons, three defensive weapons, and one neutral weapon. As I will later explain, the breastplate, shield, and helmet are all defensive weapons. The three offensive weapons are the shoes, sword, and prayer. The neutral weapon is the belt of Truth.
Belt of Truth:
The first item Paul instructs us to put on is the belt of Truth. What is the purpose of the belt? In our present time, the belt is to prevent our pants from falling down. However, in ancient Roman times when Paul wrote to his intended audience, the belt around a soldier’s waist held the breastplate in place, provided an attachment for the sword, provided a resting place for the shield. Without Truth, there’s no protection of the heart nor can anyone possess the defense or weapon necessary to overcome the adversary, which is the shield and the sword. The belt of Truth is central and essential. Without it, it’s easy to fall apart. The belt of Truth holds everything together.
What Is Truth?
“Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’ After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, ‘I find no guilt in him.’ ”
(John 18:37-38) -ESV
How can we wear the belt of Truth if we do not know the answer to Pilate’s question: “What is Truth?” It was the great subject of inquiry in all the schools of the Greeks. Different sects of philosophers had held different opinions; however, Pilate did not ask the question to receive an answer. Even though Pilate asked the question, he never pursued the answer; instead, he walked outside to the crowd. For Pilate, truth was relative. To many government officials in ancient Roman times, truth was whatever the majority of people agreed with or whatever helped advance their own personal power and political goals. When there is no standard or acknowledgment of absolute Truth, there is no basis for moral right and wrong. Justice becomes whatever works or whatever helps those in power. In essence, relative truth is “whatever floats your boat.” However, we know that Truth is absolutely never relative because it is absolute. We also know that moral relativism is absolutely absurd. In Jesus and His Word, we have the standard for Truth and for our moral behavior. The Lord is not a liar; Christ is our compass.
GOD is Truth; Jesus is GOD:
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
(John 14:6) -ESV
Jesus is the way because He is both fully GOD and fully human. When Jesus was conceived, GOD became a man; however, Jesus was not half and half as if a diluted deity; He was completely human and also completely divine (Colossians 2:9). Jesus is the way because Jesus is Truth. By uniting our lives with Him, we are united with GOD.
The Word is Truth:
“God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. By using Scripture, a man of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.”
(2Timothy 3: 16-17) –NIRV
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ ”
(John 8:31-32) -ESV
“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”
(Psalm 119:160) -ESV
Jesus is the Word:
“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men…. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
(John 1:1-4,14) -ESV
It is important to point out that there are two kinds of words from GOD: logos (written Word) and rhema (revelation). The Word (Greek: Logos) was a term used by theologians and philosophers, both Jews and Greeks, in many different ways. In Hebrew Scripture, the Word was an agent of creation (Psalm 33:6), the source of GOD’s message to His people through the prophets (Hosea 4:1), and GOD’s Law, His standard of holiness (Psalm 119:11). In Greek philosophy, the Word was the ‘reason’ behind everything, the principle of reason that governed the world, or the thought still in the mind. In Hebrew thought, the Word was another expression for GOD. Jesus, therefore, is the Creator of the universe and all life (Genesis 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24), the ultimate revelation of GOD, the living picture of GOD’s holiness (Colossians 1:15), the One who “holds all creation together (Colossians 1:17). The Word became human. In John 1:14, when Scripture tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, it means that GOD “tabernacled” in flesh (Jesus). As is evident in the book of Exodus, the Tabernacle was GOD’s “home” on Earth. But this “home” was only a temporary tent, which foreshadowed the more permanent Temple (building), which foreshadowed the more personal temple (body), which foreshadows the personal and permanent presence of our immortal resurrected bodies that will dwell with GOD’s presence for eternity (1Corinthians 15:53). GOD started out small with one tent, expanded to a more permanent building, and then dwelt in the body of Jesus. And because GOD tabernacled in flesh, Jesus became:
- the perfect teacher — in Jesus’ life we see how GOD thinks and therefore how we should think (Philippians 2:5-11);
- the perfect example — as a model of who we are to become, He shows us how to live and gives us the power to live that way (1Peter 2:21);
- the perfect sacrifice — Jesus came as a sacrifice for all sins, and His death satisfied GOD’s requirements for the removal of sin (Colossians 1:15-22).
But no longer do people have to travel to one specific place to seek GOD’s presence. Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit dwells within all children of GOD (John 7:37-39; 14:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 3:2; 2Corinthians 1:22). Jesus is the Word and the Word is eternal Truth (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18; Revelation 19:13). Jesus never changes (Hebrews 13:8); Truth never changes (Proverbs 12:19). Truth is always timely; it applies today and in the future. Because it is connected with GOD’s changeless character, it is also changeless. Think about it: how many centuries have passed since the Word has existed? Consider the countless hours that have been spent carefully studying every sentence and every word of Scripture. The Bible has withstood the test of time and is reliable and accurate. GOD is Spirit (John 4:24); Spirit is Truth (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1John 5:6); Jesus is Truth (John 14:6; 18:37); thus, Jesus is GOD. Jesus is the Son; however, He and the Father are One and Jesus has always existed (John 1:1; 8:58; 10:30). Jesus was One person of two natures, always in relationship with the Spirit. This is the doctrine of the Trinity. And because GOD is Truth and the Word is GOD’s Truth, you can trust the inspired Word to guide you. In fact, apostle Paul declares that this belt of Truth is so powerful and crucial, it can take the average individual and cause him/her to be complete and equipped for every good work (2Timothy 3:16-17). The word translated as “equipped” or “furnished” is taken from the Greek word exartidzo, which means to completely outfit or to fully supply. It was used to depict wagons or ships that were completely outfitted with gear.
The loinbelt covered the Roman soldier’s loins. One of the obvious reasons for this was because he wanted to protect his ability to reproduce. Likewise, the belt of Truth shows us that our ability to produce for GOD is directly correlated with our relationship with the Word of GOD. We will become spiritually sterile if we do not have GOD’s Word actively operating centrally in our lives. When a person first gets saved, it is written in 1John 3:9-10 that GOD’s seed abides in him/her and that person will practice a life of righteousness. The word “seed” is taken from the Greek word spermata. It is where we derive the word “sperm.” Once that seed is placed into us, that divine seed then immediately begins to produce the life and character of Jesus within us. This divine seed is the reason we cannot go on living the way we once did before we encountered the Lord. The life, character, nature, and attributes of GOD are in that seed; consequently, the Holy Father passes a holy ‘DNA’ to us in a way similar to a father’s DNA passing on to a son/daughter. And for this reason, we are new creations in Christ (2Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4; Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:1-10)! And unlike all other perishable seeds, this spermata from GOD is imperishable and incorruptible (1Peter 1:22-23)!
Life Application:
“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”
(Psalm 86:11) -ESV
It is not enough to merely know the Truth (James 2:19); we must live the Truth out in our lives. Knowing the Truth should launch us into action (Romans 2:13; James 1:22-25; 1John 2:4). It is not enough to merely recognize the belt of Truth as being the belt of Truth — we must put it on! Batman can stare at his utility belt and recognize it as his own, but if he never puts it on, it will never help him while he battles against evil villains. A belt of Truth that is merely on display will not help anyone in any way.
GOD is Spirit; Spirit is Truth; Jesus is Truth; Jesus is GOD; Jesus is the Word; Jesus is Truth. Therefore, the belt of Truth is the Word of GOD. This belt of Truth holds the breastplate in place; Jesus holds everything together!
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
(Proverbs 9:10) -ESV
Wisdom begins with knowing GOD. He gives insight into living because He created life. To know GOD you must not just know the facts about Him; you must have a personal relationship with Him. But how can you know GOD unless you know GOD’s Word? Do you possess GOD’s Word within you? Again, a belt of Truth that is merely on display will not help anyone in any way; likewise, a Bible that is merely on display will not help anyone in any way. You must not only possess the belt of Truth, but you must also use it; likewise, you must not only possess GOD’s Word, but you must also use it. How can you use your utility belt of Truth if you don’t know what’s in it? And even if you know what’s in it, it won’t help you unless you apply it to your life.
Think of the belt of Truth like Batman’s utility belt. When we put on the belt of Truth, “we use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity” (2Corinthians 10:5-6) -MSG.
“We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.”
(2Corinthians 10:5) -TPT
And for this reason, apologetics is important. The term apologetics derives from a Greek term, apologia, and was used for a defense. Essentially, it is the ability to explain why we believe what we believe. Apologetics is important because we’re all apologists anyway, it strengthens believers, and helps believers fulfill the great commission. But most importantly, Bible study is imperative in our walk with the Lord. Have you ever been asked difficult questions about the Bible you weren’t prepared to answer?
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
(1Peter 3:15) -NIV
As Peter indicates, we are all called to be ready with answers. The best way to identify a lie is to know the Truth. And when we know the Truth, we must follow the example of Jesus and be full of both grace and truth (John 1:14), speaking Truth out from love (Ephesians 4:15). Know the Truth and the Truth will set you free (John 8:32)!
Quest For Truth 
10 thoughts on “Superhero: Armor of GOD: Belt of Truth”