The Truth Shall Set You Free

The Whole Armor of God #1

Part of my tenth grade health class consisted of toting around a five pound bag of flour for a week. This exercise followed a lecture on how college students frequently gain weight during their freshman year because of poor eating habits. Apparently, this lugging around an extra five pounds was supposed to remind us to eat better once we were those struggling college freshmen.

Carrying that extra five pounds that week was annoying. No matter how cute I dressed up that bag of flour like it was a baby, it was a strain. Everywhere I went, I was reminded that I had to hold the bag of flour. Doing everything with that bag of flour in tow was one of the most wretched experiences ever. (Now, Sleep Week in Psychology, where we got to bring our pillows, sleeping bags, and stuffed animals while we learned relaxation techniques…there’s an assignment I can get behind!)

It’s hard to forget something that’s stuck to your body like glue like that flour was to me. Jews were instructed to take the teachings of the Lord and bind them on their hands as a sign (Deuteronomy 11:18-22). This reminded them of the teachings and how they should live as a result. As New Testament Christians, we are to take up the Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14).

First, taking up the Belt of Truth means it is something we wear, figuratively speaking. This implies a choice on our part to wear the Belt – to choose Truth. Conversely, it also means we can remove the Belt of Truth if we so choose. Second, like the Jews and their phylacteries, the Belt of Truth reminds us how we are to live as a result of our obedience to Christ. Wearing the Belt of Truth will sanctify us – set us apart – from those who teach error. Third, the Belt of Truth, being a belt, makes our clothes fit. That is, it keeps everything else from falling apart. When we reject the Truth, our lives will fall apart.

How is your Belt of Truth? Are you wearing it daily to remind you of your obedience to Christ? Does the Truth support your beliefs?