From “Growing in the character of a disciple”: Chapter 10 – How we can develop ‘the love of the truth’ and the character quality , and habit, of truthfulness?
You may think I’m over-emphasising the importance of truth and focusing on it too strongly. I don’t think so. It is at the centre and it holds everything together. That’s why apostle Paul, in Ephesians chapter 6, refers to the “belt of truth”. It holds all the rest of our ‘armour’ in place:
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For 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. 13Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
A soldier’s belt holds together all the rest of the kit that he wears and also provides a place to which he can attach ammunition and other equipment that he carries. It keeps it all in place. Likewise, truth, if we really love it and value it, will hold all the other parts of our lives together and keep us on the right path. If instead we are casual about truth, and willing to compromise on it, then every other part of our lives will become distorted and fall apart.
