Truth & Righteousness

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, 

and having on the breast plate of righteousness;

Ephesians 6:14

Apostle Paul chooses to begin describing the set of spiritual armor by naming the belt first. The belt had one main function. It was to serve as the foundation on which the sword, dagger and metal apron were attached on the Roman soldier.

The belt played a crucial role in the effectiveness of the Roman soldier's armor. It was the belt that held the scabbard, without which there would be no place to put a sword. Imagine an overzealous soldier, fired up and charging out into battle—but without his belt, and consequently without a weapon! The belt secures all the other pieces of the armor. Likewise, our heavenly Father's truth should cleave to us as a belt cleaves to our body.

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. John 17:17

Jesus, praying to the Father, gives a clear and straightforward definition of truth: God's Word; His promises, His commands, His word—they are all truth. 

This does not mean that you have to have the entire bible memorized; as in book, chapter and verse.  However, the basic truths of God should be known to you; should be embedded in your heart and stand up against any lie, deceit or hypocrisy that comes against you. There are some simple truths that are easy to remember:

→ Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. Deuteronomy 4:29

→ I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer ; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust ; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies  Psalms 18:1-3

→ The Lord is my shepherd . . .   Psalms 23:1 

→ Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among en whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12 

→ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

Jesus Is The Truth!  

The belt was foundational for battle. 

In short, it supported the weapons that allowed the soldier to fight. 

The belt is a reminder that Jesus is the foundation for spiritual battle. He is the truth that stands against the lies and deception of Satan. “Jesus is the way and the truth” – the very basis for life.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  John 14:6 

To win our spiritual battles our fight must be anchored 
to the truth  found in Jesus alone.

Now that we understand the purpose and need of the belt [truth], what purpose does a breastplate [righteousness] serve? 

The breastplate was a central part of the Roman soldier's armor.  It provided protection for the torso, which contains vital organs like the heart, lungs and so on. Without a breastplate, a soldier would be asking for death, as any attack could instantly become fatal. The function of the breastplate was simple – to protect the soldier’s vital organs. In close hand-to-hand combat the breastplate was essential for survival. No properly trained Roman soldier would venture into battle without it.  With a sturdy breastplate, the very same attacks become ineffective and useless, as blows glance off the armor.

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 11:4

Without righteousness, we leave ourselves open to almost certain death. With righteousness—just as with a breastplate—the otherwise fatal attacks of our enemy are thwarted.

To be righteous is to do what is right in God's sight. God's commandments are righteousness. In contrast, lawlessness is sin, and sin is the opposite of righteousness. So to be righteous is to obey God's laws of love.

My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness. Psalm 119:172

Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.  1 Corinthians 15:34

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4

Faith and love also protect our hearts. Faith and love go hand in hand with righteousness. Faith works "through love": 

For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.  Galatians 5:6 

Abraham's faith, which was shown by his doing what God said to do, was "accounted to him for righteousness": 

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  Romans 4:3 

Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. Genesis 26:5 

'Faith,' as the motive within, and 'love,' exhibited in outward acts, constitute the perfection of righteousness": 

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.  1 Thessalonians 5:8

It is through a continuing and dedicated adherence to both the letter and spirit of God's law that we can defend ourselves with His righteousness.

Once we have put on the breastplate of righteousness, we must be sure not to remove it.

When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. Ezekiel 33:13

This scripture reveals that wearing righteousness is not a one-time event; rather, it requires a lifetime of action.

Jesus is our Righteousness.  If we start to believe that our own righteousness, effort, or good works can make us worthy of God’s protection, the advantage quickly changes to benefit our enemy.  Our righteousness is worthless in the battle. We have to get our eyes off of ourselves and back on the provision of the cross and the righteousness that is found in a relationship with Jesus.

Indeed, truth and righteousness go hand in hand:

Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. Psalms 15:1-2

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye 

light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and 

righteousness and truth;)

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:8-10

(Biblical Studies)




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