When we make our stand against Satan, we are to do so with the belt of truth around our waist. The symbolism of a belt is significant in this matter. In the days of the apostle Paul, ca. 2 B.C. – A.D. 68, people did not wear pants. Rather, in many of the Roman states, a tunic was worn—a one piece garment that typically went down to the knees on men, and further still on women. In some cases, a belt would be worn around the waist. This was the typical attire for Roman citizens and slaves. Citizens with the distinction of being “free” were also permitted to wear a large blanket known as a toga draped over one shoulder. During battle, Roman soldiers wore a tunic under their armor, with a belt to hike it up. This way, instead of the tunic hanging down around their knees, it would stop mid-thigh, allowing for greater mobility. Thus, the analogy could be made that the belt noted in Ephesians 6:14 equates to the mobility offered by the truth found in the word of God. While we are to stand firm on principle for the Lord, we also need agility when fighting a foe that is very much like a prowling lion. When issues go unresolved in our life, we are hindered like a Roman soldier would be if he were to allow his tunic to hang down to his knees. By putting on the belt of truth, we gain awareness and acceptance of our conditioned states and are then able to liberate our inhibited minds while battling the enemy.
In the armor of God, the “breastplate of righteousness” is intended to protect the heart, but not as one might imagine. Theologically, the heart symbolizes the center of spiritual activity, as well as all other facets of human life. When we lean on our own understanding, things really do seem right at times. Yet our heart is deceitful (see Jeremiah 17:9), which is precisely why we need protection. On one hand, our adversary might attack us in thought using worry and doubt, which produces fear. In such a state, the enemy can render us inept in living out our God-given purpose. The Lord does not want to us to live as a slave to fear (see II Timothy 1:7). On the other hand, Satan might scheme to keep us so busy that we have little time to stop and assess what God’s will is in a given matter. So we must protect our vulnerable heart with God’s breastplate of righteousness. Here we can see the significance of being aware of what we think and feel, why we think and feel that way, as well as discerning what God wills for us to do with our thoughts and feelings.
If you would like to discover more on how to resist the devil, explore my book, The Conditioned Mind. Be blessed, my friends!
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