The Belt of Truth, chapters 4-6

The wind of every whim promises freedom, so we’re quick to let the breeze carry us where it will and shape us how it may. There’s a catch, though, and we realize we’ve slowly drifted into the enemy’s briar patch of distortion. His lying thorn bush frays us at the edges, and his deceptive burrs attach themselves and won’t let go. 

They won’t let us go. 

But the belt of truth gathers loose ends in its embrace, cinching down what otherwise strays and snags. Thoughts, emotions, desires, beliefs - all of them billowing - will either get tangled in the devil’s lair or be taken captive under the bandwidth of truth. Restriction is inevitable. It comes by the hand of the enemy or by the belt of truth, but only one option guarantees freedom. 

As we conclude our search for the belt of truth in the book of Ephesians, may we choose to be held together by truth we discover in chapters 4-6: 

Lie: I can live however I want now that I’m a believer.

Truth: I have a responsibility in Christ that calls for specific character qualities. 4:1-3

Lie: Everybody should be/think like me.

Truth: Grace gives oneness in salvation, but diversity in its application. 4:4-12

Lie: Everyone else might have a part to play in Christ’s body, but I don’t. 

Truth: I have a unique role in the growth and maturity of the body of Christ. 4:12-16

Lie: I can keep old patterns and habits that are just part of who I am.

Truth: Life looks different if I’m learning to be like Chist. 4:17-24

Lie: God doesn’t really care about little sins.

Truth: My new self in Christ completely replaces the old self. 4:24-32

Lie: I can define love. 

Truth: Christ Himself defines love. 5:1-6

Lie: A corner of darkness in my life is fine.

Truth: In Christ, we’re children of light. 5:7-14

Lie: A little foolishness is normal. 

Truth: The Spirit leads with wisdom. 5:15-21

Lie: The Bible promotes domineering leadership in marriage.

Truth: The flourishing of His bride is central to Christ’s self-sacrificial leadership, so a husband who does not have that goal isn’t leading like Christ. 5:21-33

Lie: God doesn’t notice how I treat people in certain contexts of my life.

Truth: The Lord is concerned with how I interact at home and at work. 6:1-9

Lie: My work is too insignificant to be meaningful.

Truth: The Lord rewards what I do on any scale, big or small. 6:8

Lie: I can manage this life.

Truth: Strength comes only from the Lord himself. 6:10

Lie: The devil is just too strong for me.

Truth: In Christ’s armor, I can stand against the devil. 6:11

Lie: Those people are the real problem.

Truth: The real enemy in my life is a spiritual one. 6:12,13

Lie: There’s too much to do to stop and pray.

Truth: Life in the Spirit is covered in prayer. 6:18-20

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

-Jesus

John 17:17