(Ephesians 6:14) “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist..."
Have you ever tried on football pants? They are not like fitted jeans. They are designed to accomodate multiple body styles and waist sizes. So what is it that keeps a player from being caught on the field with their pants down? A BELT! Belts have many functions but three stand out to me today.
1. CONNECTS
A belt is one of the most overlooked pieces of football gear but it's incredibly important. Pants are designed with loops. They are manufactured with the concept of a belt being used. Every person has been created with the capacity to have a relationship with Truth. And truth is defined by Jesus when he said....
(John 14:6 NLT) “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
The belt that we need to apply to our life that will keep us from being caught in life without our pants down is to rightly be tied to Truth. How does this happen...one of the keys is falling in love with the Bible.
(2 Timothy 3:15 NLT) “You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.”
The scriptures give us wisdom. If they are important for helping us come to Christ, how much more important are they when it comes to living for Christ?
2. CORRECTS
(2 Timothy 3:16 NLT) “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true ... It corrects us when we are wrong...”
Those who love the Bible are those who love becoming more and more like Christ. The Bible will teach us that God loves to find weakness in us. He loves it when we realize those areas and turn to Him for strength and stamina.
A belt takes lose fitting pants and helps them to correctly fit individual people. When was the last time that we allowed God to correct us?
3. DIRECTS
A belt helps keep pants facing in the right direction. It keeps them from sliding from one side to the other. Left alone, pants move and response our movement. But a belt directs their presentation.
(Psalm 37:23 NLT) “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Through the Bible, God will direct our lives and keep us going forward in a positive way. Those who live life tossed from one extreme to the next - from one issue to the next - one fire to the next fire may be those who are living life without direction. To those who follow Christ, that direction from a relationship with Him in prayer and study.
(Psalm 3:5-6 NIV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
What are you putting your trust in? What are you using to gain direction for your life?
4. PROTECTS
For those who struggle with being standing in the midst of pressure, be encouraged today!
(2 Thessalonians 3:3) “the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”
(Psalm 37:23 NLT) “Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he who sustains you. I have made you and I will cary you; ... I will rescue you.”
So, what is under the armor? YOUR WAIST
Have you ever thought about the fact that your waist is one of the keys to your flexibility? What is it that allows us to walk through a doorway that lower than normal? Our ability to bend - be flexible at our waist.
The truth of God will allow us to be flexible in a time of great transition and stress.
Not only does our waist give us flexibility to but it is a source of great power. The key to hitting a drive over 300 yards is to turn at your waist. This action builds up connect energy that is released on the downswing.
Rightly having truth in our lives give us the ability to generate positive momentum in our lives.
Lastly, have you ever thought about the fact that you will only be able to move forward in the direction you waist determines? Try to move forward wil twisted at the waist and you will see it is impossible. Our waist determines our direction.
Likewise, when we have Truth buckled and rightly applied in our lives, it will set the course of our direction and ensure that will follow the gameplan of God for our lives.
How securely is Truth buckled around you? If you are tired of getting caught in life with your pants down, put the Truth of Christ in the proper place in your life and watch things begin to turn around.
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