"Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with Truth" (Ephesians 6:14)

Let's talk about the power of being girded! For the Christ follower, it's absolutely necessary. In the context of our passage, Paul is teaching about the spiritual warfare which comes to every Christ follower. When engaged in battle with Satan, our command is to "stand firm." How are we to do this? We have to understand and embrace that God has provided us with sufficient armor to combat and thwart the devil's schemes of taking advantage of us. That brings us to the purpose of the girdle for the Roman soldier of Paul's day. One reason for the girdle was to show his large medal decorations awarded for distinctions of valor and prowess during combat. Any approaching enemy, after getting an eyeball full of this girdle, would have second and even third thoughts about engaging such a person in battle! In the same way, our adversary, the devil, fears nothing as much as knowing that the Christ follower is girded with the truth of God's Word! Nothing is more crucial in the defense of the Christ follower than knowing and practicing the truth of God's Word. Appropriating and living out the truth of God's Word is not optional, but needed in order to "stand firm" against the temptations of the devil. We can't stand against our adversary if we're lacking honesty, truthfulness, and integrity of character, all of which come as we practice God's Word. We can't stand firm with guilty consciences. We can't stand firm with sin that we've refused to deal with! Walking in God's truth enables us to maintain the character and integrity of Jesus Christ in the midst of any attack of the devil! This is what it means to "stand firm against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). This is the power of being girded! Your move. Be encouraged!