Feb 1, 2025
A sermon by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Ephesians 6.14 https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book…
“Armor of God” playlist: • Introduction ― A Sermon on Ephesians …
“Without a knowledge of what we believe and whom we believe, we are already undone, we are already defeated.” ―Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Ephesians 6.14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…
Sermon Description
Every piece of the believer’s armor is critical for the Christian life.
In this sermon on Ephesians 6.14 titled “Loins Girt About with Truth,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones delivers this sermon on the six pieces of “the armor of God.”
First are the “loins girt with truth,” then the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. This is not an exhaustive list, but a highlighting of vital elements for spiritual warfare.
There is no hope for the fight unless first put on are the “loins girt with truth.”
In the apostles’ time, people wore long flowing garments, but loose clothing hinders efficient movement. Soldiers braced their clothing together with a girdle in order to move without encumbrance.
The spiritual meaning here is for the mind. Some think “truth” means sincerity or candor, but the foundation of the Christian’s armor cannot be their own sincerity and truthfulness.
The girdle, as well as the sword, is the word of God. Christians must be wholly governed by truth, which is revealed in Christ Jesus. This truth is not uncertainty, doubt, or lack of clarity. It is a settled conviction, knowing whom and what to believe.
The devil tries to create confusion and uncertainty and to repel him, Christians must be “girt about” with truth.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul exhorts Christians to put on the whole armor of God in order to stand against the wiles of the devil.
- The first piece of armor is the girdle of truth. This means having a firm grasp of biblical truth and doctrine.
- The girdle gives a soldier freedom of movement and a sense of security. For Christians, truth gives us freedom from sin and confidence in our faith.
- There are two aspects of truth: objective (the Bible) and subjective (our understanding and belief). We need both.
- The girdle of truth means we have a mastery of the truth and are mastered by the truth. It controls our whole life.
- To have our loins girded with truth means we have a settled conviction about the truth with no uncertainty or lack of clarity.
- The devil tries to confuse us and lead us into error, so we must know the truth to stand against him.
- The New Testament epistles were written to combat error and teach the truth. The early church councils also defined truth against heresy.
- Confessions and creeds are ways the church has girded itself with truth. They combat error and define essential doctrines.
- Without truth, we are like children “tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.” We must know the truth to stand firm.
- Truth is essential for withstanding the devil. We must know what and whom we believe to have victory.
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