While reading some of prophet Ken Visscher’s writings recently I was reminded of the critical importance of properly wearing our spiritual armor. Paul teaches about this as follows:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. (Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV)

First, notice that the purpose for putting on our spiritual armor is “to be strong in the LORD and in the power of his might.” We are not strong in or within ourselves. Even our own righteousness and good deeds are as filthy rags in God’s sight. This purpose reveals the attitude in which we must approach our warfare. “Not by man’s might, not by man’s power, but by my Spirit,” says the LORD. Let us confess, then, that we do not don nor maintain our spiritual armor by the strength of our human might. Le us allow God to dress us by “putting on” our armor in faith. We cannot see the clothing of our warfare. We can only believe we wear it and that it protects us by faith. Without faith no one can please God.

Second, consider why wearing this spiritual armor is even necessary. It is so that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. God calls Christians to spiritual war, not physical war, and yet for much of the 2,000 years since Christ people who claim they serve him have tried to implement his kingdom through carnal means. Thus Christians formed natural alliances with national governments. And now Christianity en mass appears as the harlot who rides the beast (of men’s governments inspired and empowered by the devil and his spiritual wickedness in high places). Harlot Christianity committed adultery with Babylon, and Babylon (men’s satanic governments) have now begun to torment and persecute her.

Instead, she (and all within her who call themselves Christian) should have donned and remained clothed in the armor of God. Paul first instructs us to put on the girdle of truth. God designed this girdle to protect our most sensitive area, our loins, our center of procreative power. Why do we first dress ourselves in truth? Jesus said, “Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.” (John 17:17) God’s word, God’s truth, sets us apart for his use. Until we acknowledge God and his Word (Jesus) and that his word spoken through the Scriptures is truth we cannot serve God. Nay, we cannot even walk  or talk in his name. God established truth, therefore, as the foundation for everything one does in his name. When we put on truth we determine that we do not serve lies or the father of lies.

Concerning those who persecuted him Jesus said, “You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44) John went on to add,

I have not written unto you because you know not the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son. Whosoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father: but he that confesses the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:21-23 KJ2000)

The word translated “denies” above is from the Greek word αρνεομαι arneomai (ar-neh’-om-ahee). That word literally means “to contradict.” Thus John tells us that a liar is anyone who contradicts the Father and his Son, Jesus. In fact he calls such a one an “antichrist.” Anyone who contradicts Jesus in his thoughts and actions cannot have a relationship with God.

Anyone, however, who confesses the Son (Jesus Christ) also has a relationship with the Father. The Greek word for confess is ομολογεω homologeo (hom-ol-og-eh’-o) and means “to speak the same word as.” This means that one really “confesses” that Jesus is LORD and Savior only if  he also speaks the same things that Jesus speaks. What does Jesus speak? He speaks truth and only truth. This is why the girdle of truth must be the first piece of armor every Christian puts on.