The Battle is in the Mind: Girding your Waist with Truth

This battle with cancer isn’t completely in my mind as it’s obviously a physical battle as well, but for me at this moment, my main battle is in my mind as I prepare for surgery this week.  This new journey is so foreign to me and coupled with the shock that’s surrounding it all, my mind is bombarded with thoughts and truthfully, many of them are negative.  I’m having to constantly wield the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God to fight against these thoughts.  So this morning, first thing, I’m reminded to put on the full armor of God so that I may withstand the fiery darts of the enemy and to fight against the lies that he’s throwing at me.

Ephesians 6:10 – 20  tells us exactly what to do: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— ¹⁹ and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

As a starting point we must believe God and believe that His words are truth.  Once that has been established in our hearts and mind, we’re ready to move forward.  God’s word says that He has provided both offensive and defensive weapons for us to use in order to defeat the enemy and the lies that he whispers into our ears and minds.  We must use them all through the power of the Spirit in order to stand strong and victorious in our battles and trials.  These verses in Ephesians tell us to put on the whole armor of God which is to put on Jesus Christ.  Every part of the armor mentioned in these verses is a part of Jesus or a gift from Him, and we must apply and appropriate every gift that He has given to us.  As we obey and use His gifts, we are enabled to stand strong during the battle or trial.

First, we are to gird our waist with truth – the truth of God’s Word and the truth of who God is.  In order to understand this principle, it’s helpful to take a brief look at the clothing during Christ’s day.  Men and women alike wore tunics, and a girdle made of cloth or leather was placed at the waist to hold money, tools and other things.  The girdle was also used to hold up the tunic, especially the hem of the garment, when needed.  When men went into battle, the hem of their tunic was tucked into the girdle to make it shorter so that they could be free to run or jump, unencumbered by the clothing.

In this same way, we are to gird our waists with truth and Jesus, the Word, is the truth.  John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth,” and He said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 8:31 & 32 says, “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  This is exactly what happens when we gird our waist with the truth of Jesus Christ – we are set free!  We are set free to focus our thoughts on the truth of what the Bible says and the truth of who Jesus is.  We are then unencumbered by earthly issues and circumstances, and we are free to move forward in the Spirit of God and all that He has for us.  We are free to enjoy our relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and to grow more and more into the image of Jesus.  We are free to trust Him and free to walk by faith rather than sight.  

When you’re dealing with a diagnosis like cancer or any other serious trial, your life has been turned upside down and there is no longer a normal.  Because you’re so vulnerable, the enemy of God turns up the attacks through speaking lies into your mind.  But God has provided a solution and a way of victory through Jesus Christ.  It’s not easy to use these weapons when you’re in the midst of such a trial, but take courage and engage in the fight.  Cry out to God and speak His truth.  Memorize Scripture.  Play worship music.  Enlist the help of brothers and sisters who will speak the truth of God to you.  You are not alone in this battle and you will be victorious through Jesus Christ.

Dear Father, Thank you for giving us the weapons that we need to win the battles against the enemy.  Thank you for giving us everything that we need in order to be victorious during these really hard battles.  Please give us courage and strength to engage in the battle and provide us with brothers and sisters who will come along side of us to hold up our arms when we can’t and to wield the weapons of warfare when we’re too weak.  We thank you for the freedom that You give to us in and through Jesus Christ.  We cry out to You, O God, for your strength when we’re weak and feel like we can’t do this. The truth is that we can’t do it without You O God.  We need You so!  O how we need You.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Proverbs 3: 5 & 6    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. “ 

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”