#1500. Put On The Belt And Breastplate (22/4/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

What are the belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness, and how can we put them on? 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

To stand firm in the spiritual battle and in the ‘day of evil’, we must put on the full armour of God. Today, we consider the first two pieces: the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness.

1. Put on the belt of truth

When Paul wrote Ephesians (likely while under house arrest in Rome), he would have had daily contact with Roman soldiers. So when he writes, ‘Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…’ (Ephesians 6:14), he is drawing on familiar, practical imagery.

The belt was not decorative - it secured the soldier’s tunic and held the rest of the armour in place. Without it, everything would be loose, unstable, and ineffective.

In the same way, truth must be central to who we are. This means both believing the truth of Scripture and living truthfully - with sincerity and integrity - in all our dealings. It is knowing the truth and doing what is true.

This is active. God provides the truth, but we must choose to ‘put it on’. Will we fill our minds with God’s truth and seek to live it out with integrity?

2. Put on the breastplate of righteousness

The breastplate protected the soldier’s chest - his vital organs. Without it, he would be dangerously exposed.

This, too, has a double aspect. First, it is the righteousness we receive as a gift through faith in Christ (justification). Second, it is the righteousness we pursue in daily life - living in a way that is right and just before God.

We must hold both together. We stand secure because of Christ’s righteousness, and we live rightly because we belong to Him.

Response

Both personally and as a church, we must put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness.

Regarding the belt of truth:

• How can you put God’s truth more centrally in your life?

• Are you a truthful and sincere person in what you say and do?

Regarding the breastplate of righteousness:

• Are you keeping the gospel - God’s gift of righteousness through faith - clearly in view?

• Do you allow this truth to dispel both condemnation and pride?

• Are you pursuing a righteous and just life? Are your work, rest, play, and relationships shaped by God’s will?

Community Group Study

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we resumed our series: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

We reflected on the vital truth that we are to seek to be strong in God by using the resources that He provides - The armour of God. 

Please read Ephesians 6:10-17 and discuss:

• Personal Reflection - From Sunday’s message and this passage, what stood out to you? Was there anything the Spirit particularly impressed on your heart?

• Why be strong in the Lord? - What does this passage say about the reasons we have to be strong in the Lord? 

• The armour  - The armour of God can be summarised: 

  • i. The belt of truth – Believing the truth of Scripture and living truthfully with others.

  • ii. The breastplate of righteousness – Trusting that we are made righteous by grace, and living righteously.

  • iii. The gospel shoes – Being ready to share the gospel of peace, standing firm in it when accused, and applying it in our relationships.

  • iv. The shield of faith – Holding firmly to the truths of the faith and actively trusting God in times of attack.

  • v. The helmet of salvation - Assurance of salvation - our hope.

  • vi. The sword of the Spirit - The ’Spirit-led' (prophetic) use of scripture to attack lies

What particular pieces of the armour resonate with you at this time in your life and why? 

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• Armour for mission -  What aspects of the armour ensure that, if put on, keep us effective in reaching our community for Jesus? 

• Sharing Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.

• Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?

Let’s Pray Together

Let’s pray for one another in light of what we’ve studied and bring any other needs before God.

• Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.

• General prayer: From our study, or from personal needs, how do people want prayer?