BELT OF TRUTH By Marion Smith

Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm, with the buckle of truth buckled around your waist.

Recently God gave me a story when I put on tight shoes. Tight shoes are no fun! Today, however, I I put on a belt that was too tight ! Ouch! That is a worse feeling than tight shoes, I do believe! I had to wear the belt, because it went with the outfit… so suffer through it I did! I let it out to the last notch, and it was tolerable as long as I stood up. If I sat down, however, something happened and it almost took my breath away. Boy, was that ever uncomfortable.

One part of the Armor of God is the belt of truth. Have you ever compromised it?? For instance, you're ready to have a day filled with truth and good news and then-something happens. Perhaps a friend asks you a question and the truthful answer would hurt her. You may reason… a little slanting of this one answer won't hurt, Lord, will it? A situation may arise when telling the truth puts you in an awkward
position… what do you do? Or perhaps your child asks you a question about the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus or the tooth fairy. How can you answer these questions without compromising your promise to God about not lying? Each time you fudge a little or slant the exactness, your belt of truth gets a little tighter. You feel uneasy in your spirit, and know you have not spoken accurately. Telling one white lie and then another builds a foundation for lies to roll off your tongue more easily each time. It is not a good habit to succumb to.

I do not have the answer about how you should speak to your friends in truth, or discuss delicate issues with your children. I do know, however, that God calls us to speak the truth, and we are to do so each and every day. That is why He told us about this "belt of truth" that we should wear every day- it is part of His armor to combat Satan. I know I need this piece of Holy armor, and pray I will never stretch or bend the truth in such a manner that it cuts of my breath, the way my belt did on my outfit today.