Spiritual Warfare, Part 7: Belt of Truth and Breastplate of Righteousness

Podcast Summary: Accidental Bible Scholar, Episode 41 (Spiritual Warfare, Part 7) In the 2nd half of last weeks episode, Jeff Ward and Randy Spear continue their Ephesians 6 series by focusing on verses 13–14, discussing “taking up the full armor of God” and standing, by fastening the belt of truth and putting on the breastplate of righteousness. The belt of truth holds everything together. It exposes the enemy’s primary schemes: lies, accusation, shame, guilt and condemnation. The breastplate of righteousness is not our performance. It is Christ’s own righteousness given to us (the great exchange of 2 Corinthians 5:21). Acting right is the fruit of already being righteous, not the way we become righteous. The enemy’s strategy here is accusation. Romans 8 declares there is now no condemnation and that God Himself will not bring a charge against His elect. Zechariah 3 pictures the high priest Joshua standing in filthy garments while Satan accuses him; God rebukes Satan, removes the filthy clothes, and clothes him in a white robe.  Colossians 2:14–15 shows the legal “certificate of indebtedness” that once gave Satan a charge against us was nailed to the cross and destroyed. The accusations that were once true are now legally false. “Show me where it’s written” Randy says often! The result is sonship, bold access to the throne, and freedom.