The One Habit That Can Keep You Christian Strong in your Thinking | Ephesians 6:13-14
“For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest.”
Ephesians 6: 13-14
Did you know 80% of the 60,000–80,000 thoughts you think per day will be negative according to scientific studies, and most of them are lies? Imagine the impact of letting lies dominate your constant mental traffic. We live in a world full of distractions, doubts, and deception. Have you ever noticed how quickly a single lie—whether whispered in your own mind or shouted by the culture around you—can throw you off balance? That’s why the Apostle Paul urges us in Ephesians 6:11 to “put on the whole armor of God.”
In this first message of our Spiritual Armor series, we look at the one habit that can keep you Christian Strong in your thinking: putting on the Belt of Truth.
Why the Belt of Truth Matters
The Belt of Truth isn’t just the first piece of armor mentioned—it holds everything else together. Without truth, all five other pieces of armor are nullified. In fact, once we fasten the Belt of Truth, we’re ready for the next piece, the Breastplate of Righteousness. Have you ever wondered what Scripture means by “imputed” versus “imparted” righteousness—and what role we play in it?
Remember the breastplate Maximus wore in the movie Gladiator? It covered the most vital areas—the heart, lungs, and other organs. Paul intentionally used the metaphor of a Roman soldier because, without truth in place, we leave key areas of our lives exposed to the enemy’s attack. Could this be why so many Christians stumble in their faith journey?
The Real Battle Is in the Mind
Scripture warns us about the enemy’s “fiery arrows” (Eph. 6:16)—the lies that pierce our thoughts and emotions. As Christian counselor Dr. Chris Thurman wisely wrote:
“Most of our unhappiness and emotional struggles are caused by the lies we tell ourselves. Until we identify these lies and replace them with the truth, emotional well-being is impossible.”
Truth vs. Today’s Digital World
Now add the digital revolution: 6,000–10,000 media messages flood our eyes and ears every single day. Most of them lack context, credibility, or integrity. Social media spreads falsehoods at lightning speed. And perhaps most concerning of all, our kids—already vulnerable to self-doubt—are shaped by endless screen time.
No wonder Paul calls us to gear up! The Belt of Truth is our defense against mental and spiritual overload.
Why This Message Matters
If you’ve ever felt weary in your faith or overwhelmed by constant negative thoughts, this message is for you. When we fasten the Belt of Truth daily, we run our race with endurance (Heb. 12:1–2), no longer weighed down by lies, but strengthened by the truth of God’s Word.
