Girded with Truth
A Sermon on Ephesians 6:14
Originally preached March 4, 1962
Scripture
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Sermon Description
What is truth? In a world where truth is twisted into what people want it to be, how does one know what is really true versus what is distorted to fit certain views? Knowing the truth of God’s word is essential. This is why when Paul speaks to Christians about the armor of God, he urges believers to gird themselves with truth. In this sermon on the belt of truth from Ephesians 6:14 titled “Girded With Truth,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks on what it looks like to gird oneself with the truth of God’s word. He explains how truth is not something one should hold onto lightly, but is something that must be sought after and fought for. The Christian must diligently search for truth no matter the cost and never let it go once it has been found. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how Christians need to intentionally search the Holy Scriptures for the truth to build their lives upon, not just read through the way one would a newspaper. But most importantly, he emphasizes the fact that they must never compromise the truth no matter the cost, but instead must fight for it, because without girding oneself with the truth, the Christian cannot stand in the day of battle.
Sermon Breakdown
- The first point Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes is that we must have a close attachment to the truth, not a loose one. We must "gird" ourselves with truth.
- We must realize the importance and vitality of truth. Truth is essential to the Christian life.
- We must take time and effort to understand truth. We must understand terms like justification, sanctification, and glorification. We must understand the whole of Scripture.
- We must be honest with the truth. We must not change the meaning of biblical terms or only accept parts of the truth we like.
- We must apply the truth to ourselves. The truth must govern our whole lives, even if it is painful.
- We must hold onto the truth at all costs. We must not be afraid of scholarship, persecution, being called "narrow" or a "fool."
- We must not compromise the truth. We must not compromise for the sake of unity or peace. Compromise is a "prostitution of the truth."
- We must "fight" for the truth. We must "dare to be a Daniel" and stand up for the truth.
- We must follow the example of Peter, John, and Paul who stood up for the truth in the face of persecution and did not compromise.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Dr. Lloyd-Jones' Teaching on "Having Your Loins Girt About with Truth"
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by "girding your loins with truth" in Ephesians 6:14?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "girding your loins with truth" refers to having a firm, fixed relationship with biblical truth—not a loose attachment. He explains it means: "The truth must be in such a position to us that it rarely does hold us together." This is similar to how a soldier's belt or girdle would hold everything in place, giving confidence and preparing one for action. He quotes from Shakespeare's Hamlet, saying we must "grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel" when explaining how firmly we should attach ourselves to truth.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe modern Christians have a casual relationship with doctrine?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies this as a problem of our age, saying: "This is an indolent age. This is a flabby age. Intellectually, in particular, it's an age in which people don't like to exert themselves." He observes that people prefer an "easy gospel" that requires little effort or thought, wanting everything in "tabloid form." This casual approach to doctrine leads to indifference, which he quotes Edmund Burke as calling "at least half infidelity." He warns that this relaxed attitude toward doctrinal precision undermines the entire Christian faith.
What practical steps does Dr. Lloyd-Jones recommend for "girding ourselves with truth"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines several practical steps: 1. Realize the all-importance of biblical truth to Christian life 2. Take time and trouble to acquaint yourself with truth through diligent study 3. Be honest with the truth - don't evacuate biblical terms of their meaning 4. Accept the whole truth, not just selective parts you find agreeable 5. Apply the truth to yourself personally, not just intellectually 6. Hold onto truth at all costs, without compromising 7. Don't be afraid of being called narrow-minded for standing firm
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones address the tension between scholarship and biblical faith?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones affirms that biblical truth "has got nothing to do at all with scholarship, thank God." He states: "I wouldn't hesitate to take the simplest saint who is really regenerate and who knows his Bible. I wouldn't hesitate to put him up against all the professors of theology in Oxford and Cambridge together. If they are not regenerate men... He knows the truth. They don't." He encourages believers not to be intimidated by scholarship, saying: "There is no knowledge or learning or culture or development which has taken place in the last hundred years which has made any difference at all to the truth taught in the Bible."
What warning does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give about theological compromise?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns against compromising truth "for the sake of peace" or "for the sake of unity." He identifies that many compromise because they ask, "Who am I to stand out against what the majority are doing?" He quotes Walter of the Missouri Synod who described this compromising tendency as "the daughter of rationalism wearing a Christian garb" and "the sister of Romanism with a Protestant mask." Lloyd-Jones sees this as a dangerous trend where human reasoning is placed above biblical authority while maintaining Christian terminology as a cover.
How should Christians respond to opposition when standing for truth?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages believers to "dare to be a Daniel" - to stand alone if necessary when facing opposition. He references Peter and John's response to authorities in Acts 4:19, where they said, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." Lloyd-Jones reminds his listeners that the apostles treated opposing authorities "with disdain" when truth was at stake. He challenges Christians to be so committed to truth that they would "sooner lose your life than deny it," ready to face persecution like believers in countries where preaching could lead to imprisonment.
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.