The Strength of Sincerity

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:13-14, ESV).

The word ‘truth’ here in the “belt of truth” actually doesn’t mean the Word of God. Most people don’t realize this. The sword of the Spirit, mentioned later on in this series of verses, is called the Word of God. Truth here simply means sincerity. God has armor for us, and one of the first things he wants us to put on is sincerity. In other words, be real because you can’t be protected if you’re an actor.

Satan is the master actor, the master deceiver. He comes as an angel of light (see 2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

So any act of insincerity — act one way at church and another way at home, anything secret, anything hidden, anytime we cover up with a false exterior — that’s just like whistling for the enemy to come and attack.

He’s going to launch an attack against many of us at one point or another anyway, so why invite more of his attention?  How many of us, since we became a Christian, have gone through some battles with the enemy? How many of us have experienced spiritual warfare? It’s hard for some of us to even admit that because we’re afraid that someone will hear that and say, “Whoa, I thought you were victorious in Christ! What do you mean Satan’s attacking you?”

He attacked Jesus for 40 days and 40 nights! This is why the Bible says, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). You don’t know what the person beside you is going through, but if we can be honest and sincere with one another and encourage one another with God’s promises, we will be able to stand firm against our enemy.

^{Jim Cymbala began the Brooklyn Tabernacle with less than twenty members in a small, rundown building in a difficult part of the city. A native of Brooklyn, he is a longtime friend of both David and Gary Wilkerson.}