The Gut Truth

When it comes to fashion, I may not be the best-dressed woman in town, but that suits me just fine. It’s taken me years to break in my blue jeans and t-shirts just right. Aside from a color change here and there, they are pretty much my standard attire and comfy as all get out.

But regarding things of the Spirit, I put forth extra effort to make sure the garments of my salvation and robe of righteousness God outfitted me with, stay in ship shape until the day I am fully clothed with my heavenly dwelling. [i]

I’m also purposeful to complete my spiritual ensemble by daily putting on the full armor of God. In fact, I rarely leave home without them. Which, more than once, has raised the question, “When did you actually take this armor off, Debbie, that you feel you must put it back on each day?”

Details, details . . . it’s so much more energy-saving to simply put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes than to figure out appropriate times for a wardrobe change. [ii] Every morning, without question, I put my armor on. Not once have I worried about layers of protective gear building up over time. In fact, I rather like wearing overlapping gear. I’ve never felt weighed down by them and can still get around pretty good with them on.

Besides, where would I stow everything if I took it all off before crawling into bed? Since faith is the substance of things hoped for, I’d say helmet, shoes, belt, breastplate, sword, and shield also take up literal real estate in the spirit realm. I certainly wouldn’t want to stumble over all of them in the dark on my way to the potty or have them too far away in case of emergency. Then there’s prayer. Do we dare set aside this hefty piece of our armor? [iii]

What if I were to decide to dress in my spiritual armor one day, and then go about my activities from that point on without ever giving them another thought? What good would they be? Days, perhaps weeks might pass and I’d be the best dressed show with no substance. 

All jesting aside, I feel more secure when consciously suiting up for whatever surprises and schemes the devil might throw at me each day. From slipping my feet into my gospel-of-peace shoes, to taking up the shield of faith, each piece of armor is purposely put into place. 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. [iv]

One piece might receive more attention than others, depending on the spiritual climate of the day. The helmet of salvation, for instance, not only covers my mind, but protects my eyes, ears, mouth, and my nose. That’s four of my five spiritual senses protected under one headpiece. The nose plays a significant role. Its function is to discern what’s going on spiritually behind the scenes. How else would we smell a rat in our midst? Or sense the fragrance of God’s Presence? Or perceive what pleases Him? [v] 

The belt of Truth, in particular, is foundational. As one who entered the Kingdom of God with all kinds of gut issues, this piece of armor interests me for obvious reasons. Loins are the center of our strength and vitality—both physically as in Jacob’s firstborn son, Reuben, my might, the first fruits of my strength, and spiritually as in God telling Job to Gird up your loins now like a man, and I will question you, and you shall answer Me. [vi]  

Experts say that “your brain and your gut are like besties. They talk about all kinds of things, from practical, physical matters to emotional ones.” [vii] I’m convinced that our loins are where the consuming nature of guilt and shame reside and the repercussions of unresolved issues of the mind and heart are stored. Add fear and anxiety to the mix, and a person experiences profound distress and turmoil of the soul. These collaborating intruders hunker down deep within, where no one sees them until the next trigger sets them off.

Anyone with a history of anxiety, fear, guilt, or shame understands all too well that ever-so-faint (and at times distinct) quiver at their core when triggered by uncertainties in life. [viii] There’s no mistaking it. The experience leaves you feeling distanced from God and vulnerable . . . my loins are filled with burning; and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. [ix]

In the book of Isaiah, the mightiest of kings were paralyzed with fear when face-to-face with their “unstoppable adversary”, Cyrus the Great. Their loins were ungirded (loosed), leaving them without courage and strength. [x]  

I lived in the shackles of that lack of inner peace for way too long. But no more. I found that too many of the quivers I've experienced point back to some fault in my belief system. Somewhere, for whatever reason, my mind and heart bought into a lie about God or about myself. That lie either claims that God is missing, inactive, or disinterested in my plight. Is He even able to help me? Or the lie claims I’ve failed Him in some irrevocable way. Both leave me feeling disconnected from Him and helplessly on my own.

To counteract this disabling mindset, God faithfully instills in me His Truth in my inward parts. Your word is truth. [xi] Every day I cinch up that belt of Truth over the core of my being. [xii] In the presence of Truth, lies are exposed, barriers (strongholds) erected against the Truth are identified and pulled down, and I am made free. Not just set free but made free to obey Christ. [xiii]

Is there a fault in your belief system? Have you bought into some lie about God or about yourself? Listen to your gut and get that armor back on. Cinch up that belt of Truth.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth. [xiv]

[i] Isaiah 61:10; Galatians 3:27; Romans 3:22; 2 Corinthians 5:4

[ii] Ephesians 6:10

[iii] Ephesians 6:18

[iv] Ephesians 6:13

[v] Song of Solomon 1:3; Hebrews 5:14; 2 Corinthians 2:15–16

[vi] Genesis 35:11; Genesis 49:3; Job 38:3

[vii] my.clevelandclinic.org – What Is the Gut-Brain Connection? 9/20/2023

[viii] Psalm 69:23

[ix] Psalm 38:7–11

[x] Isaiah 45:1

[xi] John 17:17

[xii] Psalm 51:6

[xiii] John 8:31–32; 2 Corinthians 10:3–5

[xiv] Ephesians 6