Are You Wearing the Belt of Truth or the Bridle of Religion?

by Christy Snell ~ August 2006 ~ John 8:32

Have you ever thought of the difference between a bridle and a belt? I woke up this morning thinking of the difference and examining it over and over in my mind. A bridle is restricting.   But a belt, much like the truth, holds things together. When you think of a bridle on a horse, you think of control. I have certainly seen that to be true of religion. Religion is a very controlling entity. However, Jesus said, “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32).  

Jesus warned us against the leaven of the Pharisees. I know He’s warned me recently. Why, because religion stifles, tears down and hinders the work of God. Maybe you are like me, and you have been called to build the Kingdom. You’re called to work towards the edifying of the body of Christ.  Have you ever come across religion in the process? I am sure you have; we all have. Religion is Satan’s chief tool in the church. The devil has an open door policy in the church by way of religion, and he will, as long as we keep opening the door for him.

For starters, we can fight the good fight of Faith. Paul says very emphatically that he can say he has fought the fight and run well the race, pressing on towards the High Call of God that is in Christ Jesus. We are called to take up our mantle and do all that God has called us to do.  Jesus never said it would be easy, and He didn’t say “build it in a day”.  However, He tells us time and time again to persevere.  The LORD Himself admonishes us to not grow weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap a harvest if we do not faint.  I don’t know about you, but often times I become weary in the battle.  It is good then to be reminded of some more truth from Psalms, the Battle is the Lord’s, Our God is a Strong Tower a refuge in the time of trouble; and from 1 Corinthians, His grace is sufficient in our time of weakness.  In fact, His strength is perfected in our weaknesses!

Next, we must remember our tools for battle.  Ephesians 6 — the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, the breastplate of righteousness, the Sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God), our feet prepared with willingness for the Gospel and the Belt of Truth.  Do you know enough of the truth to hold this suit of Armour in place?  We need to know the truth for each one of our Armour.  You need the truth for salvation, for righteousness, for sharing the gospel and to develop your shield of faith.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  The truth is our sword.  You cannot effectively fight without truth.

Finally, Paul says, my brothers (& sisters), stand.  (1 Corinthians 15:58) When you have done all there is to do, stand firm.  You may say, nobody ever won a war just standing.  Christians can.  It happens every day.  On the mission field in remote areas where lives are threatened, in homes where the gospel truth divides mothers and sons, fathers from daughters, on street corners where those faithfully called to witness do so without shame or regret and in churches every Sunday where the truth is not compromised no matter what.  We can stand, or Christ wouldn’t have commanded us to stand.  What I would term as a New Testament commandment.  When you have done all there is to do, simply stand.

Christy Snell is a proud Mother of three children and one grown daughter. She is on staff at Agape Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, and a published Writer. Her passion for ministry is to see people truly changed through an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ!