Armor of God: Loins girt about by truth

Dear Readers,

I have been impressed upon to make an armor of God series. The biggest question for me was: where to start? My first instinct was head to feet. Even now as I write this my mind recalls the Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes song I learned in Primary (Sunday school for children between ages 2 and 11).

However, it has been pointed out to me that the order as set forth in the scriptures has a twofold emphasis. First and most obvious is the scripture contain how the Lord wants the order to go. Second is that the order is similar to how one would actively dawn the armor.

First: loins are girt by truth. This is like putting on one's pants and securing them with a belt.

Second: breastplate of righteousness. For those who don't wear the shirts tucked in, it makes sense that the shirt would go on after pants,

Third: feet sod with preparation. Once you are "dressed" one puts on their shoes so they can walk around.

Fourth: shield of faith. To see clearly and be nimble enough to make sure the straps of the shield are secured on the arm, unobscured vision and a free arm are optimal.

Fifth: helmet of salvation. With one arm secured by a shield, one would need their free arm to place the helm upon their head.

Sixth: sword of the Spirit. Having dawned all of the armor and having one free hand remaining, it clasps and draws the sword, completing the set.

(Ephesians 6:13-17, Doctrine and Covenants 27:15-18)

Now, there are two more that are only found in the account in Isaiah 59: The garments of vengeance and the cloak of zeal. For me, in the King James Version, it is important that there is a semicolon separating these two from the rest of the armor (Isaiah 59:17).

Image Link

For those aware of the anti-suicide trend of getting semicolon tattoos, the semicolon represents an artistic and literary choice. It separates complete thoughts and could be interchanged with a period, but the writer chose not to end, but continue on.

Thus, in the context of this scripture we can see that these two are separate from the rest but the author, or rather the translator or scribe chose to bring these together. As for me, it appears as though Isaiah is talking about the Messiah and distinguishes between the armor that all of us can put on, and the armor Christ has.

Romans 12:19 "Vengeance is mine... saith the Lord..." If the garments of vengeance are His, then it leads that the cloak of zeal is also His. It is interesting though, for garments or clothing would go on before the belt and the cloak or cape after the armor is complete. Thus also hinting that Christ is the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, Alpha and Omega.

Therefore, in concurrence with scripture, I will be saving those for last, separate from the others that we are encouraged to wear.

This brings me to this first article of clothing and armor: Loins girt about by truth.

Gird Up Your Loins Image Link

There is an ancient Israel saying of "gird up your loins". To understand this properly one has to realize how the people dressed back in those days. The clothing of a male in ancient Israel was a robe, similar to a dress, that end a few inches above the ankle. As one would imaging, this style of clothing poses some restrictions in movement. Thus, if there was a hard or strenuous labor to perform, a man would reach down between his legs and grab the back part of the bottom hem. Pulling the fabric up, kind of like a diaper, he would then stuff or fold it into his belt, sash, or girdle. Wherefore, "gird up your loins" signifies preparing to embark in a mighty work.

Duckster's medieval knight armor parts, edited to include "faulds" original Image Link

What better example of mighty work than a life or death battle. In my own mind, usually I think of armor as that of medieval knights, clad in shining armor. Their armor included faulds which are two leaf like sheets of metal that over lap slightly, proving protection primarily to the thighs, but also the groin.

Romans in Britain Image Link

Yet it is more likely that when this armor of God was recounted in Ephesians by Paul, a Roman citizen, that he had the centurions in mind. The roman balteus or belt, has a fibula or buckle to hold them up, and baltea covered in bulla (metal studs) to protect the loins. It also has pugio which are suspension rings to attach a scabbard.

Kult of Athena Image Link

With these parts, the balteus serves to secure the tunic down to the body providing relative modesty and provides armor like protection to a vital vulnerable area as well as support to carry the sword in the scabbard. It is important it is to protect one's groin, not only because of the tenderness of testicles for men, but primarily because of the femoral artery and the external iliac vein. With one of these blood vessels punctured, an individual can bleed out in minutes.

Beyond the practical sense of physical armor, there is the doctrine it alludes to. In the case of this covering, a connection can be drawn to modesty and therefore chastity. With modest attire, we cover our nakedness, which God Himself referenced when he gave Adam and Eve coats of skins (Genesis 3:21). Today, for endowed members of the LDS church, we were a temple garment for a similar reason. It serves as a standard of modesty as well as a reminder of the covenants we made in the temple. Though the garment length has changed in these latter days, from those of long-johns to more knee length, it is important to note that it has not digressed further than the "linen breeches" the sons of Aaron would wear while in the tabernacle of ancient Israel (Exodus 28:42), in order to accommodate the ever changing modern styles.

Some may wonder why modesty is important. From the social aspect, our appearance is often how others judge us. It can also be an expression on how we see ourselves. God wants us to esteem ourselves and our bodies as something worth protecting, worth honoring, and worth sharing only with someone that would treat our bodies with equal amount of care and respect. This is not to say that judging people for how they dress is okay. Usually, the only person that I hold up to my standards is me. One most notable standard I have for myself is that I don't remove my shirt to swim. Of course there are exceptions like employers having standards for their employees, and when choosing friends and a spouse, but generally standards should come from one's own morals for one's own behavior.

Alas, this brings us to the most sexual of the ten commandments: Thou shalt not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14). Even though adultery is breaking a marriage covenant by having sexual relations with someone that is not their spouse, it was used synonymously with fornication as more emphasized in the New Testament (Matthew 5:32). With these two terms together, it seemed to cover the bases of refraining from premarital sex (fornication) and keeping faithful to one's spouse after marriage (adultery). Nevertheless, Christ holds us to an even higher standard: refraining from sexual thoughts. For he that looketh upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28).

I understand that refraining from lustful thoughts is difficult. As a twenty-four year old young man I have had many. Yet there is a blessing in this, for it is far easier to repent of the thought than the action, for more often than not, the act of adultery or fornication can have life changing consequences. Some of which are STD's (sexually transmitted diseases), breaking apart marriages and homes, and even creating a life.

Though homosexual and lesbianic relationships can be based in love, these too violate God's laws as found in Leviticus (18:22). There is a saying that we don't choose who we fall in love with, and that is true. Indeed we are commanded to love all people even as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31). What we can choose is our actions, who we physically express that love towards, and in what manner. The church refuses none, including those who struggle with homosexuality from all the blessings God has to offer. Yet it holds to its standards, God's standards, as declared in The Family: A Proclamation to the World, "We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife."

Though it is true that sin is missing the mark, and that God is love, it is incorrect to assume that having love for another human being and expressing it sexually is automatically accepted of Him. The second great commandment is to love thy neighbor as thyself (Mark 12:31), in this practicing homosexuals hit the mark and do not sin. Where they do sin is the first great commandment to love God with all their heart, might, mind, and soul (Mark 12:30). For, though they may love God, Christ's words are irrefutable, "if ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) Having love and expressing love are very different.

To help expand an explain this law, the Doctrine and Covenants includes "or anything like unto it" while speaking of adultery (Doctrine and Covenants 59:6). Not only are lustful thoughts extensions of this law, but all sexual behavior outside of a legal and lawful marriage between a man and a woman. This is why the plague of pornography is such a terrible blight. It can trigger lustful thoughts and lead to self indulgent actions under the promise of no consequences. The lies of not hurting anyone is far from the truth. Masturbation is abuse of the soul (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland "Personal Purity", Teachings of the Presidents:Spencer W. Kimball Chapter 17: The Law of Chastity). The chemicals released in the brain, such as oxytocin, form a bond or connection, and when an individual is connected to something not real in such a powerful way, it leaves sadness, emptiness and un-fulfillment. Also, the exposure to intimate parts of strangers cheapens the experience of sexual intimacy with one's soul mate. It can lead to unrealistic expectations and a constant comparison that can lead the way to darkness and loneliness.

For this cause, we have a document called, For the Strength of Youth which addresses modesty and sexual purity including the standards and advice of: "Your body is sacred. Respect it and do not defile it in any way. Through your dress and appearance, you can show that you know how precious your body is... When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you invite the companionship of the Spirit and you can be a good influence on others. Your dress and grooming influence the way you and others act. Never lower your standards of dress. Do not use a special occasion as an excuse to be immodest. When you dress immodestly, you send a message that is contrary to your identity as a son or daughter of God. You also send the message that you are using your body to get attention and approval." (Dress and Appearance). "Physical intimacy between husband and wife is beautiful and sacred. It is ordained of God for the creation of children and for the expression of love between husband and wife... Treat others with respect, not as objects used to satisfy lustful and selfish desires. Before marriage, do not participate in passionate kissing, lie on top of another person, or touch the private, sacred parts of another person's body, with or without clothing." (Sexual Purity).

Not only is simply lying upon the body of another person part of chastity, but there are other intimacies other than sexual that should be reserved to spouses and families. As a missionary, there were a few times that it was difficult explaining to an unmarried couple that they either have to get married or live separately before they can get baptized. Of course there is the clear reason that cohabitation is a violation of the law of chastity because they are living together they have increased opportunities to fornicate (Elder Dallin H. Oaks "Love and Law"). However, the argument is also clear that as two adults, it doesn't matter where they live, if they want to have sex they can find a way. This lead me to ponder and soul search in prayer to discover why this standard is in place. It seems as though there are intimacies and intimate circumstancing that occurs within the walls of a home that God reserves for married couples and rearing a family.

I know of an individual that once said that the standards of the church are too strict, that all kids and young adults masturbate and experiment sexually, and by requiring abstinence and sexual purity the church places them into a position where it is most beneficial to lie. The truth is that it is insulting and disrespectful to say that we as human beings cannot control our sexual urges, whether as youth or as adults.

However, there is a valid argument hidden within this bleak view of humanity. There are few sins that God has labeled in degrees of abhorrence and unforgivably. They are: adultery, murder, and denying the Holy Ghost. The obvious reason is that adultery can lead to the creation of a life, something that cannot be undone with committing a worse sin of murder and can be incredibly emotional and taxing during the repentance process either giving up the child or raising it as a couple or alone as a single parent. The more concealed reason includes the many other ways the sin is committed. Lies and deceit follow this sin like flies on a corpse. Peace of mind is lost, always wondering when and where secrets will be discovered. It includes spending time and hard earned money on pornography and prostitutes. It includes the violence of rape.

In essence, yes, sexual sins place individuals in a position to lie, but if they have committed such sins, telling the truth is the only way to heal, to work on and fully repent of the sin. Indeed, truth is the way to set them free.

No wonder God has said that we need to have our loins girt about by truth. As with the roman balteus, truth protects us from the effects of sexual sins. It is has to be tailored to each individual, for the standards of sexual purity, modesty, and abstinence have to be yours otherwise there are a plethora of ways to be sorely smitten. Then, greatest of all, it is required to hold and house the sword of the Spirit. I am not saying that it is required to use or feel the Holy Ghost, but having a clean and worthy vesicle to house the Spirit of God is the only way for the power of God to be fully and completely flowing and unhindered in your life.

Alas, there is one last question to ask: what is truth?

Eternal truth, God's truth, things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24). This is the truth that is relevant. This is the truth that sets you free. Actions committed, thoughts indulged, and all the wonderful doctrines, laws and miracles of God.

Truth has also been compared to light. As with Elder Bednar's (A member of the quantum of the twelve apostles) videos on Patterns of Light, revelation can come like light and warmth. Intelligence, or the light of truth, cannot be created or made (Doctrine and Covenants 93:29). As illustrated in cartoons, a light-bulb over an individual's head represents their getting a good, or "bright" idea. I have felt this feeling before. It is pleasant and exciting. It is a moment of pure revelation. Truths and ideas flowing into one's mind like flicking a switch. It doesn't happen often, indeed usually knowledge and wisdom is gained gradually, from experimenting, and repeated confirmations from the Spirit of God with our spirits. Some things it takes years to learn, others lifetimes. And yet, truth is still truth.

Too often, people rely on their own subjective truth. Moral relativism is one of the largest growing fads. Though I am intrigued by the "truths" of different religions, of political views, philosophies and of lifestyles; I have seen that there are real, pure and undeniable truths out there. In my darkest of times, I have felt so alone. In the physical world around me, I was alone. In my heart and mind, I was alone. And yet, I knew there is an irrevocable truth, there is a God. With this truth it brings a new meaning to my cries alone in the dark, "Where are you?! Why am I so alone?! Why can't I feel you there?!" It's not because He wasn't there. It's not because He doesn't love me.

It is because there is something, whether circumstances, sins, or our mortal inability comprehend the greatness of God, that remains, separating us from Him and His presence. In Mormon talk we call this the spiritual death, which only through Jesus Christ, partaking of the grace and mercy of His atonement through repentance, that we can be saved from this second death.which death is the death of the spirit, being cut off from God and is an effect of The Fall as is the first death, mortal death, the death of the body.

I hope that you can see, as I do, that having our loins girt about by truth is being clean, being honest and pure, so we can be the warriors of God, even if we cannot feel Him there, we can know He is there and that He loves us.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Next: Breastplate of Righteousness