Fortify yourself with truth

I. Fortify with seven essentials of spiritual warfare

* Spirit-filled Christians take up the full armor of God daily!

  1. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:13).
  2. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.(2 Corinthians 10:3, 4).

II. Fortify with absolute truth of Jesus and Scripture

* Spirit-filled Christians immerse themselves in absolute truth!

  1. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth (Ephesians 6:14a).
  2. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13; see also Ephesians 4:15, 21, 24, 25; 5:9).
  3. Therefore, Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." Pilate said to Him, "What is truth"? (John 18:37-38a).
  4. So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:31, 32).

III. Fortify with moral truth of Godly character

* Spirit-filled Christians practice truthful integrity in their walk!

  1. Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart (1 Peter 1:22).
  2. Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things (1 John 3:18-20).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, February 15th, 2026.

Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions

Fortify yourself with truth

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Being fortified with truth is essential to our spiritual development and our victory in the battle. Discuss as a Life Group how you can be more reinforced with God's truth.

Getting Started:

  1. How well do you know the truth of Scripture (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 2:15) and what action steps are you taking to live out its moral teachings (James 1:22)?
  2. What are some biblical truths that you struggle with, both in understanding and in application? Why is being filled with the Holy Spirit critical in our girding our loins with truth (John 14:16-18, 26; 16:12-14)?

Discussing Truths:

  1. What did Jesus imply by saying, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free? (John 8:31, 32)?
  2. How did the Roman guard and the Old Testament metaphors stimulate Paul's imagery of the armor of God (Isaiah 59:17; Genesis 15:1)?
  3. In what way does Scripture act as a filter for you in determining what is true?
  4. What is involved in "girding our minds for action" (1 Peter 1:13) in the spiritual battle?
  5. Why do you think our culture (and many churches) have rejected the teaching about absolute truth?
  6. Discuss the difference between knowing, believing and doing the truth.
  7. What are some common ways that our adversary, the devil is seeking to deceive people today (John 8:42-45; 1 Peter 5:8)?

Now What? Application:

  1. Devote yourself to praying on the full armor of God every morning.
  2. Take specific actions to "gird your loins" by hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on God's Word and applying its truth to your life!