The belt of truth gives us true strength to lift heavier burdens to stay longer in the battle, and to face even stronger foes. It keeps me anchored to something that remains unmovable. Although subjective experience changes for each person, objective truth is the same for everyone. Even when attacked and denied, and betrayed for a time, truth will always prevail in the end. With that certainty, you can do battle with the worst! When we’re honest with ourselves, and when we’re honest with God, it reinforces us in body, soul, and spirit. In addition, we need also to be honest with others. In the context of community, we find the basic human needs satisfied and the help and strength we need to fight our personal foes. The fact is we need each other. There are often failures and defeats that cripple us in our warfare, but with the help of others, we can get back into the fray of battle. The wisest man in the world, Solomon, said this (Ecclesiastes 4:10), “For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”
God exists in a community of three persons. He created us in that image. We exist in the community, and we need each other. John exhorts us to confess our sins to God for forgiveness. James exhorts us to confess our sins to others for healing (James 5:16). P. D. Robbins said, “When guilt feelings hit, I have a hard time believing God forgives unless I first experience forgiveness from some warm bodies here on earth. But even that acceptance is hollow unless I’ve been transparent enough to know that people see the real me—warts and all. Otherwise, I’ll figure they love me only because they don’t really know how rotten I am. Being open and honest with others gives me the assurance that no matter how people react to me, they’re responding to the genuine article, not some spruced-up version.”
We all need an intimate connection with others. We can’t have that kind of connection with everyone, but we need it to be with someone or some group. We’re always encouraging others to find small groups of those who share their faith in order to find true communion in an honest and open community. If we’re not completely honest with someone on earth, the chances are extremely remote that we’re being honest with ourselves and God. It’s in this community that we can truly get to know ourselves. We really don’t find ourselves through introspection as the trend in our society suggests. Paul Tournier, a Christian Physician, says that introspection “is like peeling the skin off an onion; you remove layer after layer and discover there’s nothing left.” He continues to add, “There is nothing more important than honest dialogue between Christians. It’s how we discover ourselves, our friends, and our God.”