“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,” Luke 12:35 ESV
Reflection: how do you know what your pastor says is true?
You don’t have to try very hard to find churches that disagree on pretty fundamental belief principles, such as baptism and marriage. But then, how can we know who is correct? Most use the Bible as their primary source for their position, and have built supporting arguments for what they say. And if you just listen to them, it can seem pretty rational. Let’s take an example.
In the focus verse today, it says to put on the belt of truth, as we also read from Ephesians 6, “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,” Ephesians 6:14a KJV. Now, for the keen observer here, who remember the focus verse, you might say,
“Wait just a minute!”
The focus verse doesn’t say that. It reads “Stay dressed for action” Luke 12:35a ESV. There is nothing about the belt of truth there, right? In fact, to “stay dressed for action” can mean a whole host of things, right? You could build a set of biblical arguments just around that!
But I want you to notice something very important here, that should cause you to always be curious and ask questions what is being said. How even the Bible could be presented and used to mislead, even if it is from a source you have listed to and trusted a long time. Let’s look at this verse from 3 different translations – ESV, NIV, and KJV.
“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,” Luke 12:35 ESV
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,” Luke 12:35 NIV
“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;” Luke 12:35 KJV
While the second half of the verse is similar, the first part seems pretty different, right? To be dressed for action, to be ready for service, and to let our “loins be girded about”, which all have slightly different meaning. So which one is right? We have to dig a bit deeper, to look at in what context Jesus is talking here. When we read on, we see that he really is talking about being “awake”, being “ready” for when he returns, which would more indicate this is about not following false teachings. The phrase “let your loins be girded about” really is a pretty poetic way of saying to “wear the belt of truth” as part of the full armor of God. To have truth be the guide for our lives, and our lights burning. “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.” Luke 12:37 ESV.
Now, in a later paragraph, he talks about action, about service that we are to keep working while there is still time. “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” Luke 12:43 ESV. So the Bible translators might have projected this later point in how they translated our focus verse. But, the more likely context here I believe Jesus was talking about our readiness, to always stay awake with the belt of truth around our whole lives.
To be prepared for his coming.
But, the key takeaway today is to be more curious about what the Lord is really telling us. There are many false prophets and misleading doctrines out there that can lead us astray, or even put us to sleep. Don’t just swallow what you hear your pastor, priest or teacher say. Don’t even just look at one Bible translation. Instead of watching a TV program, use some time to dig deeper. Ask the Holy Spirit, who Jesus called “the Spirit of truth”, to reveal the truth to you. What truth do you need to hear today to be ready? “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”” Luke 12:40 ESV