THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

THE ARMOR OF GOD

          

Psalm 16:8   I constantly trust in the Lord; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

 

THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Last week we talked about the Belt of Truth, the first piece of armor Paul teaches us to put on.

The second piece of the armor of God that Paul discusses in Ephesians 6 is the breastplate of righteousness.

In the armor of a Roman soldier, the breastplate served as protection for some of the most important parts of the body.

Underneath the breastplate are the heart, lungs, and other organs necessary for life.

Therefore, if a soldier did not wear his breastplate, which was stabilized by the belt, he was vulnerable to an attack that could result in instant death.

 

RIGHTEOUSNESS

So, why does Paul call it the breastplate of righteousness?

Righteousness is the quality or state of being morally correct and justifiable, or moving away from sin.

To be righteous means to obey God’s commandments and live in a way that is honorable to Him.

To be honorable to Him means we are in a right relationship with God, are obedient to Christ and have asked for the forgiveness of our sins through faith.

If we do not protect ourselves with righteousness, being aware of our relationship with Christ and  following Him, we open ourselves up to attack from the enemy and can fall into sin.

We must protect our heart from the enemy.

Just as the soldier who did not wear the breastplate in his armor would be vulnerable to attack and instant death.

 

Psalm 106:3 says, “How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times!”

 

SIN NATURE

Unfortunately, our sinful nature often gets in the way of living an upright life.

When we decide to live based on our own desires rather than God’s, we make decisions that are harmful to ourselves and others.

Romans 8:6 says, “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”

HOW CAN WE “PUT ON” THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS?

Just how can we put on the breastplate of righteousness?

We can start by being knowledgeable of God’s Word, which will allow us to understand how to live a righteous life. When trials and temptation come our way, we can base our decisions in His Word.

Those temptations, frustrations, anger, sadness, lashing out, disobedience – all these emotions, daily life happenings  – can all be solved by spending time with God.

You must be prepared to hear/understand His answers. When you are faced with a dilemma it is easy to jump in with both feet to try to solve it.

GO TO GOD FIRST

But, God wants us to come to Him first!

First before anything. Even if you need to make a quick decision. Stop, Ask God to guide you. Lay it out before Him. Then follow.

Once you have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit lives within you. He doesn’t just hang out. He is constantly working in you.  Pay close attention.

As we spend time daily with God our relationship becomes stronger, our ability to recognize sin quickly and turn from it enhances our walk with Him.  Putting on the armor each day protects us in so many ways.

In addition, through prayer, we can ask God to empower us to resist living in sin and to do what is right according to Him.

1 John 3:22 says, “And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey and do the things that please him.”

WE MUST PUT ON THE ARMOR DAILY

As Christians, we should daily put on the breastplate of righteousness.

In becoming aware of the decisions we make, we can determine whether they are based on God’s Word.

In addition, we can ask Him to give us the strength to live righteously.

Ultimately, this will allow us to withstand attacks from the enemy and live in ways that glorify Christ.

OUR “LIFEJACKET”

(not me, just a pretty picture)

Yesterday I was in my kayak just leisurely floating and paddling. Enjoying the quiet, listening to water ripple, watching the birds and the wind whip around the weeds.

I had my life jacket on, and it reminded me of the breastplate of righteousness.

It was a little uncomfortable, but I knew it was for my protection. It could save my life.

Just like the knowledge of using what God has given us. His Word.

Sometimes it is uncomfortable for us to stand boldly for Him. We are challenged by others.

We may be challenged to NOT put on the lifejacket, it’s uncomfortable, I’ll be ok. The enemy is waiting for us to let down our protection, our breastplate of righteousness.

We must put on the life jacket for it to work. It doesn’t do any good left on the dock or hanging in the building. You could even bring it with you in the boat, but if you don’t put it on it is absolutely no good in an emergency.

God’s Word is the same. If we leave it sitting on the table and never open it His life saving messages will never reach us.

We put on the breastplate of righteousness so we may be controlled by God’s Spirit and not our own self.

Thank You, Lord, for Your Word. Thank You for teaching us, leading us, guiding us, and protecting us so we may stand against the firey darts of the devil. In Jesus name AMEN