The second piece of armor is the breastplate of righteousness.
“and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” Ephesians 6:14
The heart is the most vital organ in our bodies. It is the pump that moves blood to every cell in the body. And if something happens to it, our bodies begin to fail. That is why the command and Proverbs 4:23 are so essential to protecting our vital spiritual organs.
“Most of all, protect your mind, for everything in life flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23
According to Webster, righteousness means.
1: acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin
2a: morally right or justifiable, a righteous decision
b: arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality, righteous indignation
3:slang: genuine, excellent
In her study, The Armor of God, Priscilla Shirer describes righteousness as justice—the quality of being upright and fulfilling the expectations set in the relationship. Righteousness is upright living that aligns with God’s expectations.
“I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,” Ephesians 4:1
The enemy likes to attack us in four areas. Knowing the different ways he uses will help us prepare for those attacks.
The first area is our emotions. As women, we are very emotional beings, and we often follow our emotions before seeking God. Satan knows this, so that he will use those feelings against us.
The second is our will. As children of God, our will should be to do God’s will. However, because we have free will, we can choose. Satan will use this to show us things that will turn us away from godly pursuits, leaving us with interests that are temporary and short-sighted, even directly opposing God’s will.
Then there is our conscience. I call this my Jiminy Cricket. When Satan attacks our conscience, he’s guiding us on a path that doesn’t align with God’s Word.
The fourth one is our minds. We must take every thought captive because God knows that our minds are our learning center. If Satan can get into our minds, he will distort our thinking with his lies. Lies about God, His Word, and who we are. He plans to cripple our thinking with harmful and unbiblical thought processes.
To a Roman soldier, his breastplate was the shiniest, most beautiful piece of armor. It was made of either bronze or brass and was highly elaborate. The soldier wore the breastplate, the heaviest piece, covering his midsection from neck to thighs.
The soldier wore a breastplate over a sheath-like garment. Sometimes, he also wore a coat of male armor over the breastplate. All these layers were worn to protect the soldier’s vital organs.
I shared earlier about the ways our enemy attacks, so we must always wear our righteousness to protect ourselves. This breastplate is both a defensive and an offensive weapon. It helps us assault the enemy and reclaim what he stole from us.
When our breastplate of righteousness is not in place, any attack on our emotions, will, conscience, or mind will penetrate and render an effective blow that injures our spiritual walk.
However, when we put on our breastplate of righteousness, no words of condemnation, false allegations, or guilty thoughts will penetrate. We will walk in confidence, boldness, and new authority, ready for battle, knowing God has clothed us in righteousness.
Righteousness will cover us from head to toe and protect us.
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10
Righteousness will protect and sustain us while our enemy is eaten like a moth eats a garment and a worm eats wool. God has given us His righteousness as a gift that will last generations.
“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.” Isaiah 51:7-8
When we wear righteousness, we will always outlast our enemy, and no matter how much he tries to remove our influence, we can declare that the righteous shall never be removed.
Remember the Roman soldier’s breastplate? It was made of bronze or brass, and because of this metal, it was bright and shiny, often blinding their enemy. Because of the blinding breastplate, the enemy could not see to attack. The breastplate was a good offensive weapon, too.
When we wear our righteousness breastplate, we can walk into battle and blind our enemy. Evil cannot function in the light, which is God’s glory, and shines all around us when we wear it.
Righteousness is alreadyin you. Now, it’s on you. (from Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer)
It’s time to wear our righteousness as a breastplate, protecting our heart and vital organs. Having it attached to our belt of truth
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/EPH.6.14
https://www.bible.com/bible/1932/PRO.4.23
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/EPH.4.1
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.61.10
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.51.7-8
What does the Lord require of you? https://philosophy-question.com/library/lecture/read/42798-what-does-the-lord-require-of-you
