Dolly's Sharing

Ephesians 6:14 – and having put on the breastplate of righteousness

The Breastplate of Righteousness is the second piece of armour. We are to walk in the light as God is the light. The Breastplate of Righteousness is only available to the children of God – those who have accepted Christ. Symbolically, it protects the most important part of our body – the heart. Therefore, Paul encourages believers to put on the Breastplate of Righteousness so that our hearts will be guarded by Christ. We put it on by trusting in what God has done for us in Christ Jesus.

Paul is not talking about the righteousness which we have as a result of being saved. Imputed righteousness puts us in right standing before God – given to us as a gift when we believe (Romans 4:1-8). Here, Paul is referring to practical righteousness – that is living out what we know to be true daily. And that our life is a life of righteousness, right doing, right thinking, right relationships. It also protects us in our emotions as we think about our hearts and our feelings. God does not want us living and responding to life on the basis of our emotions. He doesn’t want us to make decisions out of emotional feelings, but out of truth so that our life would be characterised by righteous living.

It doesn’t matter how often we attend church, how much community service we do or how often we read the Bible. If we don’t walk the path God has set before us, our “good works” have no value. Obedience to God is a protection for our hearts. The bottom line is that Satan wants to get into our hearts and minds. He’s looking for a crack in our armour and he knows where that crack is. When we are living a life of right living and obedience before God and our brothers and sisters in Christ, the enemy’s darts of accusation and condemnation cannot lodge in our hearts.

Righteousness is the standard that pleases God and it is “right living” that honours Him. The Breastplate of Righteousness is critical because demons are drawn to unrighteousness. So, when unrighteousness prevails in our lies, we face the issue of demonic influence we have invited. Therefore, guard our hearts, act on the truth and clean up the environment by the Spirit so that God’s victory can be ours.

How to wear the Breastplate of Righteousness?

Pursue righteous living – Seeking out God’s will, living in His Word and obeying what it says (James 1:22-25). We are to walk a life of right living before God as we make easy targets for the enemy when we do not obey God. Allow God to start the sanctification process within us so we can become Christlike.

Avoid what may ensnare us – Turn from lustful desires and resist the devil (James 4:7). Identify unrighteous activities that may weaken us, anything that can entice us to sin or not in line with our beliefs. By intentionally exposing ourselves to immoral behaviour, we are allowing Satan to weaken the walls that Christ has built around us. And when we do encounter temptation, ask God to show us a way out so that we can stand strong.

Keep our hearts clean before God – When we sin, we need to confess to God. Be faithful to daily confession and repentance of sin. We have to make a conscious commitment to ask God every day to empower us to live a righteous life and to guide us to be more like Him.

Surround ourselves with people that are pursuing Jesus – Throughout the Bible, we see that God places community around us so we can uphold one another and keep each other accountable to God’s ways and learn His Word together. All Christians struggle but none were meant to struggle alone.