SPIRITUAL WARFARE: BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Stand therefore…having put on the breastplate of righteousness – Ephesians 6:14

REFERENCE
Ephesians 6:10-17

A breastplate is a piece of armor that covers the chest to protect it from injury; especially in a battle. Righteousness on the other hand, as defined by the dictionary is, “The quality of being morally right or justifiable.” Isaiah 64:6 shows us that our own righteousness is like filthy rags when compared to God’s righteousness; this means, we can’t measure up to God’s righteousness on our own. However, God in His mercy bestowed the gift of righteousness on every believer through the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary. So, we are now righteous and acceptable before God, not by our deeds, but by His grace.

To use the breastplate of righteousness as a weapon against Satan’s wiles means fronting your right standing with God before him. Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), and he is legalistic in his approach. He is quick to point out your errors and condemn you when you make a mistake; he tells you things like, “You just got angry with your spouse, and as a believer, you are not supposed to be angry. And because you have broken God’s law, God, is angry with you and will not hear you when you pray.” Sounds familiar?

Whenever Satan throws such accusations at you to make you feel guilty and condemned before God, put him in his place by telling him you are righteous before God, not because of your own righteousness but because of Jesus’ righteousness. As a believer, you must learn to constantly walk in your righteousness consciousness, it will keep you from overwhelming guilt, condemnation or any sense of inferiority – which are all satan’s stratagem. You have been granted access to the throne of Grace, to boldly approach God to obtain mercy when you need it! Be bold and let the devil know, that there is simply no animosity between you and God; you stand justified in His presence!

Proverbs 4:23, admonishes us to keep our hearts with all diligence because that is where the issues of life spring from. We said earlier, that the breastplate protects the chest (heart). So, putting on the breastplate of righteousness will protect our hearts from been deceived and carried away with any doctrine of falsehood the enemy will throw at us; he cannot make us victims when our hearts are firmly established in the righteousness of God.

SCRIPTURE PHOTO

ADDITIONAL STUDY
Romans 5:1-2 & 17-19, II Corinthians 5:17-21 & Proverbs 11:4-6.

PRAYER POINTS
+ Pray that your heart will be kept with all diligence; that it will not be swayed by Satan’s doctrines of falsehood.

+ Ask for grace to always walk in your righteousness consciousness despite your human imperfections.