It Starts Small

A battle involves two warring armies, personas, or factions engaged in a struggle, controversy, or contest. As believers of Christ, we are faced with daily spiritual warfare. This means our enemy is known in the physical realm but instead is actively attacking in the spiritual realm. Therefore we can’t see him. This can leave us a little frightened and intimidated. Spiritual warfare is inescapable.

Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

1 Peter 5:8

We do not have to be afraid or intimidated because of God’s promise:

Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Spiritual warfare goes on in our heart and minds. The devil is relentless at trying to turn us away from God. He wants to get us focused on the physical rather than what is spiritual. 1 Peter 5:8 reminds us to be alter, watchful, and above all things, guard our hearts against sin. Sin enslaves us. Examining our hearts for any traces of sin marks the beginning of spiritual victory.

Protecting Yourself with the Righteousness of Jesus

As a soldier in a war, we need to arm ourselves for protection. Paul uses the example of a Roman soldier who wore a breastplate. The breastplate protects vital body parts such as the heart, lungs, and other essential organs. Not wearing the breastplate left the soldier vulnerable, and he could quickly lose his life in an attack. The breastplate also easily identified who was who in the battle.

Paul explains that if we do not protect ourselves with the righteousness of Christ, we make it easy for the devil to gain access to our hearts and lure us into sin. 

How happy are those who uphold justice,
who practice righteousness at all times.

Psalms 106:3

I rejoice greatly in the Lord,
I exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation
and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness,
as a groom wears a turban
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 61:10

To be righteous, you must accept Jesus’ righteousness.

as it is written:

There is no one righteous, not even one.

Romans 3:10

Paul reminds us that in our own strength, we are not righteous. This is why Jesus “covers” us with His robe of righteousness.

How Do We Receive the Breastplate of Righteousness?

Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 8:6

We are born with a sinful nature. It keeps us from living according to God’s will and having a life of peace. The Holy Spirit gives us new life and peace that transform all understanding. We must be surrendered to the Holy Spirit and make Jesus King of our lives.

that has come to you. It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has among you since the day you heard it and came to truly appreciate God’s grace.

Colossians 1:16

Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. When we chose to make Him King of our lives, He works His righteousness into us.

We must acknowledge God’s Word and live by it. Trails and temptations are inevitable, but with God’s armor we can withstand them and deepen our relationship with God through each one. This does not mean that we will never stumble from time to time, but it means that our heart is teachable and will be protected and strengthened.

because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

James 1:3

James tells us that trials and testing produce endurance. Some translations use patience. As we go through them, we learn to endure and lean upon God and nothing else. The breastplate of righteousness is the activation of the Word of God in our lives.

When we are actively wearing Christ’s righteousness we are alert! Rather than clinging to anxious thoughts, we focus our mind upon searching our hearts for offense against others and God.

²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my concerns.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me;
lead me in the everlasting way.

Psalms 139:23-24

We can seek and ask that he reveal and expose our hearts to us. To reveal what is not aligned with His Word and asking Him to lead us back to Him.

Righteousness signifies God’s holiness and perfection, and it only comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Over time, God sanctifies you to be more like Him. Thus, strengthening you so you can overcome the devil’s attacks on your heart and soul. 

The Purpose of the Breastplate of Righteousness

Our righteousness does not come from our own strength or power. Our righteousness is from Christ. We have to believe that Christ is who makes us righteous. When we meditate upon His Word and ask God to strengthen you in His righteousness, we overcome spiritual warfare. An unrighteous life, a life apart from abiding in Jesus, destroys your destiny by rendering it destitute. 

Whatever you allow in your heart will be expressed in your life one way or another. Therefore, examine what enters in, as it could lead to destruction. 

Guard your heart above all else,
for it is the source of life.

Proverbs 4:23

A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.

Luke 6:45

The best way to protect your heart is to put on the full armor of God, especially the breastplate of righteousness, as its purpose is to guard your heart against the enemy.

Humanity has a problem. We are all born sinners, making it impossible to live righteously. However, God gives us supernatural armor to protect our hearts–the breastplate of righteousness. The purpose of the breastplate of righteousness is to protect your heart against sin and the enemy’s attacks. God is merciful and compassionate and forgives our iniquity through Jesus. 

Who is a God like you,
forgiving iniquity and passing over rebellion
for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not hold on to his anger forever
because he delights in faithful love.

Micah 7:18

Once we are born of Spirit, He gives us a new heart. With it comes God’s armor, the breastplate of righteousness, to protect our hearts and minds. God’s armor protects us from the enemy’s schemes to kill, steal, or destroy. 

When we look at the Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness in verse 14, they need each other to be put on properly. The Roman soldier used the belt to hold the breastplate in place and to hold his weapon of choice. Righteousness, or doing right according to the Word of God, is held together by the truth of the Word of God. You can not have one without the other.

The breastplate is a primary means of identification: this is one of the clearer ways for soldiers to recognize each other in battle. Likewise, a Christian’s behavior is meant to identify them to the world, and other believers, as a follower of Christ.