By Rev. Michael Mwangi
Senior Pastor, Fedha Church KAG
The second piece of the armour of God that Paul discusses in Ephesians 6 is the breastplate of righteousness.
In the armour of a Roman soldier, the breastplate served as protection for some of the most important parts of the body. Underneath the breastplate is the heart, lungs and other organs necessary for life. Therefore, if a soldier did not wear his breastplate, he was vulnerable to an attack that could result in instant death.
What is the breastplate of righteousness?
Godly character and a right relationship with God. These are necessary in protecting our hearts and allowing us to fight effectively for purity and justice.
Righteousness protects our hearts. Our hearts must be protected at all costs because if it is defiled our lives are defiled.
Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life
Your heart is extremely valuable. Guard it against worthless things or else your life will be so.
Matthew 12:34-40
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
Why protect our hearts?
1. Your heart defines you
Your heart is the essence of who you are. It is your authentic self - the core of your being. It is where all your dreams, your desires, and your passions live. It is that part of you that connects with God and other people. Just like your physical body, if your heart - your spiritual heart -corrupts , your life corrupts
2. Because your heart is the source of everything you do
King Solomon says it is the “wellspring of life.” In other words, it is the source of everything else in your life. Your heart overflows into thoughts, words, and actions.
Likewise, if your heart is unhealthy, it has an impact on everything else. It threatens your family, your friends, your ministry, your career, and, indeed, your legacy. It is, therefore, imperative that you guard it.
3. Because your heart is under constant attack
When Solomon says to guard your heart, he implies that you are living in a combat zone - one in which there are casualties. Many of us are oblivious to the reality of this war. We have an enemy who is bent on our destruction. He not only opposes God, but he opposes everything that is aligned with Him - including us.
The position of your heart is directly in line with the line of attack. Right, I front of the enemy and weapons.
If we do not protect ourselves with righteousness, we open ourselves up to evil and evil ways and hence the attacks from the enemy. This is the easiest way to fall into sin and the wages of sin is death.
Sin always kills
When we neglect righteousness we trend outside the safe parameters without protection. We are very venerable and the enemy can ruin us.
To be righteous means to obey God’s commandments and live in a way that is honourable to Him.
Psalm 106:3
How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times!
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
So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
How do we ensure we have the breastplate of righteousness.
How can we put on the breastplate of righteousness?
As Christians, we can put on the breastplate of righteousness in our daily lives by:
1. Know the word
We can start by being knowledgeable of God’s Word, which will allow us to understand how to live a righteous life.
In becoming aware of the decisions we make, we can determine whether or not they are based in God’s Word.
This is why you need to know the truth by reading the word of God thus starting by putting on the Belt of truth.
Psalms 119 1-12, 98 -112
2. Be led by the Spirit
Galatians 5
16. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
When trials and temptation come our way, we can base our decisions on His Word and let the Spirit lead us. When the enemy is whispering to us and confusing us, the spirit will guide us into all the truth.
3. Prayer life
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.
Matthew 26:41-42
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
1 Peter 5
8. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
9. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
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.
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