By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Ephesians 6:14 "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place…" - NIV
The Roman soldier wore a brass metallic breastplate over the chest area in the front and back, just as bullet proof vests are worn by soldiers today. This was meant to protect the heart and the lungs, being vital organs. Other body parts may be injured, but with higher chances of survival. But not the heart and vital organs. In protecting it, the soldiers protected their lives. Out of the heart come the issues of life.
Righteousness, (a state of right standing with God that comes by faith in Christ), is a protector of our hearts. Paul adds that the breastplate is faith and love(1 Thes 5:8). These character qualities guard our spirits from condemnation of the enemy, the accuser of the brethren. No one who lives in doubt, hate, guilt and condemnation can be victorious. By keeping the breastplate in place, we defeat all such arrows of the devil targeting our hearts.
Righteousness also means integrity, holiness, purity of life and sincerity. Lack of these leaves a person unguarded and exposed to enemy assaults and defeat. Scripture and the contemporary world is full of examples of great people who fell victims of the devils tricks because of lack of integrity. None of our good works without God makes us righteous, but only faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross.
Proverbs 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life."
1 Thessalonians 5:8 "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation."
Shalom children of God