The Armor Of God: The Breastplate Of Righteousness

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place...

Ephesians 6:14 (NIV)

Before I committed my life to Christ, I faced enemies at home and at work. They schemed, lied, insulted, and betrayed me. I lived in war conditions of anger, self-pity, and simmering aggression

With a mindset dog trainers call 'shy-sharp.' Human trainers (a.k.a. therapists), might label it as 'passive-aggressive.' Seemingly peaceful, then suddenly sharp.

After my late-in-life transformation to a full-throttle believer in Christ, I was surprised by this revelation: My battle wasn’t against flesh and blood– but other-worldly principalities. The Good Book said I was battling Satan.

Therefore…

My previous “battleground” maneuvers (which were frustratingly ineffective)... surely wouldn’t work against the devil.

On the other Hand (God’s Righteous Right Hand), His Armor is totally effective… IF… we wear it daily and stand our ground*

After we’re secured with God’s belt of truth, we put on His breastplate of righteousness. Since 'There is none righteous, no, not one' (Romans 3:10), we receive 'The gift of righteousness...in life through the One, Jesus Christ' (Romans 5:17).

Once done…

Attacks on our value as God's children (whether from our undisciplined mindsets… or the harmful words and acts of others), can’t get through the breastplate of righteousness.

Therein…

All accusations are exposed as lies, because 'There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus' (Romans 8:1).

God makes us righteous through His Own Son’s Blood. And if God sees us as not guilty, CLEAN, should we disagree with our Creator?

In Him…

  • We’re never 'less than,’ but always 'more than' (Romans 8:7).

  • We aren’t perfect, but Jesus perfects us.

  • We’re 'Being transformed' (2 Corinthians 3:18) as we follow Him,

  • 'Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God' (Philippians 1:11).

Bottom Line

'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31). Surely NOT Satan.

The Armor Of God: The Breastplate Of Righteousness (Part 4)

* Sometimes, pushing Satan (and his band of demons) back TAKES TIME. Their departure (and our peace) isn’t always instantaneous. For instance, in our King’s 40-day wilderness trial, the Bible says he fought Satan throughout it. On the final day, we learned the enemy’s tactics and the Christ’s counter-offensive. Conclusion? It took 40 days for Satan to leave the field. Our Captain’s deliverance wasn’t immediate.

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If anything I write is on point and agrees with His Word, it’s not from me. This is a 2023 update of a 2011 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban