Ephesians 6:14b. “…having put on the breastplate of righteousness,”
The next part of the Roman soldier’s armor that Paul writes about is the “breastplate of Righteousness.” The soldier wore it to protect his chest against assaults and arrows. David Jeremiah, in the Jeremiah Study Bible, writes,
“The breastplate guarded the heart—the source of the soldier’s life. In a similar way, righteousness protects the spiritual life of the Christian. Our righteousness comes not from ourselves but from Christ (Phil. 3:9).”
When we put on the breastplate of righteousness means that we are striving to live in daily obedience to our heavenly Father. This will help us in resisting Satan, whose aim it is to keep us from becoming a Christian. And if he cannot do that, it’s his aim and desire for us not to live for Jesus. If we don’t avail ourselves of this “armor,” it will cost us our joy in the Lord Jesus. John MacArthur some more ways that not utilizing this piece of armor will affect our spiritual life and growth.
- “Failure to be armed with practical righteousness will cause unfruitfulness.”
- Unholy living brings loss of rewards.
- Unholy living brings reproach on God’s glory.”
The Apostle Peter, writing in 1 Peter 1:21, writes the following, “I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage against the soul” We must always be living as one who is “in Christ,” and thus living a life that is conformed to the image of the Son of God.”
Larry Miles lives in Louisville, KY, and attends the Cherry St. Church of Christ.