Lesson 11: Breastplate of Righteousness, part 4

Ephesians 6:14 - …and having put on the breastplate of righteousness

Just as a Roman soldier could not defend himself against a foe without such a coat of armor, so a lack of integrity will leave a man exposed to the assaults of the enemy. If there is a defect in our character with some want of integrity because we have been polluted by the world; that person is sinking, they are unguarded, and this will surely be the point of attack by our foe. Having the breastplate of righteousness is our only hope. The more righteous we become in character, the harder it becomes for Satan to tempt us successfully and wound our spirits. The more righteousness becomes a part of our being, the easier it becomes for us to resist sin and Satan.

Another thing about the Breastplate of Righteousness is that it requires commitment. When a soldier put this piece of equipment on, he was committed to fight. He was committed to the battle and going into battle with the mindset of victory. He knew this armor gave him a serious edge. He was not going in thinking he was going to lose, especially the Roman soldier because they were one of the most well-equipped soldiers in history. Rather he was going in expecting victory, he was committed to it. Putting on the breastplate was a part of that process, and it is the same process God calls us to.


This does not mean you never sin. What it does mean is there is a decreasing frequency of it, and when you do, you confess it, you repent of it, and you turn from it. You deal with it before God. That takes commitment. You are honest enough to evaluate your life. You are committed to "abstaining from fleshly lusts." You are committed to living a righteous life, a life above reproach. Your enemy wants to break down your will. He wants to confuse your emotions, corrupt your desires. He wants to draw your affections to the wrong things. And all this attack comes by Satan in that vital area, in the heart. Paul simply says to counteract this battle, you need to be committed to putting on the breastplate of righteousness, every day. That is the antidote. That is the way out of this mess. And it all starts with commitment.

2 Timothy 2:3-4 says, "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs — he wants to please his commanding officer."

Being committed to living a Holy life is simply the breastplate, beloved, and I believe that somewhere along the line this is a forgotten commodity in the Church. You see, if you do not live a holy life, you lose. If you do not live a righteousness life, God withholds His blessing from you. 1 John says, "These things are written that your joy may be full." But the idea is they are written so that in obeying them your joy will be full. In fact, the reason why Christians are sad so often, and the reason they have sorrow in their lives is not because they need psychological counseling because they have some kind of relational problem. It is just a lack of personal holiness. The Breastplate of Righteousness is our protection.

*Memorize Ephesians 6:13-14