The Breastplate of Righteousness

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: The Breastplate of Righteousness
Keyword: “righteousness”
Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation.

Never — neither here in Ephesians 6 nor anywhere else — does the Bible tell Christians to attack the devil. The devil attacks us — and we are not to attack back. We are to simply stand firm. AND, we can be confident that we have the capacity to stand firm or we would not be commanded to do so!

Our standing firm, though, will only be successful as we use the armor Paul lists. That armor is described in verses quoted below. For the next few days, we are going to take a look at the armor Paul recommends we use in the fight to stand strong in the day of sexual temptation.

Passage: Ephesians 6:10-20*

10. Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.

11. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

14. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,

15. and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16. in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one.

17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

19. and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

20. for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Questions

1. What function would a breastplate have had in first century warfare?

 

2. What is "righteousness"?

 

Practical help

The breastplate a Roman soldier wore in to battle was a tough, sleeveless piece of armor that covered his full torso. Often it was made of leather or heavy linen, onto which were sewn pieces of metal molded or hammered to conform to the body. It protected the vital organs.

Christians need a breastplate, too. The breastplate of righteousness. We are protected against the attacks of the devil in the evil day of calamity or temptation when we pursue purity for all we’re worth. No moral compromise.

In Ephesians 4, Paul told Christians to not steal, to put away bitterness, to speak words that build up, and to be tender-hearted to each other. Ephesians 5 tells us to not use course language, to not commit sexual sin, and to not get drunk.

These are all part and parcel of what Paul means when he refers to "the breastplate of righteousness."

Want to be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil? Your "innards" are protected from Satan's low blows from the blind side when you make a commitment to a down to brass tacks, rubber meets the road obedience to God's commands.

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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."