“Stand therefore… having put on the breastplate of righteousness”
Arguably the Roman soldier’s most important piece of armour was his breastplate. Arguably the Christian’s most important piece of protection from Satan is our righteousness.
Arguably the Roman soldier’s most important piece of armour was his breastplate. Arguably the Christian’s most important piece of protection from Satan is our righteousness.
The breastplate was a piece of armour that covered the body from neck to lower abdomen. Primarily it protected the vital organs and thus was very important for a soldier. It consisted of one plate covering the front and one covering the back of a soldier.
Paul speaks of righteousness as guarding “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). These destructive enemies try to assault us with doubts about us being saved. Paul says we respond to this by putting on righteousness.
There are two kinds of righteousness that he means. The first is God’s righteousness imputed to us, and the second is the righteousness lived by us with God’s help.
Firstly God has imputed the righteousness of Christ to our account. This is not earned or deserved, but God’s gracious gift to us. All we do to receive it is believe, and it will be given to us, like Abraham (Genesis 15:6).
This is a great comfort to us and a great protection against the devil’s attacks. He may accuse us of sin or failure but we have a ready response: “We are forgiven by Christ, and thus we are perfectly righteous. We’re not guilty!”
One of our greatest pieces of armour is our righteousness. Satan cannot attack us for, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
The Heidelberg Catechism says, “with earnest purpose [we] do begin to live not only according to some, but to all the commandments of God” (Lords Day 44). That’s the second kind of righteousness that protects us from Satan’s attacks. If we are righteous Satan will have no reason to accuse us of wickedness. This righteousness gives no place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27).
Paul places great stress on living lives worthy of being Christ’s disciple (Eph 4:1). Being His disciple means testifying of Him, winning our neighbour for Him, and vanquishing all that stands against Him. If we are not righteous we will lack the power to attack Satan, our testimony will have no substance, our neighbour will not be won for Christ, and we will have no hope of effectively fighting for Him. In short, righteousness comes with, and is necessary for, being a disciple of Christ.
If we are righteous God will protect us: “For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12). See also Psalm 37:28; 41:2; and Proverbs 2:8.
Put away all those earthly things that distract you from your righteousness, and fight, “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
Satan is wicked (Acts 13:10). We oppose that wickedness with our own righteousness. So put on the breastplate and stand against his darts. Live a life worthy of your calling. Live righteously that you may be able to engage in this life of warfare.
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