Part Four of Ten: The breastplate of Righteousness

Back in Numbers the 13th chapter, the LORD spoke to Moses [v1] telling him to send out some leaders among men, to scout the land of Canaan that He gave to them [v2]. Acting under the direction of the Lord, Moses sent out a head of each tribe [vv3-15] to find out about the land and the people [vv18-20]. Forty days later they came back [v25] and told Moses, Aaron, and the congregation that . . .there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers. . . [v33].

Faith is nothing more than acting on the Word of God. Chapter 14 of Numbers tells of the consequences of murmuring against God [vv27-30]. The Israelites did not get to enter Canaan and the land flowing with milk and honey, save Caleb and the children. A negative attitude is not the mentality we want going into a battle as Peter alludes to in 1Peter 1:13

v13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end. . . [1 Peter 1:13 KJV]

Likewise, our attitude is paramount to victory. If we go into a battle defeated already, we should not go into battle. Many Christians today do not even realize that they are the righteousness of Christ that He has already secured their victory. This is why so many Christians today are living in defeat because they do not put on their armor daily. The enemy loves it when we do not prepare ourselves for battle. When we don’t, we are sitting ducks to his schemes and wiles. Be they Israelites, Roman soldiers, or Christians, our breastplate of righteousness is a premier article of armor.

v14b We must Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of righteousness [Ephesians 6:14b KJV]

Remember that the loinbelt of truth is the Word of God and when you couple that with the breastplate of righteousness, which is Christ’s righteousness in us, you are secure and protected from the enemy’s attacks.

v21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV]

It is imperative that we understand that we are the righteousness of Christ. Even if we understand this fact, the enemy will still try and dissuade us against Jesus. If we put on the armor each day and meditate on this truth, it will begin to change our attitude and thinking.

Sanctification is a process and it is why so many believers are living a defeated life. Romans 12:1, 2 substantiate this fact when it says not to be conformed to this world but to transform and renew our minds. When we guard our minds with the truth and the righteousness of Christ, no entity on Earth can defeat us. First John 5:13-15 tells us if we believe in the name of God, we’ll have eternal life and when we believe and pray by the will of God’s name He’ll hear us. This is the confidence. . .

The English word confidence transliterated from the Greek is parresia as meaning great boldness or openness. This just about gives the appearance of arrogance when we practice and approach situations. The attitude of righteousness will profoundly affect your prayer life. Without the knowledge of our personal righteousness through Christ, we cannot pray with confidence and our prayers will be ineffectual.

We should NOT be as grasshoppers in the eyes of the enemy. Stand up brothers and sisters, be open and bold. We have the same Spirit in us that raised Christ from the dead. Like the Roman soldier adorned his armor daily, we must adorn our spiritual armor as well with the Lord’s truth and righteousness of Christ. God bless you all as you dress each morning for battle. . .and it is a war.
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Next week: Getting our feet shod.