THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

For the next few weeks, our ministry will be covering the topic of spiritual warfare from the epistle of Ephesians. This epistle is a GREAT call to work, meaning live worthy of our call. To do this requires us to continually be arrayed with spiritual armor. This message is about the “Breastplate of Righteousness”, using the King James Version for text.

Ephesians 6:14: “and having on the breastplate of righteousness”

This is the second piece of armor and is one of the most vital. The breastplate protects all the vital organs in the upper body. Any fighting soldier will never go out to battle without his breastplate. The heart and lungs are vital and must be protected. If these vital organs are stabbed or pierced through, ALL hope is gone. The lungs breathe in the air and the heart pumps the oxygen to the body giving it the life to fight on. This breastplate often means the difference between life and death.

The Roman breastplate was usually made of thick leather and studded with metal orbs to protect the heart and lungs. You see why he (the devil) aims for the heart, and he aims to KILL. Somebody say “But God”.

The Breastplate of Righteousness is always worn when on the battlefield. This armor does not originate from us, but it is a Gift of God. (Isaiah 64:6) “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” “BUT GOD.”

God, who is the author of Righteousness, gave us Righteousness as a Gift. (Romans 5:18) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one (meaning Majesty of God) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”

What is Righteousness?

It is the very character of Our God—it is purity of life, correctness in thought, and uprightness in Character.

He is Loving, Unchangeable, Thoughtful, Faithful, Righteous, Holy, Eternal, Good, Just, Beautiful, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Bright and Morning Star, and we’re just like Him because of His Righteousness. His Righteousness works as a breastplate and protects us from evil. His Righteousness covers all of our sins. When he looks at us, he sees the Blood.

God’s Righteousness proves our salvation. It proves we have Power. It proves we are the Sons of God. It proves we have a sound mind.

His Righteousness covers us with the Robe of Righteousness. So much covers us that I can say without hesitation and doubt that when Isaiah was prophesying about Jesus, he was also talking about US. (Isaiah 11:2) “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Might, the spirit of Knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; and shall make Him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord; And He (we) shall not judge after the sight of his (Our) eyes, neither reprove (finding fault) after the hearing of his (our) ears. But with righteousness shall he (we) judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: And he (we) shall smite the earth with the rod of his (Our) Mouth and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.” How? By the Word of God. (Isaiah 11:5) And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle if his reins."

Let us put on Righteousness like a breastplate. Because it is a defensive piece of armor and everything, everything we need is under the umbrella of Righteousness. There is no reason for us to allow a crack or hole or an opening to be in our breastplate. If that happens, the devil will slip in. All he needs is an opening.

When Aaron was dressed with the priestly garments, there were 4 rows of stones on his breastplate with the names of the children of Israel. This breastplate of judgment was upon his heart when he went into the Holy Place for a Memorial before the Lord continually. And in the breastplate of Judgment also was the Urim and Thummin, and they were also upon Aaron’s heart—Urim being the Light and Thummin being Truth. By them, the High Priest would attain divine guidance for the people. So with all things being given to us of God by Jesus through Righteousness, we should never have to fight in this battle because He is our battle axe; He is our shepherd; He is our healer; He is our redeemer; He is our shelter in times of storms. So when Satan fires his poison darts, which he will, let us stand firm in our Breastplate of Righteousness. Let us keep it on always and continually, and as the darts come, let them hit that Breastplate every time because it cannot penetrate the Righteousness. Remember we are “Armed, Extremely Dangerous, No Trespassing, 10:4 over and out”

~ Evangelist Mary Perry