The purpose of the breastplate of righteousness mentioned in Ephesians 6 is to protect our hearts. But how do we receive it? And is there more to understand about its purpose?
Let’s find out…
Ephesians 6:12 talks about how our fight as Christians is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of darkness. This kind of warfare requires supernatural armor that enables us to stand against the devil's schemes. Without this armor, we are left vulnerable to challenges we shouldn’t face alone.
The armor of God includes 7 elements, symbols, or tools. One of which is the breastplate of righteousness. Ephesians 6:14 explains, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness…”
In this chapter, Paul calls us to equip ourselves with armor and weaponry far more powerful than anything crafted by human hands, even more formidable than that of medieval knights. This is the armor of God, designed to protect us in the spiritual battles we face. One piece of that armor is the breastplate of righteousness.
The Problem You Face That Requires the Breastplate of Righteousness
A battle involves warring armies, personas, or factions engaged in a struggle, controversy, or contest. Similarly, as Christians, we are faced with continuous spiritual warfare. This means our enemy is less consciously observed in the physical realm but actively attacking in the spiritual, making our wars much harder to see.
All this might sound scary and mysterious, leaving you with doubt and wondering if there's a way out of this warfare. You may even question whether life as a Christian can be lived without recognizing or addressing spiritual realms and warfare at all. However, the truth is that spiritual warfare is inescapable. Spiritual warfare is all around us. And ignoring it just makes it worse.
- “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” –1 Peter 5:8
You don’t have to fear spiritual warfare. You can take comfort in God’s presence in your battles!
- “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”—Isaiah 41:10
Spiritual warfare goes on in our hearts and minds as the devil tries to turn us away from God, focusing on what we see in the physical rather than what is working in the spiritual. 1 Peter reminds us to be watchful and guard our hearts against sin, as it is the thing that enslaves us and makes us feel far from God.
Recognizing the existence of spiritual warfare and examining your heart for traces of sin marks the beginning of your spiritual warfare journey and eventual victory.
Protecting Ourselves from Self-Righteousness
Don't confuse the breastplate of righteousness with self-righteousness. Protecting yourself against self-righteousness is vital in maintaining true humility before God. Self-righteousness arises when we believe we are good enough based on our actions, often leading to judgment of others we perceive as not meeting our standards. Recognizing this sin is recognition of the spiritual warfare around us and that which creeps subtly into our hearts.
Jesus warned against this in Matthew 23, when He rebuked the Pharisees for appearing righteous outwardly while being spiritually corrupt inside, likening them to cups that are clean on the outside but filthy within. True righteousness cannot be faked, as 1 John 1:8 reminds us: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
Even our best efforts fall short of God’s holiness, as the prophet Isaiah compares our righteousness to “filthy rags” before Him (Isaiah 64:6). True righteousness comes not from our works, but from a humble reliance on Christ’s redemptive work and a heart transformed by His grace. The breastplate of righteousness protects us from self-righteousness.
Protecting Yourself with the Righteousness of Jesus
As a good soldier, you know you can’t fight and be victorious without protecting yourself. Roman soldiers used to wear a breastplate as part of their armor. The breastplate protects vital body parts such as the heart, lungs, and other essential organs. Not wearing the breastplate left the soldier vulnerable, and he could quickly lose his life in an attack.
Paul emphasizes the importance of putting on the full armor of God, specifically the breastplate of righteousness, to guard our hearts from sin and the enemy’s schemes. Without Christ’s righteousness, we are vulnerable to spiritual attacks and easily drawn into sin.
To truly live righteously, we must rely on Jesus. Romans 3:10 reminds us that in our own strength, we are not righteous.
- “As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one…’”
This is why Jesus graciously “covers” us with His robe of righteousness, equipping us for spiritual battles.
How Do We Receive the Breastplate of Righteousness?
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”— Romans 8:6.
We are born with a sinful nature that keeps us from living according to God's will and having life and peace. But there is a way to receive the breastplate of righteousness and allow the Holy Spirit to give us new life and peace that transforms all understanding!
How to seek the Breastplate of Righteousness
- Make Jesus the King of your life. Colossians 1:16 tells us that all things were created through Him and for Him. The visible and invisible. Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. When you make Him King in your life, you are given the breastplate of righteousness.
- Acknowledge God's Word and live by it. James 1:3 reminds us that trials and testing produce patience. Putting on the breastplate of righteousness given to you by Jesus activates this Word in your life.
- Submit to God and draw close to Him. James 4:7-8 tells us that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Trials and temptations are inevitable. However, with God’s armor, you will be able to withstand them, grow in maturity, and deepen your relationship with God. This doesn’t mean you won’t stumble, but it does mean your teachable heart will be protected and strengthened.
- Pray and ask God to empower you to resist the enemy. Ask Him to strengthen you to live according to His Spirit, not the flesh. James 1:5 reminds us that we can ask God for wisdom. James 4:7 tells us that we are to surrender–or submit to God–resist the enemy, and the enemy will flee. The breastplate of righteousness helps you resist the enemy.
- Stay alert about your daily decisions. Ask God to search you, know your anxious thoughts, and see if there is any offensive way in you. Psalm 139:23-24 gives you an example of humble prayer, requesting God expose anything in your heart that isn’t in alignment with His Word and asking Him to lead you back to Him.
- Believe you are forgiven because Jesus paid the penalty for your sins when He died on the cross. It's easy to think that the good you have done surpasses the bad and qualifies you for God's forgiveness. But God's standards are high, and a relationship with Jesus Christ is required to qualify you for forgiveness. This is a beautiful gift of complete freedom.
Righteousness signifies God's holiness and perfection, and it only comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Over time, God sanctifies you to be more like Him, strengthening you so you can overcome the devil's attacks on your heart and soul.
The Purpose of the Breastplate of Righteousness
Believing that Jesus makes you righteous is essential for spiritual protection. This righteousness, freely given through faith, begins the process of sanctification, God’s work of transforming your heart to reflect His holiness. Meditating on His Word and asking for His strength equips you to stand firm in spiritual warfare. Without the breastplate of righteousness, your heart is vulnerable to the enemy's attacks.
An unrighteous life, one lived apart from abiding in Jesus, leads to spiritual destruction. Jesus reminds us in John 15:4, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” Abiding in Christ is a daily practice that sanctifies and strengthens you, enabling you to grow in maturity and bear fruit.
Proverbs 4:23 warns, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Similarly, Luke 6:45 reminds us that the treasures of our hearts will overflow into our actions and words. The breastplate of righteousness guards your heart against sin and the enemy, equipping you to live a life that honors God.
Once we are born of the Spirit, God gives us a new heart. Along with it comes His armor, including the breastplate of righteousness, to protect our hearts and minds from the enemy’s schemes to kill, steal, and destroy. By abiding in Christ and allowing His righteousness to sanctify us, we can stand firm in spiritual battles and grow in faith.
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