Breastplate of Righteousness

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place" Ephesians 6:14 NIV

The Greek word for righteousness in this scripture is dikaiosune Strong's #1343).  Crosswalk's online lexicon gives these definitions for this word:
  • In a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God 
  • the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God
  • integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting
  • In a narrower sense, justice or the virtue which gives each his due

    The part of the definition I'd like to emphasize is the "condition acceptable to God."  We can only reach this condition through faith in Jesus Christ.  In exchange for our faith, God counts us as righteous, i.e. being acceptable in his sight Philippians 3:8-9.  The breastplate of righteousness is forged by a combination of this perfect righteousness God imparts to us and our obedience to his commands for living.  Our obedience is essential because it proves that our hearts are in agreement with God and that our faith is genuine.>How the breastplate works:  

    Our faith is the power link that connects our breastplate with God's infinite power. By believing in Jesus, we receive all the power and benefits of being righteous in God's sight (see below for examples).  If we don't believe that we have God's righteousness, then our breastplate will be ineffective.   

    Our sin has an associated "spiritual nakedness" with it that repels God from us.  When Adam and Eve sinned, they lost their covering of purity and became spiritually and physically naked.   Their sin and nakedness separated them from fellowship with God.  Since the wages of sin are death (Romans 6:23), God mercifully slaughtered an animal (s) and made clothes of skin to cover Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21).  God's actions foreshadowed the lasting sacrifice he would make by sending Jesus to die on the cross for mankind.  The blood of Christ provides atonement for our sin and clothes us with a righteousness (symbolized by a breastplate) that covers our spiritual nakedness.  We can now boldly approach God's throne without fear of punishment (Romans 5:1; Hebrews 4:16).   Another important function of the breastplate of righteousness is revealed by the action of Christ's blood on our conscience.  The blood of Jesus spiritually washes us clean from our sin (Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:22).  This cleansing action removes potential "footholds" that would have caused us to be vulnerable to the devil's attacks.  With the breastplate of righteousness covering us through Christ's blood, the devil has nothing in us to exploit (John 14:30).  

    How to put on the breastplate:  We put the breastplate on through faith by speaking it.  Here is a way to do this:  

    "I put on the breastplate of righteousness.  I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I am clothed with God's righteousness, which protects my heart from the enemy.  All footholds that the devil had in me have been washed away by the blood of Jesus.  I am no longer clothed with filthy garments, but rather with rich robes of righteousness Zechariah 3).  The righteousness of God covers me and protects me from the enemy."  

    How to maintain the breastplate:  Just as with conventional weapons of war, regular maintenance of our spiritual armor is critical to its operation in battle.  

  • Obey God's commands for living:  We are obligated to obey God's commands, out of loving appreciation for what Jesus did for us.  This is a way of exercising our faith which keeps us plugged in to God's power supply.  Paul wrote, "Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness" (Romans 6:19 God gives us power to live obediently through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11,13).  
  • Live in Love:  Love is the key activity by which we live for righteousness.  Jesus explained that all of the commandments are summed up by love your neighbor as yourself Galatians 5:14.   Paul wrote:"12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity"  Colossians 3:12-14 By showing God's love to others, we will grow in righteousness toward holiness.  When we combine our faith with living in love, our breastplate is strong, like an alloy of two metals.  

    Benefits of living for righteousness: A great benefit of living for righteousness is that our breastplate will function at maximum efficiency.  Here are some other benefits that we will also enjoy:  

  • Protection:
    The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.  (Proverbs 11:6
  • Prosperity and honor:
    He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. (Proverbs 21:21
  • Filling with God’s Spirit:
    Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6
  • Quietness and confidence forever:
    The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. (Isaiah 32:17
  • Reflection of God: 
    You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness  (Ephesians 4:22-24) Armor Study


    The Armor of God: The Breastplate of Righteousness

    by Chuck Missler

    This is the third in our series on the "Armor of God," (1) in the hopes of getting better prepared to endure our present "Age of Deceit."

    Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God... Having put on the breastplate of right-eousness... Eph 6:10, 11, 14

    Most of us don't wear battle armor today. Yet here is a command in God's Word to appropriate for ourselves the weaponry to protect ourselves, or else we are sitting ducks in conflicts which we cannot avoid. What is the "breastplate of right-eousness?"

    The Roman Model

    The Roman breastplate was typically made of bronze, backed with leather. It was designed to protect the vital area. A blow through this was usually fatal.

    What is your most dangerous vulnerability? Or, alternatively, What is your most important stewardship? There are many good answers: your family, etc. However, I suggest that your most critical area is your heart. The breastplate covered the heart. (A concordance search on "heart" can be very instructive.) (2)

    Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are (all) the issues of life. Prov 4:23

    National Righteousness

    Alexis de Tocqueville, in his famed analysis of America, summarized, "America is great because she is good. If she ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great."

    Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Prov 14:34

    During Israel's conquest of the Land of Canaan, personal sins resulted in national defeats. Joshua's tragic defeat at Ai is but one example. (3)

    When asked, "What is the biggest problem in America?" General Norman Schwarzkopf replied, "Lack of integrity." When asked the same question, author Larry Abraham answered, "Lack of justice." And he subsequently relocated himself outside the United States.

    The increasing evidence of corruption in government, in business, and in personal lives continues to propel us toward God's judgment on our land.

    Personal Uprightness

    Walking in righteousness means that you actively tell the truth and do what is right. David was heavily concerned with integrity and uprightness in his personal life. (4)

    Our own commitment to personal integrity needs to extend to a fiduciary loyalty to our employer, (5) staying current on our payables, and maintaining the sanctity of all of our commitments. But rather than dwell on our own inept pursuit of personal righteousness, I believe that there is an even larger issue involved here.

    True Righteousness

    People have different ideas about righteousness. We must understand that righteousness is something we are, not something we do. Righteousness within us affects what we do, but what we do does not make us righteous.

    Jesus said, "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."(6)

    What a blow for the Jew! They looked up to their professional law-keepers-men who dedicated themselves to keeping every yot and tittle of the law! And even that wasn't good enough! [They have been much maligned in modern NT viewpoints, but they were, indeed, a dedicated lot. They fasted at least one day a week and gave their savings to the poor, etc.]

    "Pharisee" means "separated." Separation from the world does not mean salvation as far as God is concerned.(7) Jesus called them liars, vipers, and hypocrites.

    "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men's] bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." (8)

    What a stinging rebuke to the religiously righteous individuals of that day. (Jesus, whenever encountering sinners of almost every kind, was kind, caring, and forgiving. There was only one group that invariably encountered His ire: the religionists pandering their own ritualistic righteousness.)

    These were not the last group of individuals to develop a destructive system of self-righteousness in the name of God. There are many "very righteous" religions. They always include steps to entering the kingdom. There are sacraments to be kept. Certain prayers prescribed to be offered regularly. Special forms of communion and confession which are mandatory. There often is a specific dress code and other expectations of social and dietetic performance.

    This all started when Adam and Eve attempted to cover themselves with aprons of fig leaves.(9) God replaced them with coats of animal skins,(10) teaching them that by the shedding of innocent blood they would be covered. This was, of course, already pointing to the Cross.

    Religious righteousness can save no one. God says that this type of righteousness is as filthy rags.(11) External forms of righteousness have always competed with the true faith in Christ as the means of salvation and security.

    Religion's Failure

    The self-righteousness of religion will defile you. It will lead to a false sense of security and a deadly form of pride.

    When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. Ezekiel 33:13

    Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

    The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

    And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heav-en, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

    I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:10-14

    (Here was a self-righteous religious hypocrite. Note the frequent word, "I"; as he prays "with himself.")

    The flesh can never be trusted to walk in the love of God.

    Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12

    Putting on His breastplate of righteousness is not "putting on" your own good works, integrity, or honesty. It is not "putting on" Bible reading and prayer. It is not "putting on" church attendance. When we put on the cloak of His righteousness, it contrasts with our righteousness.

    And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Philippians 3:9

    But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise...

    That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:6, 9-10

    Our awesome righteousness is in Him:

    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

    When the Accuser comes to condemn me, I will be standing in God's very own breastplate! Remember, it is only the Bridegroom that can provide adequate wedding garments.12

    How do we do this?

    That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph 4:22-24

    Notes:

    1. Eph 6:10-18.
    2. Ps 19:14; 24:4; 32:11; 36:10; 51:10, 17; 62:10; 119:11; 139:23, 24; Prov 3:1; Mt 6:21; 12:35; 15:18, 19; Mk 7:6; Lk 6:45; Rom 10:9, 10; 1 Jn 3:21 are samples.
    3. Joshua Chapter 7.
    4. Ps 7:3-5.
    5. 1 Cor 4:2; Eph 6:5,6; Col 3:22.
    6. Mt 5:20.
    7. Jn 8:44.
    8. Mt 23:27, 28.
    9. Gen 3:7.
    10. Gen 3:21.
    11. Isa 64:6.
    12. Mt 22:12 (1-14).