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The next piece of armor is the Breastplate of Righteousness.
Proverbs teaches us that God values righteousness over sacrifice. But what is righteousness? Think of it this way, Paul says to not be ungodly or long for sinful things, but instead to be wise, devoted, and righteous. This lets us know that righteousness includes godliness and longing for what is right. He also reminds us that we’re slaves to whatever desires we obey. Obedience to our desire to honor God leads to righteousness. However, our righteousness shouldn’t be from ourselves, but a result of God working in us because of our faith in Him. In fact, Jesus says that righteousness will be supplied to those who seek it. One of the ways we can seek righteousness is to evaluate what’s right through the Bible. We’re told that an outcome of righteousness is peace. Paul warns though, that letting the wrong people pour into us can mislead our understanding of what is right and hinder us from seeking righteousness.
Three ways we can pray the Breastplate on are: First, prayerfully study the Bible. When we’re reading the Bible, studying scripture passages, or reciting memory verses, take time to pray about them. Pray that we’d have a better understanding about the verse and that God would speak to us through them. Second, ask God to help us follow His commands. As we pray over God’s Word, we’ll find His commands. Seeking God’s assistance to obey these rules will make righteousness abundant in our lives. Third, pray that God would create a desire in us to pursue what is right. We’re asking for a heart change that will create protection for our hearts. Fourth, talk with God about wanting to be used to promote righteousness. Sharing a desire to help others see the value of righteousness with Him can grow our own value of it.
The Breastplate can help you by: Guarding your heart from desiring evil – When you’re being surrounded by what’s good, it makes evil things seem unattractive. Protecting your emotions from being manipulated – Knowing what’s right gives us power over our emotions and desires. Shielding your trust and joy you have in God – It provides truthful hope against doubt and true peace against anxiety.
God’s Guidance:
Ephesians 6:14 (NIV) – “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,”
Proverbs 21:3 (NIV) – “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”
Titus 2:12-13 (NLT) – “And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.”
Romans 6:16 (NIV) – “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?”
Philippians 3:8-9 (NIV) – “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
Matthew 5:6 (NIV) – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Isaiah 32:17-18 (NIV) – “The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.”
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 (NLT) – “Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Isaiah 48:17-18 (NLT) – “This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.”
2 Timothy 2:22 (NLT) – “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.”
Romans 6:9-14 (NIV) – “For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
Philippians 4:7 (NIV) – “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
1 John 3:20 (NIV) – “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”
Psalms 28:7 (NIV) – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Application:
1. Ask God what it would look like for you to be used to not just do what’s right, but to also prompt it in others
2. Come up with a one or two sentence prayer for praying the Breastplate of Righteousness on whenever an attack or temptation seems imminent
3. Evaluate what has been driving your emotions, talk to God about wanting Him to be the keeper of and guide of your emotions
Strength Point:
Praying the Breastplate of Righteousness on protects and creates a moral defense for our emotions, values, desires, trust levels, and motivations.
Song of the Week:
Prayer Prompt:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for being righteous. You are the pure definition of righteousness. I’m sorry for doing what is wrong. Forgive me for knowing the right thing to do and then choosing to do the wrong thing. I’m sorry for letting my heart be attracted to evil. Lord, I need so much help with guarding my heart. You knew I would though, that’s why You provide the Breastplate of Righteousness. I pray it on me right now. As I go about my day, my week, this month – let my heart be shielded from desiring wicked things. Replace it with a greater desire for You. Teach me to surround myself with people who make godly decisions, activities that glorify You, and __. In this way, help choosing what’s right at all times become easier to me. You never question Yourself over what is right or wrong, because what’s right comes from You and who You are. At the core of Your being is righteousness. I love You, God! In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen.
A Prayer to Pray over Others:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for being righteous. You are the pure definition of righteousness. Help my friend to not do what is wrong. Forgive us for knowing the right thing to do and then choosing to do the wrong thing. Keep my friend’s heart from being attracted to evil. Lord, we need so much help with guarding our hearts. You knew we would though, that’s why You provide the Breastplate of Righteousness. I pray it on my friend right now. As they go about their day, their week, this month – let their heart be shielded from desiring wicked things. Replace it with a greater desire for You. Teach my friend to surround themselves with people who make godly decisions, activities that glorify You, and media that prompts righteousness. In this way, help choosing what’s right at all times become easier to my friend. You never question Yourself over what is right or wrong, because what’s right comes from You and who You are. At the core of Your being is righteousness. I love You, God! In Your Name, Jesus, I pray, amen.