EPISODE 0096 | Breastplate Of Righteousness

Biblical WisdomSpiritual WarRighteousness

Jan 22

THESE NOTES ACCOMPANY EPISODE 0096

Righteousness is a vital part of spiritual warfare, protecting our hearts and anchoring us in Christ. In this episode, we unpack the significance of the Breastplate of Righteousness in the armor of God, exploring how it guards our spiritual lives and gives us victory over the enemy’s accusations. Discover how to put on this essential armor, live in the righteousness of Christ, and stand firm against spiritual attacks with confidence in God’s grace.

Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness

Five Characteristics of the Breastplate of Righteousness

1. It was the most beautiful and striking part of the Roman’s armor.

2. It was largest in front because its greatest purpose was the cover vital organs.

3. Most were made out of brass and soldiers would keep them polished. Together their breastplates would be blinding reflecting the sun.

4. It was covered on the front and back with inscriptions, and markings identifying the soldiers unit, hometown, etc.

5. It weighed in excess of 40 pounds. A 40lb weight is heavy to carry.

Isaiah 59:15-17a (CSB) 14 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far off. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter. 15 Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil is plundered. The Lord saw that there was no justice, and he was offended. 16He saw that there was no man— he was amazed that there was no one interceding; so his own arm brought salvation, and his own righteousness supported him. 17 He put on righteousness as body armor..”

This is talking about Jesus. He had the breastplate first because he is God and the only righteous.

The first one to wear this breastplate was Jesus!

Understanding Righteousness:

1. God is the righteous standard. Righteousness starts with God. Why is God qualified to set the standard of righteousness?

· God is absolutely good, perfect & righteous.

· God is Omniscient (all knowing)

· God is Omnipresent (all places at all times)

· God is Omnipotent (all powerful)

2. Our righteousness is determined by God’s righteousness.

Isaiah 64:6 (CSB)6All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment; all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

3. Jesus was and is righteous.

It was prophesied about him:

Jeremiah 23:5–6 (CSB) 5 “Look, the days are coming”—this is the Lord’s declaration— “when I will raise up a Righteous Branch for David. He will reign wisely as king and administer justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. This is the name he will be called: The Lord Is Our Righteousness.

4. Jesus paid the penalty of our sin and gave us his righteousness.

Paul echo’s the same in:

2 Corinthians 5:21 (CSB) 21He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

(The Great Exchange) He didn’t only pay the penalty for our sin, but he gave us his righteousness in exchange for our sinfulness.

Paul wants us to take on this new identity to protect and preserve the very core of who we are in Christ. He wants us to know that:

5. The Breastplate of Righteousness is our righteousness in Christ.

Lets get practical: In every relationship, we are accepted because of what we do. Not so in our relationship with God. We are accepted by God because of what He did. God’s Grace isn’t practical, lets not make practical what is meant to be supernatural!

We have zero to offer and God has 100% to give.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (CSB)8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—9not from works, so that no one can boast.

How To Put on the Breastplate of Righteousness:

1. Run to Jesus. Wrapped up in his death burial and resurrection, is your salvation and mine. You cannot save yourself. He is your rock, redeemer, and your salvation.

Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”

It is a moment that starts a journey, journey never started, surrender probably didn’t happen.

2. Stay Humble. Remember God created you, you didn’t create Him. You orbit him not other way around. Heaven isn’t for the ones who are so holy, it’s for the ones that are so humble.

James 4:6 (CSB) 6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

3. Keep Listening. A complete understanding of God’s Grace doesn’t happen over night, we learn like a child learns how to walk., one step at a time.

Romans 10:17 (CSB) 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.

This is why we MUST take The Local Church so seriously. You need other Christians, you need pastors, leaders, other Christian brothers and sisters who will tell you the truth!

4. Repent often. When you fall short, receive God’s grace & mercy. Repent and return.

Mercy – we don’t receive the punishment we deserve.
Grace – means we receive the goodness and the power we don’t deserve.

*We need both to overcome the enemy and have spiritual victory.

Mercy and grace create the space we need to overcome sin and the evil one.