Breastplate of Righteousness

Well, here we go again.  I can not shake these verses and so I will press through for more understanding.  Next piece of armor, the breastplate of righteousness.   


So the Roman soldier wore this breastplate that went the full length of their mid body, from shoulder through the entire torso.  The purpose to guard the chest and stomach area.  To take a hit in battle through this area meant almost certain death to the soldier.  As I think about it, it occurs to me that this breastplate covers the very core of our being - our hearts.  No Roman soldier would go into battle without his breastplate.  It was often made of leather or heavy linen, sewn onto this breastplate were overlapping slices of animal hooves or horns or pieces of metal. Some were made of large pieces of metal molded or hammered to conform to the body. The purpose of that piece of armor is obvious—to protect the heart, lungs, intestines, and other vital organs.

For us the breastplate is simply made of righteousness.  Given the context of the Roman soldiers armor it's clear that righteousness is a powerful piece of this armor we are to wear. What about righteousness... seems a very religious word, really who is righteous?  I am not.  Still for my protection I am told to put it on.  We are not told to put of self-righteousness, self-righteousness is prideful, self indulgent and harmful to the cause of the Kingdom.  In fact, scripture tell us our righteousness is as filthy rags.  If we are to wear this righteousness it can come from only one source - God Himself inputs righteousness into us through our salvation and through the in-filling of His spirit.  God - He is righteous - He is the only one who can gift this to us.

So what is this righteousness? The breastplate of righteousness that we put on as spiritual armor against our adversary is the practical righteousness of a life lived in obedience to God’s Word. It is righteous
behavior, which having been done, will “not give the devil opportunity” (Colossians 3:9-14.).   This righteousness is living moment by moment in obedience to God. To put it another way, this part of the armor is simply holy living as defined in the Bible.

Holy living protects our mind and emotions.  Is there a place in your life the devil attacks more than our mind and emotions?  Satan fills our minds and hearts with lies, self-doubt and debilitating fear.   These darts have the power to literally "take us out" of the game.

Today's bottom line:  We are not wrestling against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and wickedness in high places.  Our fight is with a source we can not even see.  His attacks often comes against our mind and spirit and our breastplate of righteousness is intended to protect us from those attacks.
Thoughts anyone?