Understanding The Armor of God by Stella Ashworth | Page 7

CHAPTER TWO
Breastplate of Righteousness
“Having put on the breastplate of righteousness” Ephesians 6:14
The breastplate was a central part of the Roman soldier's armor—it provided protection for the torso, which contains
vital organs like the heart, lungs and so on. Without a breastplate, a soldier would be asking for death, as any attack
could instantly become fatal. With a sturdy breastplate, the very same attacks become ineffective and useless, as
blows glance off the armor.
Before battle, a soldier would fasten the breastplate around his chest like a vest to protect his vital organs. If a soldier
failed to wear his breastplate, an arrow could easily pierce his heart or lungs.
Every Christian has a vital "spiritual organ" which needs to be guarded above all else.
Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Psalm 51:17
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not despise.”
Luke 6:45
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil
stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Matthew 6:21
“ For
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Psalm 78:8
“They would not be like their ancestors - a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him.”
If our heart is stubborn, hard, or proud, we will be unable to believe the Word of God.
Why is your spiritual heart so important?
Paul said it best in Romans 10:10: “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your
mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
God offers us His righteousness on the basis of faith in His Son.
The breastplate of righteousness, then, is a gift obtained by faith. – Romans :17
Each of us can enter into right standing before God, by faith, on the basis of Christ's merits. It is then that "the peace
of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
Putting on the armor of God involves guarding our hearts with the breastplate of righteousness.
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