BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

This piece of armour has two sides, one at the back and one at the front. It protects the heart and internal organs. It protects from sword, spear and arrows. Without this piece of armour, the body of the soldier is unprotected and his heart may be in danger. Once his heart fails, everything gives way. Remember this: THE DEVIL WILL AIM YOUR HEART!

The Bible calls this armour, Breatplate of Righteousness. When the Bible talks about Righteousness, there may be two meanings.

First, it is your position in Christ, you are righteous because of the Blood of Jesus. God took your sins and placed them upon Jesus when you accepted the Lord into your life. God accepts you now as a child of God. You must be sure of this! If not, maybe you have not heard the complete gospel. Maybe you have not fully known the power of the cross. But when you do know this truth, then you are ready to advance! You are ready for anything Satan throws at you! Your heart, the 'central organ' is protected!

Secondly, the Breastplate of Righteousness also means the righteous acts that flow out from that position. Do what is right in the eyes of God. Putting on this armour means you are willing to follow the orders of our Commander in Chief, Jesus Christ! A soldier must follow orders. The letter of James says it plainly, Faith without works is dead!

(1 John 3:18-22)

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.

Therefore, first things first, get right with God if you want victory, if you want to influence people for Jesus! In the thick of spiritual battle, the more you need the Breastplate! The more you need the confidence that God is pleased with your walk with Him. The conscience that is free! How many Christian became unfruitful because their conscience pricked them. Their past and present guilt rendered them ineffective.

Charles Spurgeon said, "Lose all rather than lose your integrity, and when all else is gone, still hold fast a clear conscience as the rarest jewel which can adorn the bosom of a mortal. A rarest jewel indeed!"

So, guard yourself against sins especially those addictive ones like pornography, drugs, alcohol and gambling, lying etc. If you are addicted to a habitual sin, then find someone more spiritual to help. Admit your sins and your need for help! You cannot win the war with Satan if you walk out of the will of God. The sin we commit will slowly and surely hurt us and eventually kill our faith if we do not deal with it. Little by little, it will grow into destruction of our faith. Final aim of our number one enemy is to destroy our faith! And thus stop your influence of the Gospel.

The devil knows our weaknesses and will do his best to make us sin against God. How then can we address sin or counsel people or share Christ with others when we ourselves are involved in habitual sin. Therefore, put on the breastplate of righteousness if you want to advance into the devil's territories and win the battle! Deal seriously with sin before it becomes a habitual sin. The earlier you talk it out with someone, the better you deal with it. I am not talking about perfection but living a commited Christian life!

Always refer to your position in Christ! That's the first meaning of the Breastplate of Righteousness mentioned above! The blood of Jesus cleanses you from all sins! When you know you are all clear, then you are ready to fight!!

(1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Note: Full Armoured Christians fight from the position of victory. With God's power and under the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are given the authority to preach the Gospel that will bring salvation and transform the lives of people! That may include our loved ones who have not received Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.

Next Part of Armour - Feet fitted with readiness. Don't miss it!
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2009/08/feet-fitted-with-gospel-of-peace.html