Tuesday Talk…How to put on the armor of God (Week 2)

Every Tuesday we engage in one big question, topic or idea. You are invited to add your comment or private message with a suggestion you want to share. I surely do not have all the answers but know that together we can generate some great conversation and have fun in the process. Together, we will stay informed and equipped about topics that matter!

Tuesday Talk topic for this week: The Armor of God week 2 (Click here for week 1 – The Feet of Peace)

Today’s Blog Contributor: Katie Rogers writes about the Breastplate of Righteousness

In the book of Ephesians the apostle Paul uses the illustration of armor to teach us how to live Jesus lives and bring peace, love, and joy to a broken world.

Every Tuesday for the next 7 weeks we will examine what it means to put on each piece of the armor of God. Did you know you are a warrior woman! Jump in and join the conversation. You are valuable and loved.

Paul wrote, “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Ephesians 6:11-17 NLT).

And having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God. (Ephesians 6:14b Amplified)

Have you ever felt condemned? Ever felt attacked by others or by the devil? Ever lacked assurance? Felt unworthy? Of course! We all have at some point or another. These are all signs we aren’t equipped with God’s armor.

If you are wearing God’s Breastplate of Righteousness, you can rest secure that your heart, your emotions, are securely guarded and adequately protected against attack.

When we accepted Christ as our savior we traded our filthy rags, our unworthiness in for his worth, his righteousness. When we place the Breastplate of Righteousness upon us we set aside all our ideas, notions and efforts to make us worthy enough for Jesus. We will never be worthy enough on our own.

The Roman Soldiers of days past recognized that without the Breastplate they were going into battle without protection, stripping themselves of boldness and the ability to advance forward in battle. When we lose sight of what the Breastplate of righteousness offers us and the grace it extends we begin to commit works in our own strength. We must realize that we leave ourselves fully exposed and vulnerable to the enemy when we discard the Breastplate of Righteousness.

What is righteousness and how does it apply to us? Dele Oake says, “Righteousness is twofold. Firstly, it is imputed to us: this means something we are given free of charge without effort. This gives us the right to stand before God and speak to him as if we were sinless. Secondly righteousness is imparted into us: this means something that Christ works in us and with our cooperation. This grants us the inner strength to live and conduct ourselves in a manner that is pleasing to God.”

Don’t miss out on equipping yourself with the ability to be protected as you storm the battle field. Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Guard your heart with the armor given to you by God so that you can continue in right relationship with Christ and with others.