The Weapon of Righteousness

When a relentless pursuit of the truth becomes lived out as our routine, there results a righteousness to guard our hearts.  If truth secures and preserves our inner core as a belt, righteousness protects our hearts as a breastplate.  At that point, the torso of the armor of God is complete.

When a police officer wears a bulletproof vest or an umpire wears a chest guard, the purpose is to protect the soft tissues and vital organs from projectiles.  When the Christian dons the breastplate of righteousness, no matter what comes to attack our decisive will or our heart for God, the force of the attack will be absorbed and injury will be minimized.

How do we put on a breastplate of righteousness?

Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

We gain it every time we recognize God’s truth, embrace it, and apply it.  Living a life of righteousness isn’t easy in our culture, but it’s a necessary part of the protective gear for every Christian who stands his ground.