Verses 14-17 "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..."
Paul tells us to stand firm prepared and ready to do battle because we are fully equipped with the armor of God.
The belt of truth holds all the other armor in place; without the belt a warrior would lose all the rest of his protective covering. If the belt of truth is lost then the rest of the armor of God falls off and we are defenseless; the belt of truth is an essential piece of armor.
Paul wants us to speak the truth, to follow the example of Jesus who is the truth. Everything we do and say should be marked by truth. Living by the truth simplifies life; whatever is true we embrace while anything that is not true we reject. If a thought comes into our mind that is not in agreement with God’s word, then we dismiss it. If we have an opportunity to do or say anything that compromises or conflicts with the truth we avoid it. Adopt a simple rule for living: if it is true act upon it, build upon it, make it part of your life; if it is not the truth eliminate it, turn your back on it.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
a. God cleanses us from all unrighteousness and puts the righteousness of Christ upon us.
Putting on the breastplate of righteousness means two important things in our lives.
The breastplate of righteousness puts us in agreement with God about our sin.
We put on the breastplate of righteousness as we confess our sins to God. Confession is not simply saying, “O God I’m sorry.” Some of us are only sorry because we got caught.
Confession comes from the Greek word “homologeo” which is made up of two Greek words: “homo” meaning one or the same, and “logos” meaning word. So literally confession means to speak the same word. We agree with God about our sin; we don’t try to rationalize or make excuses for our sin, but we agree with God and say, “Lord what I have done or said is sin, now come and forgive me; wash me and make me clean again.”
Putting on the breastplate of righteousness does not mean you will never sin again. Rather it means you recognize sin in your life and turn from it immediately; when you sin you are quick to agree with God that He might again clothe you with His righteousness.
Likewise the breastplate of righteousness does not give us an excuse to continue in habitual sin. God wants us to become more and more like Jesus to live in victory over sin.
The breastplate of righteousness protects us from the accuser of the brethren.
If Satan cannot keep you from agreeing with God about your sin, he will try to defeat you by continually reminding you of your sin and unrighteousness. Satan will remind you of your past sin, right up to the point you agreed with God about it and received God’s forgiveness.
When Satan reminds you of your past, that’s the time to remind him of his future. The breastplate of righteousness protects you from Satan’s flaming arrows of accusation. You can continue to agree with God about your sin saying, “I’m forgiven for God has cleansed me of all unrighteousness.”
The breastplate of righteousness protects you form Satan finger pointing; the devil’s indictment holds no authority. Christ has purchased your pardon on the cross of Calvary! Don’t live in continual defeat; agree with God and have victory over your sin, past and present!
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