B. The Breastplate of Righteousness – Session 4 – Part 2B - The Romans soldier's breastplate covered all his vital organs, both in front and behind. It was usually made of metal. In Ephesians 6:14,
Paul drew a very important connection to our life in Christ from the
breastplate's purpose. Paul called this piece of spiritual armor, "The
Breastplate of Righteousness." Putting on this breastplate is a process
requiring the identification and removal of sin from our lives. It is an
active process that requires a strong will to put God first. We must
totally submit ourselves to God; seeking God's kingdom and righteousness
must be our first priority.
God promised to draw nigh to us if we will draw nigh to Him (James 4:8).
Drawing nigh to God requires that we deal with the stuff in our life
that is not of Him. That means we must identify and remove sin from our
lives. One thing that separates us from God is sin. Many people
knowingly tolerate certain types of sin, rationalizing that the sins we
entertain are not as grievous as those we shun.
If you tolerate sin, deal with it now.
Examine yourself to identify your sin. Name it, confess it, and ask God
for His forgiveness. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9). James 5:16
instructs us to confess our faults to one another to receive healing.
We don't need to live in bondage. God made a way for us to be free! John 8:36 says, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
Romans 8:31-39 says, "31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is
he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen,
who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for
us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love
of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor
height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Amen! Knowing this truth gives us
strength, but we still must take it into our heart so that we walk in
it. God expects us to live righteously. Doing so requires that we
confess our sins so that the devil has no opportunity to attack and put
us back into bondage. Ephesians 4:17-18 says, "not to walk as the gentiles walked." The Greek word for gentile means "pagan" or "heathen." Gentiles, the unsaved, take their walking instructions from Satan, not God. Whose kingdom are you taking instruction from?
Ephesians 4:22 says to put off the old man. The old man is Satan's spirit and nature. Romans 6:6 also refer to the old man. He is, "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9; John 8:44; I John 3:8, 5:18).
Ephesians 4:23 says we need to be renewed. Being renewed means that the whole course of life flows in a different direction (II Corinthians 5:17-18). We renew our mind by renouncing its vanity (Ephesians 4:17), its darkness and blindness (Ephesians 4:18) and learning of Christ (Ephesians 4:20-21).
Ephesians 4:24 says to put on the new man. The new man is the Spirit and nature of God (Ephesians 4:23-24; II Peter 1:4; Romans 8:9, 14-16). Verse 22 of Ephesians 4 says to put off the old man and again, Ephesians 4:24 says to put on the new man.
Here we see a characterization of the two kingdoms. We have choices to
make. We can manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit, or the fruit and
nature of Satan and his demons. What will your choice be? We put aside the old man each time we repent or forgive; each time we choose to do His will. This is called sanctification.
Ephesians 4:27 says, "Neither give place to the devil."
This verse provides a very important insight and principle needing more
attention. Sin gives Satan a place or opportunity to occupy our minds
and affect our spirits. These are strong words with serious
implications. The Greek word for "place" is topos, meaning
"place, opportunity, position, home, license or room." Tolerating any
sin in our lives opens the door to Satan, separating us from God. If we
harbor sin in our lives, choosing not to forgive others or ourselves,
then we lose our peace and fellowship with our heavenly Father. We cannot experience the joy of walking with God.
We put on the Breastplate of Righteousness through forgiveness: first by receiving God’s forgiveness for our sin; and second, by forgiving those that have hurt us.
Forgiveness quenches the fiery darts of the devil. Forgiveness removes
the pain from memories and experiences. Forgiveness is how God intended
each of us to protect ourselves.
Now that we have an understanding about
“The Breastplate of Righteousness,” let’s see how to put it on. To put
on “The Breastplate of Righteousness:”
- Make sure that we are God's child in accordance with Scripture.
- Ask God to reveal any place where we have tolerated or opened ourselves to sin. Jeremiah 17:9 says that our heart is deceitful, who can trust it. God will let us know.
- Apply 1 John 1:9. Confess our sin, specifically naming it, and agree with God that it is sin. Quit doing it. Ask God for His strength and discernment not to repeat the sin.
- Thank God for His forgiveness, and what He continues to do in our lives.If we have stolen, or if we have wronged others, we need to set these situations right. Sometimes we don't remember these situations. Ask God to reveal whom we need to make restitution. If the person has died, or if we have no way to make contact with them, go to God and ask for forgiveness. Ask for His supernatural peace.
- When Satan comes to accuse, take the sword — God's word — and tell him out loud be gone. Show him your affidavits, reminding him and yourself that you are forgiven and that you have forgiven others. Satan must obey your command to leave you alone. Speak out loud to Satan as he cannot hear your thoughts. Only God can hear our thoughts.
May the peace of God guard your hearts and minds ALWAYS!!!
Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks
****Click to accept Christ as YOUR personal Lord & Savior****
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