E73 - Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions - Armor of GOD - Breastplate of Righteousness - 3 of 7
Hope’s Harbor
Gritty Bible Devotions
Episode #73
Title: The Armor of GOD – Breastplate of Righteousness – 3 of 7
Date: September 26, 2022
Contact: info@hopesharbor.net
Key verse(s): Eph 6:14 – ‘having put on the breastplate of righteousness…’
Intro: In episode 72 the focus was on the Belt of Truth. This belt surrounds us. This episode is focused on The Breastplate of protection for our vital parts of spiritual life but unlike the belt, the breastplate is on the front. This tells us we are to face the enemy. And like the belt, the breastplate must be applied.
It means there is more work to do on our part if we want to live protected from the lies surrounding us on 3 sides. What about our back? We should be backed up to GOD, standing with GOD. We cannot just hold a piece of armor without wearing it and hope to be safe any more than holding a prescription for lifesaving medicine but then not applying it.
Devotion focus: Donning the breastplate… of righteousness –
Before going further I want to remind you in case you do not know, the only righteousness David Bradley has comes from the Son of GOD.
Just how important is righteousness? The word means holy and right. The implication is we do what is right, always. Going back to the belt of truth, it means we tell the truth, always.
In my career in law enforcement, would you expect me to have always told the truth and always do what is right, or only part of the time? The answer should be obvious.
When I was in construction lying was a normal practice. A builder or another sub-contractor would schedule me to install trim work in a house or building under construction and then there would be no materials there. Invariably I would learn later they knew the whole time the materials were not ready.
Because of their dishonesty, I would waste a complete morning at a job site not ready. I once had a deacon at my church who was also a framing contractor do this to me. When I discovered the deceit I called him on it. He hemmed-hawed around then said, “I hate to say it, but sometimes in this line of work you have to lie.” Boldface lied to me and did he apologize? No.
It’s easy to see how truthfulness and righteousness are closely tied together. But how does doing what is right protect our vital spiritual organs?
If we remember the armor is GOD’s, it is the first step in understanding what Paul meant by the breastplate of righteousness. For GOD will not protect us from any form of deceit we choose to practice.
However, when we choose to honor GOD by learning and applying His truth to our lives and practicing integrity in our lives by living as honest people, GOD’s protection is in place.
Here’s an example of living without a piece of armor, of not doing what is right as called for by law. After signing the tax forms and it says in part just above your signature ‘Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined a copy of the income tax return I am now authorizing, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete. Etc…” Is it the truth? Or was earnings information withheld?
Let’s say you don’t fully report your income or in some other way misrepresent the information given. In GOD’s Word, it’s called a lie. And now the deceit comes to light through an audit. You get caught. There you sit, sweating.
Don’t even think about sharing the Gospel with that IRS agent now for all credibility is gone. When I tell this scenario at times when Bible teaching I always see the disapproval on men’s faces. I’ve had a few of them take me aside after the lesson and explain why they think I’m wrong to use that as an example of honesty.
I understand the reasoning for not reporting income or claiming deductions that are false when required to pay taxes to a wasteful government. But Jesus told when asked about taxes due the Romans and pay what is due.
Listen to this account from Matthew 22:17-21:
Vs 17 – “Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"
Vs 18 – ‘But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?
Vs 19 – “Show Me the tax money." So they brought Him a denarius.
Vs 20 – ‘And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?"
Vs 21 – ‘They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
Now get this: Jesus told them to pay what they owed to the very tyrant and to his government that will execute Him.
The point here is our part is to do what is right, using wisdom. And before you think no one will know whether you cheat on your taxes, consider this from 2 Corinthians 5:10 – ‘For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.’
Scofield and Meyer’s commentary both explain this judgment is not for mortal sin, for rewards according to all a Christian does in this life. I would add ‘for rewards or loss thereof.’
Let's bring the focus back to doing what is right, always. Taxes are not the issue here. As true as that example is concerning the honest payment of tax, the issue is about your mindset of living in a way that not only honors Christ but is also pleasing to Him. Colossians 1:10 reinforces this requirement
Colossians 1:10 – ‘that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…’
When we seek to please GOD in how we conduct ourselves each and every day, GOD’s power keeps us within His will. Does this mean we’ll never suffer pain and loss? No. It means GOD’s power keeps us from living for the devil and keeps us from losing our faith. The ranks of atheists are growing, many of whom once professed faith in Jesus.
Summary: Living a life of always seeking to do what is right in the sight of GOD, according to His commandments spelled out in the Bible, and ensures a life lived without spiritual regrets, without spiritual losses.
Action to consider: Take time today, right now if possible, and write out how you will put on the breastplate of righteousness by living by a strict code of integrity, of doing what is right, even when no one is watching and no one may ever know your deeds of honesty.
Next week’s devotion: Being ready to walk according to the Gospel of Peace -