“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate 
 of righteousness in place“

Ephesians 6:14 

–

November 6, 2025  

The breastplate protects the heart and lungs of the foot soldier. It was designed to deflect or minimize any penetrating injury to the chest from sword thrusts or aerial missiles such as flying arrows or spears. After all, the organs located inside the chest behind the breastplate are vital for life.  

How does the breastplate of righteousness protect a believer? The righteousness of this piece of the armor of God has nothing to do with how well we live our lives. Rather, it is the perfect righteousness of Christ that protects us from the evil one. In fact, there is nothing else that can guard us against attacks of Satan. Although his accusations of our failures and mistakes reveal real shortcomings, we have God’s assurance of forgiveness.  

The breastplate of the righteousness of our Lord Jesus is secured when we bow our knee to Him as Savior and Lord and repent of our sin. Thus, when the accuser holds up our failures and mistakes before God, our advocate Jesus responds, “These sins have been forgiven, because I have already paid the price for them on the cross.” 

Righteousness is a precious gift. It can never be earned; on the contrary, we fall short every day. But as believers, we stand in the presence a holy God; we are clothed in the perfect righteousness of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Our standing with God is fully protected by the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord. Satan can say anything he wants, but our God responds with one word, “Forgiven!” Our breastplate is therefore impenetrable. We can go forward with this promise.  

Imagine a foot soldier marching toward enemy lines knowing that his breastplate could not be breached by any weapon used against him. This should be our confidence, not in ourselves, but in the sufficiency of what has already been done for us by our Lord Jesus in his suffering, death, and resurrection. No sword of condemnation, arrow of ridicule, or spear of accusation from the adversary can harm us. 

 Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • How confident are you in your protection by the breastplate of righteousness?  
  • What accusations from the evil one have you seen deflected by its protection?  
  • What is the role of repentance in this battle?  

Church Reading Plan: 2 Kings 19; Hebrews 1