Breastplate of Sin

Breastplate of Sin
July 13, 2009
Ephesians 6:13-14 " Therefore put on the full armor of God. . . Stand firm then. . . with the breastplate of righteousness in place . . . "

As Christians we are told to put on the full armor of God so that we may be able to combat the enemy and his schemes against us in this life. Whether you want to admit it or not, there is a spiritual battle over your life and you will be attacked every day by Satan and his legion of demons. That is why we are to wear God's armor. This armor is meant to protect us and hinder Satan's successful attack on us. But the metaphorical pieces of the armor in Scripture are not always clear or easy to understand. The Breastplate of Righteousness is a key component to the armor of God, but there are very few clear explanations of what that means, as the Bible does not explain it.

The breastplate was originally a piece of armor that protected the chest. A warrior would use it to protect himself from a sword or arrow piercing into the chest. It was first made of leather and later made of different metals. The goal of the breastplate was to protect the major or vital organs, the most important organ being the heart. The Bible's analogy of the Breastplate of Righteousness was also intending to protect the heart, or the source of life. Righteousness is intended to protect our heart, the vital organ for life. To better understand the Bible's analogy, consider the opposite, a Breastplate of Sin. A Breastplate of Sin might be black and covered with wretched filth. You wouldn't, as a Christian, clothe yourself in sin, hoping it would protect you and keep you safe. In fact, just the opposite. As a Christian, the only thing that sin leads to is certain death, yes physical death, but more importantly, spiritual death and separation from God.

Righteousness is being sinless. A Breastplate of Righteousness would be pure white, spotless, sinless, and free from blame or guilt or the law of sin that leads to death. Righteousness leads to life eternal with God and is the only thing that allows you to stand in the same room as God. God desires a righteous life from us, but knowing that we are full of sin, He provided a way for our breastplate to be white, rather than black. Through the forgiveness of sins, your breastplate is now white, only you are expected to make efforts to maintain that righteousness, or sinless life. The Breastplate of Righteousness is your new sinless life, covering or protecting your pure heart, free from the law of sin and death. Righteousness protects your heart and keeps it alive, literally forever.

When you are wearing your Breastplate of Righteousness, Satan cannot attack your heart, separating it from God. If your breastplate is made out of righteousness, you are protected from blame, guilt, and all the other arrows the enemy might throw at you. You will be able to withstand the attacks of the enemy. Conversely, if you are wearing your breastplate of sin, you are open to all the attacks of Satan, all the blame and guilt he can muster against you, which will kill you, ultimately leading to the death of your heart and eternal separation from God.

And just as a warrior must put on armor every day, so must you put on the Breastplate of Righteousness, as the attack continues. If you fail to make sure your breastplate is white, or made of righteousness, you will look down one day and realize you are wearing a black one, a Breastplate of Sin, and then it might be too late. Satan's arrow will be able to pierce your heart and forever separate you from God.

1. What color is your current breastplate, black or white?
2. How can you make sure your breastplate is pure white?
3. How can you put on the Breastplate of Righteousness every day?

Add. Scriptures for Study: Is 59:17, Ez 18:26, Matt 5:20, Rom 6:16, Eph 6:13-15, 1 Tim 6:11, 1 Peter 2:24