Our Enemy, the Devil - Pt 7

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. (Ephesians 6:13-18 ESV). Next the apostle lists “the breastplate of righteousness.” The breastplate was a central part of the Roman soldier's armor; it provided protection for the torso, which contains vital organs like the heart, lungs and so on. Without a breastplate, a soldier would be asking for death, as any attack could instantly become fatal. With a sturdy breastplate, the very same attacks become ineffective and useless, as blows glance off the armor. To be righteous is to do what is right in God's eyes. God's commandments are righteousness. In contrast, lawlessness is sin, and sin is the opposite of righteousness. So to be righteous is to obey God's laws of love. Iniquities and sins are actions and thoughts that go against God's laws. Since they are in conflict with God's way of living and are harmful to ourselves and others, we cut ourselves off from God and His protection! It should not be lost on us that there are none of us who may make a claim to any measure of righteousness. The prophet Isaiah says, We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. (Isaiah 64:6 ESV). Some translations use the phrase “filthy rags” when translating “polluted garment.” The meaning is very clear. No matter how good we may behave, our good deeds are no more than trash. They are polluted by our sin and rebellion. Once we recognize this truth, we must turn our attention to the one man who entered our race and lived fulfilling every law, Jesus. Unlike any other, Jesus makes the claim of righteousness on our behalf through his work on the Cross. Of course, this does not preclude us from being righteous in our lives; it does mean without Jesus our efforts are in vain. To defeat our enemy we must put on the person of Jesus Christ, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Get your breastplate on!