Breastplate of righteousness - 23 September 2024

The breastplate’s importance as a piece of armour needed to outwit the devil is sometimes overlooked. It naturally protects one’s heart, which in the Bible represents the mind, will and thoughts of humans. The devil is always trying to get a foothold into our hearts, because once the heart is infiltrated, he can use it to sow all kinds of chaos in our lives.

The Bible sheds light as follows: “‘In your anger do not sin’: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:26-27)

I have only recently learnt what the breastplate means in the fight of the ages. The devil slithers his way into our thoughts and casts aspersions all the time. It is only when we stand up against it in righteousness – imputed by Jesus – but also by righteous living that we gain victory.

David exhibits this to a tee during his encounter with Goliath, when he relied on both God and his life’s successes in keeping with his faith. As such, his confidence to take on his adversary was bolstered. “But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.’” (1 Samuel 17:34-37)

How powerful the life of the Christian can be if only we hold to God’s Word. Then, on the day the devil comes to terrorise us, we can tell him of our faith and successes in God. The Bible also prompts us to resist the devil, promising us that he will flee (James 4:7). Therefore, if we stand on the Word, and live right lives of obedience before God; the devil has no choice but to slither off. That is the power of obedience, and righteousness.

Like Jesus, the devil may wait for an opportune time to attack, but the believer will be that much stronger knowing that one round of the battle has been won; it is just a matter of time. Like D-Day for the Allies on the beach in Normandy, France, all those years ago. They just got a toehold on that strip of beach, but it was enough to turn the tide of the Second World War.

Not giving an inch will help us in our war with the devil. Winston Churchill said it best: “We shall fight on beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender. “

Prayer: Father God, please help us to live lives based on your Word. May it direct our steps so that we can live victoriously. Amen