Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
The equipment the Lord calls us to use for our spiritual battles doesn’t look like the weapons of the world. We are not only called to defend, we are often called to go on the offense and defeat the devil and all his schemes. The Lord has provided us with the tools and the strength we need in order to claim victory.
The first thing we must do when coming to battle with the enemy, and in our everyday living for that matter, is to fasten the belt of truth. Once we take a stand for the Lord, our posture is to walk in the truth of the Gospel in all that we do. When we are upright and walking in integrity, we are able to defend the lies and rumors of the enemy with a clear conscience without hypocrisy. Once we compromise on the truth of the Gospel, the truth of who we are in Christ, or simply the truth in the way we live, then the enemy begins to access a foothold in our lives. Walking with the belt of truth establishes our stance with the enemy and when we are consistant he will discover that there is no way into our heart and minds with any sort of successful attack.
Next we are to put on the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate symbolizes our entire inner man being protected by the way we live our lives. It isn’t an external piece of equipment, rather, it is the righteousness we have already obtained through Jesus Christ. No one can overcome the power of temptation unless he is righteous. This includes integrity, holiness, purity, sincerity, and devotion to the Lord. But our righteousness is not something we achive on our own, it is imputed to us through the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul says in 2Corinthians chapter 5 that Christ became our sin so that we become the righteousness of God. In his amazing grace, God made a way for us to become righteous. Through him we have been set apart for the work of the Lord and in the power of His might to live a life that is holy, pure, and devoted to the Lord. It is not our own doing but the work of Christ in and through us.
The breastplate of righteousness, along with the belt of truth will stave off many of the accusations and attacks from the enemy and allow us to claim victory in Jesus Christ. In the next verses Paul shows us even more weapons for us to overcome in even greater ways!
Have a blessed day in Christ.