05/27/2025
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
---IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR MOTHER, ETHEL MAE---
MONDAY, MAY 26, 2025
“The Whole Armor of God”
(Belt of Truth and Breastplate of Righteousness)
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ---EPHESIANS 6:14 (NKJV)
The first two parts of God’s armor are noted in this verse. Paul describes these parts of a Roman soldier’s clothing in the order they would have been put on. First, he mentions the “belt of truth.” He begins his description of our spiritual armor with the belt of truth because truth is at the core of everything we do and say and believe. It is the truth that keeps us upright, sets us free, and allows us ease of movement in this life, while at the same time offering us core support, just as it did for the Roman soldier. Since a soldier carried more equipment than most, the belt helped him remain upright, stable, and strong while on his feet. Truth is essential for the believer. In other words, the “belt of truth” is a symbolic piece of armor that believers are encouraged to put on, representing the foundational importance of truth in their spiritual lives. It signifies relying on God’s Word, which is truth, for guidance and stability in facing spiritual warfare.
The second part that Paul describes in this verse is the “breastplate of righteousness” and the belt would hold the breastplate in place. The Roman soldier’s breastplate was typically made from bronze and would cover the vital body parts of his body, like the heart, lungs, and other essential organs, without the breastplate the soldier was vulnerable, and he could quickly lose his life during battle. Paul emphasizes the importance of putting on the full armor of God, specifically the breastplate of righteousness, to guard our hearts from sin and the enemy’s schemes. Without Christ’s righteousness, like the soldier without his breastplate, we are vulnerable to spiritual attacks and easily drawn into sin. Believing that Jesus makes you righteous is essential for spiritual protection and every believer is clothed with the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). But he or she must also manifest integrity and uprightness in their personal life. Righteousness, or doing what is right, is essential to protecting the life of the believer through spiritual battle. Also, the breastplate is a primary means of identification: this is one of the clearer ways for soldiers to recognize each other while in battle. Likewise, Christian behavior is meant to identify them to the world, and other believers, as a follower of Jesus. -–About Our Father’s Business Ministries
