Breastplate of Righteousness
Breastplate of Righteousness – The second outfit for DEFENCE
Having put on the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)
As we begin to know our true self, we begin to understand that we need a complete outfit to survive in this world otherwise we will conform to the ways of this world without knowing it. But the awakening of our spiritual self is important to sustain our identity less the world gives us an identity that is not ours.
Knowing that our survival in this world requires a firm grounding in the absolute truth of the Bible, our defence continues to build up with the breastplate of righteousness.
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But we belong to the day; therefore, let us be sober and put on the breastplate (corslet) of faith and love (1 Thessalonians 5 verse 8 ) |
1 Thessalonians 5, verses 1 through to 28 preferably in Amplified will bring better understanding of the above scripture. You see, there is no righteousness without the death and resurrection of Jesus and there will be no atonement of sin either. We are of the day, not the night and this can only happen by FAITH and the practice of LOVE. See 2 Corinthians 5:21 (Amplified Bible), Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 10:22
Simply put, righteousness can not be achieved by just following and obeying the laws and instructions only. Philippians 3:9 (Amplified Bible) explains to us that only by the saving faith in Jesus can we attain righteous living.
Image by Bill Osborne. www.BillOsborne.com
A Practical way to always wear our breastplate of righteousness is to confess our faith in Christ Jesus. Always declaring that we are covered by His righteousness and not ours and there for NO enemy can get through our gates.
We can always maintain the breastplate of righteousness by living according to God’s instructions for daily living as all the finding you series have directed and most importantly from biblical instructions, advices and examples. See Romans 6:19 and Romans 8:11,13.
We must also live in love as a practice, because love as Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 never fails. Love provides our breastplate with protection, trust, hope and perseverance; they all make the breastplate of faith stay together and protect our survival in this world.
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We encourage you to change your media diet, be selective in your audio diet and also start building up further faith based habits such as reading biblical based books and always remember to check the bible for the truth in all you indulge yourself in. Check out our book reviews section for books we have read and have found to be helpful. Should you need immediate advice, please contact us via walkwithme@dvsoul.org.uk. |
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DV SOUL – Awakening the Spirit of God in man
Preparation of the Gospel of PEACE
Now that you can stand [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around you and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, we move on to the next item in our outfit for complete success in daily survival while we are in this world.
Preparation of the Gospel of PEACE , third outfit for DEFENCE
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Ephesians 6:14 AMPLIFIED. And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. |
Shod (wear) on you the preparation of the Gospel of peace, the good news. Can you imagine walking every where without shoes? Going to work, your daily activities and doing everything outside as well as inside the comfort of your home without shoes? The thought of it is kind of worrying I am sure you agree.
The weather will be the first to bite and other pain will be expected to set in as there is no protection for the feet (needed for movement), injury will be eminent and movement will be slow if not a total standstill. The Gospel of Peace, the good news is like our shoes, we should always have them on.
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2 Timothy 2 15Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skilfully teaching] the Word of Truth. 16But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness. |
The Gospel of peace is our only hope to prevent stand still in our lives, it’s the only way to prevent slow down in our lives and is the only AUTHORITY you have to WALK through the valley of mistakes, wrong decisions, sadness, sorrow or even death. You need to be very well acquainted with the Gospel of truth, the good news because it carries love and love conquers all things.
Your good understanding and awareness of this Gospel of truth ensures you will not fall to any untrue doctrine that the world has to offer regardless of who ever directs you to the area in life you may be walking through. See Psalm 119:105 and Matthew 4 (Jesus used the written Word in spiritual battle).
The practical way to ensure you always wear your shoes (Gospel of peace / Good News) is by continuous study of the Word of God as advised in 2 Timothy 2:15, constant confession and use of the Word daily as well as sharing the Word with others. Remember, you can’t show others what you don’t have good command of!
With your shoe always on, the world will see you can walk through anything and you can live by EXAMPLE.
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We encourage you to change your media diet, be selective in your audio diet and also start building up further faith based habits such as reading biblical based books and always remember to check the bible for the truth in all you indulge yourself in. Check out our book reviews section for books we have read and have found to be helpful. Should you need immediate advice, please contact us via walkwithme@dvsoul.org.uk. |
Find Yourself
DV SOUL – Awakening the Spirit of God in man
Shield of FAITH
(Image by Bill Osborne. www.BillOsborne.com)
Our next outfit according to Ephesians 6 verse 16 is our;
Shield of FAITH – The fourth outfit for DEFENCE
| Ephesians 6:16 AMPLIFIED. 16Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. |
This is the second time faith will be mentioned in our outfit, the first was mentioned in our breastplate of righteousness by wearing faith and love always. The shield of faith stands alone and can be imagined to be the huge square like shield that a Roman soldier would use to protect his whole body against arrows, spears and what ever missiles the enemy directs at him.
Why is the shield of faith important? It is important because your body (family, wife, children, circle of influence or all you care about) needs to be protected always. The breastplate of righteousness ensures you of your personal salvation while the shield of faith is a covering of protection extending to other parts of your existence and even your whole armor (outfit). The fact is, if the enemy can not get to you, they will go after the rest of you that is uncovered in an attempt to get to you.
| 1 John 5 (Amplified) 4For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]? |
Faith is what covers your whole existence by saving you Ephesians 2:8
Faith brings a perfect covering Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17
Faith also aligns you to the blessings and covenants of the bible Romans 4:16
Because our shield of faith is our key to safety, security and Godly vision, we need to grow in faith and we can do this by hearing the Word of God Romans 10:17, the preached words of Jesus so check the bible to ensure what you listen to and what you are told are there.
The practical way to ensure your shield of faith grows and is held high with strength is to exercise it by sharing the word of God with others, live in love and practice good works, pray always for the body of Christ and the unsaved and continue in the daily practice and study of the Word of God through the Holy Bible. Remember to cover your loved ones and those close to you in prayers too. All these will allow you to put practical work into you holding up your faith shield so that men and women can see the manifesting power of Christ in your life as the shield of faith covers you from the daily missiles of the enemy. 2 Timothy 1:6-8, Hebrews 10: 24-25, 2 Peter 3:1-2, James 2:20.
Find Yourself
DV SOUL – Awakening the Spirit of God in man