Put on the Breastplate of
Righteousness

The Breastplate of Righteousness

(Ephesians 6:14)

Those who are pierced in the chest and abdomen by the devil’s spear lose faithfulness in heart, and even their will to obey God begins to waver. The place of repentance feels distant, and they distort the Word to justify themselves. Their emotions become twisted—they sin, yet no longer feel grief or sorrow—and their consciences grow dull, gradually losing all sincerity.

1. Self-Righteousness and Imputed Righteousness
It is the breastplate of righteousness that must be put on to withstand the devil’s attacks. This is not a self-righteous righteousness. A righteousness that reveals our own achievements and merits cannot protect us from the devil’s attack. Then what about the righteousness imputed to us by Jesus, who became sin for our sake? That too is not enough. While this righteousness has delivered us from the punishment of sin, it does not shield us from the devil’s assaults.

2. The Righteousness of Obedience
Then what kind of righteousness must we put on? It is the righteousness that comes from obeying the Word of God. The righteousness of whole-life obedience—applying the Word to every part of our lives! The righteousness of response and commitment to the Word! Only those who have received the righteousness imputed by Christ can walk in this righteousness—but having imputed righteousness does not guarantee that a person lives it out. Even believers cannot say they have already obtained this righteousness. To receive it, we must strive diligently until the day we meet the Lord.

3. The Breastplate That Must Always Be Worn
When war breaks out, no one knows when or where missiles might strike. The attacks of the devil are even more unpredictable. Therefore, the breastplate of righteousness must be worn not only in certain moments, but at all times—wherever we are, whatever we are doing. We must never lose the heart and posture to act according to the Word at any moment in our lives. If we live this way, we have no reason to fear, no matter how secretly the devil attacks. Even before we realize it, the breastplate of righteousness shields us.

Overseer Sung-Hyun Kim