Read: Ephesians 6:10-18
Memory Verse: Ephesians 6:14
Stand therefore, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness,
I grew up around motorcycles and it’s something many of the men in my family share an interest in. So, when my sons reached their teenage years I was excited to pass on the tradition. However, riding does carry some risk, so it was important to me that they learn how to ride safely.
Riding safe, especially when off-road, means having protective gear. Most people know that a helmet and foot protection are good ideas, but what many don’t recognize is that chest protection is just as important. Our torsos hold vital organs that hard parts of the bike can easily puncture even on a mild crash. For this reason, motorcycle body armor is made to protect the front torso area. In ancient times, people also understood this need for torso protection and developed breastplates to protect this vital area during times of battle.
Our heart is one of the main organs in this area that needs protection and Ephesians teaches that righteousness is what provides that protection. It is fitting that this comes right after loins girded in truth because righteousness is the application of God’s truth. Our heart, our vital spiritual organ, finds protection when we live out God’s truth for our lives. Simply knowing the truth is not enough, we must practice what we believe.
Proverbs 4:23 admonishes us to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” The word “keep” means to put a guard or a watch on your heart. If the heart is not right with God and others we will be defeated by the enemy.
Meditation for the Day: A serious effort to live righteously often shows us that we really are not righteous. Seeking to put off sin generally exposes sins we hadn’t recognized before and highlights our natural lack of righteousness. Praise God that the righteousness needed for our salvation is not in our own strength but by faith in Jesus. Romans 3:22 “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.”
Assignment: Ask your spouse or a close friend to pray that you would grow in righteousness. What are three specific areas you need to do right in?
For Fun: Look up what kind of breastplates the warriors of ancient Rome wore and compare them to other nations of the same time frame. Who had the best?