Psalm 139:23-24 Search me and know my heart . Try me\, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me\ , and lead me in the way everlasting.
\nOur breastplate is the rig hteousness of Jesus Christ\, which is unfailing. We must choose to live ri ghtly by His power and remain rooted in God's Word. The breastplate protec ts our hearts and keeps us on the narrow path.
\nEphesians 6:14 Stan d\, therefore\, having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of righteousness\, and having on the breastplate of righteousn ess.
\nTruth is our foundational garment and must be well intact. The breastplate covers and protects the heart against evil and deceptive a ttacks.
\nWhat is righteousness?
\nRighteousness\, simply def
ined\, is behavioral and moral perfection. God\, in all His perfect charac
ter\, is the standard. We cannot attain this perfection. But righteousness
is possible by being cleansed of sin by Jesus Christ and the indwelling o
f the Holy Spirit. The believer possesses the righteousness of Jesus becau
se -
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us so that God's righteousness would be produced in us.
\nWe can stand before God in clean white garments thanks to Jesus exchangi ng our sins for His perfect righteousness. We are renewed and act upon new principles\, rules\, and goals. Our hearts are not just set right\; a new heart is given to us. We are the workmanship of God\, created in Christ J esus for good works.
\nHow to Put On the Breastplate of Righteousnes
s
\nSeek Matthew 6:33 First\, be concerned about God's kingdom and
His righteousness\, and all of these things will be provided for you as we
ll.
\nLive in His Shelter Psalm 91:1 The one who lives in the shelt
er of the Most High\, who rests in the shadow of the Almighty\, will say t
o the Lord\, \"You are my refuge\, my fortress\, and my God in whom I trus
t!\"
\nDelight yourself in Him Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the L
ord\, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
\nPsalm 119:2
4 I take joy in Your decrees\, for they are my counselors.
\nPsalm
119:111 I have inherited Your decrees forever because they are the joy of
my heart.
\nIsaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord\, my so
ul shall be joyful in my God\; for He has clothed me with the garments of
salvation\, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness\, as a brideg
room decks himself with ornaments\, and as a bride adorns herself with jew
els.
\nBe mindful that your breastplate stays intact. Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request. Lik
ewise\, be alert with your most diligent efforts and pray for all the sain
ts.
\nWalk in His steps Romans 8:29-30 For those whom He foreknew H
e also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son\, so that the S
on might be the firstborn among many and those whom He predestined\, He al
so called\; and those whom He called\, He also justified\; and those whom
He justified He also glorified.
\nO Lord\, this day I pray - Search m
e and know my heart. Try me\, and know my thoughts. And see if there be an
y wicked way in me\, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)