“Put on the breastplate of righteousness.” (Ephesians 6:14)
Putting on the breastplate of righteousness is about protecting your heart. Without it, you’re vulnerable. Many of our spiritual battles drag on because we’ve left ourselves wide open to the enemy’s attacks. Yes, at salvation you were given the righteousness of Christ. But growing in your relationship with Jesus and practicing righteous living is a conscious, daily choice.
It means setting your heart to live with the same purity of mind and motive that Jesus did while on earth. You won’t reach perfection this side of heaven, but you are called to pursue purity. That doesn’t mean focusing on yourself—what you do or don’t do. That only leads to pride or self-righteousness. Instead, fix your focus on Jesus—who He is and what He does. We live righteously because of who we are in Christ, not to earn who we are.
But you can’t put on Christ’s righteousness over known sin. Romans 13:12–14 describes removing “dark deeds” like taking off dirty clothes. We’re told to not even think about indulging the desires of our old nature, much less act on them. That includes not only obvious sins like drunkenness or immorality, but also the subtle ones—quarreling, jealousy, resentment, pride.
So where does that begin? With confession and repentance. Be diligent to bring any known sin before the Lord and turn from it. You can’t erase your old nature, but you can replace its desires with those of Christ by consciously living in His presence each day.
Guard your inputs, too. Be careful what you allow through your eyes and ears—it goes straight to your mind and heart, shaping your desires and motivations. That also goes for what you allow your child to watch, read, and listen to. Proverbs 4:23 warns, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” So, don’t follow your heart, watch over it.
How are you doing at protecting your heart? Which of your current desires, thoughts, or actions are out of alignment with the righteous character of Christ? Take them off. Leave them behind. Intentionally living in the righteousness of Christ leads to pure motives, pure thoughts, and pure desires. Remember, it’s not about what you do—it’s about who you are in Jesus. And in Him, you already have everything you need to live a holy and righteous life.
