What’s most important to you? What’s vital? What can’t be lost no matter what?

A Roman soldier could survive a wound to the arm or leg. But a strike to the heart would end everything.

He needed his breastplate.

And for the spiritual battle raging around us, we need the breastplate of righteousness.

Your heart needs protection.

Your heart is where your desires, emotions, and choices flow from. And just like a soldier in battle, your heart is constantly under attack.

Paul writes in Ephesians 6:14, “Stand firm then… with the breastplate of righteousness in place.”

Righteousness is your armor.

This doesn’t mean living perfectly in your own strength. None of us can.

It means covering yourself in Christ’s righteousness, His grace, His forgiveness, His way of living.

Then, in light of Christ’s righteousness, we strive to walk in righteousness.

Guilt, shame, and temptation are like arrows. They aim straight for your heart. And without righteousness in place, they pierce deep.

But with righteousness, you can stand firm.

When your heart is guarded by righteousness, shame loses its grip. Temptation loses its power. Fear loses its voice.

So today, put on the breastplate.
Live with integrity.
Seek God’s way over your own.
Let His righteousness protect your heart.

Because when your heart is guarded, your whole life is strengthened.