The Breastplate

…with the breastplate of righteousness in place… (Ephesians 6:14b)

     

           He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. (Isaiah 59:17)

          But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. (I Thessalonians 5:8)

  

            Just as the belt protects the bowels, so the breastplate protects the heart. In ancient literature, while the bowels represented emotions, the heart represented the will. That’s why “loving someone with all your heart” isn’t a sentimental thing, it’s a decision. It’s a choice. You don’t fall into a heart-love. There’s no eye-lash batting. In fact, your feelings may disagree completely.  

            What it is that protects the will? According to Paul and Isaiah, it’s righteousness. Righteousness means morality, doing what is right. Having a firm, high, and solid code of morality. It’s not enough to know what is right. It is by developing the habit of doing what is right in the small things that the breastplate is strong enough to withstand the attack on our wills. It’s not about being relatable. It’s not about “live and let live.” If everything is a shade of gray, the breastplate is made of silk when what comes between us and failure needs to be steel.

          Some will say that they have a moral code. We all do. The question is not whether or not we have one, but whether it is the best one possible. The thing about the best moral codes is that we not only understand what is right and wrong but that their authority is outside of the person. If your only means of knowing whether something is right or wrong is your choice then next time around, you can choose the other way. That may feel good, but it will kill your righteousness.