The Bible tells us to be strong IN THE LORD and stand in his mighty power . We are then told to put on the full armour of God in order to stand against the trickery of the devil.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Ephesians 6:10
That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5
Paul uses the analogy of the Roman armour because in his day the Romans had an advanced system of warfare.
The Romans perfected a light, full torso armour which provided protection for vital areas. With this armour they could advance towards the enemy being protected from any retaliatory weapons.
In the same way soldiers in the Lord’s army need to be dressed in spiritual military armour in order to battle the powers of darkness.
The breast plate of righteousness is one part of the armour of God.
The Roman soldier’s breastplate was called a cuirass. It was molded to fit over the chest with another part for the back.
The breast plate was protection for the vital organs. One being the heart.
The breastplate of righteousness is to be worn to protect the heart.
In Hebrew the Old Testament word for heart heartlêbâb, lêb, lêbâb,
is the intellect, emotions, and understanding.
In Greek the New Testament word for the heart is kardia which also refers to the mind. (thoughts, feelings)
The breastplate or protection for the mind is a breastplate of righteousness. In other words the Christian mind must be protected by the Lord’s righteousness.
What is righteousness?
In the Old Testament righteousness tsedâqâ is moral virtue and justice.
The New Testament defines righteous dikaiosunē as equity or justification.
To be justified dikaioō is to render innocent, to free.
The heart or mind must be covered in righteous, (rendered innocent )to be protected from enemy onslaughts.
This is done by putting on the breast plate of righteousness. Being conscious of our justification provided by Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 4:23 tells us to keep or guard nâtsar our heart. lêb
That is to put a watch over our mind like a prison guard or gate keeper. To watch over.
With the breast plate of righteousness our minds are guarded from enemy attacks.
When the devil came to Jesus to tempt him with lies Jesus referred to the word of God as his defense. “It is written.”
Out of the heart or mind are the issues or source of our life. Proverbs 4:23
As we put on the breastplate of righteousness we can see ourselves clothed in Jesus Christ’s righteous. Our minds filled with God’s word will keep us from the trickery of the devil.
Negative thinking contrary to the Bible are arrows of the evil one. The purpose of the evil one is to kill, steal, an destroy.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. john 10:10
Scientific Studies confirm the Bible. A mind not guarded can result in negative effects.
Studies on negative thinking.
https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/alz.12116
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200607195008.htm
Keep your heart with all diligence! Put on the breastplate of righteousness! Be a watchman over your thoughts! Then you will be sure to walk in victory!
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:7
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 5:8
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