“The Breastplate of Righteousness”

Looking into the mirror; week 3, early morning before the hurried hustle and bustle of the day begins. I am contemplating as I see my reflection through my bathroom mirror, that everything we do or say is the reflected condition in which our heart stands.

God states it so clearly “Guard your heart; above all else that you guard, for out of it flows the spring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). What other immaculate piece of armor; than The Breastplate of Righteousness, to guard against the stare-down of the enemy…who is so eager to entrap us…entangle us. He desires nothing more than to catch you “sleeping” or perhaps being a negligent watch-guard over the single most vital spiritual life source we possess; our hearts.

“The thief only comes to steal, kill & destroy;
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”
John 10:10

Your mind is the key challenge point that the enemy will use to shoot a spear straight to the center of your heart; protecting your heart against expected AND unexpected attacks is an essential ritual we should be preparing ourselves for each and every moment. The enemy knows that if he can access your heart; he can destroy you, and once the entrapment starts……the ball just keeps on rolling. “I could be a better Wife” or “I should be a better Mother” or “I could be……” the list goes on and on; we’ve all been there, and on a daily basis. There are moments where I get “locked inside my head”; the enemy is on the rise, and I am forced to continually remember that God has given me a weapon strong enough to break any barrier forced upon me…..SPEAK OUT THE WORD OF GOD! “For The Bible is alive and active; sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitude of the heart.” Hebrews 4”12.
As comical as it may be to think about; I will randomly declare blessings through scripture over myself during these quarrels surrounding my heart, and each time God strengthens me to withstand the next seemingly impossible escape. Discouragement, insecurity & self-doubt should be replaced with confidence, security & self-love. Putting on The Breastplate of Righteousness assists God in helping you fight off the fleshly “battle field” in your mind & frustrates the plan to keep you from cultivating new health & spiritual wellness in Christ. (Day 2/week 3 homework reference).

It’s kind of like a prison (bear with me here). The role of the prison guard is two-fold; don’t let anyone in and certainly don’t let anyone out. We as Women; especially, must be more aware and conscious of what we allow not only INTO our hearts…..but OUT of our hearts as well. If you are anything like me (A Woman), you have a soft heart; a vulnerable heart…..the enemy is as aware of this as he is the back of his hand. We can protect ourselves with fervent prayer, with knowledge & wisdom (open God’s Word), with the words that we say (SPEAK LIFE), with what we watch, what we think & through our actions.

It seems like such a simple command; guard your heart, but it has the potential to destroy us if treaded upon lightly. We have God’s powerfully available to us, but so often we forget to take FULL advantage. His word is alive, mercy triumphs over judgment every time; we need to activate His power!! Challenge yourself; equip yourself, and be diligent to do so on every occasion.

Don’t allow; ever again, the “Master Deceiver” to have such an opening to your heart. You are strong, you are brave, you are beautiful, you are more than enough and you are a fellow Sister loved so deeply by God. Put on your Breastplate of Righteousness; stand confident in God’s protection, and stand up to SPEAK IT LOUD & SAY IT OUT:

“I AM RIGHTEOUS!”

~Tiffany Theisen~