As we are all aware, Satan not only schemes against us (2 Corinthians 2:11) but also carries out those plans in an attempt to devour us (1 Peter 5:8). One way that Satan wages war against us is by trying to make us doubt our status before God. For example, Satan tried to create doubt in Eve’s heart concerning God’s word when he said to her, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?’” (Genesis 3:1). Satan still wants to create doubt in our hearts today. Satan wants us to wonder, “Did God actually say this? Am I really saved? Have I really been forgiven? Does God really love me?” Through a seed of doubt, Satan is able to begin spreading his influence in our lives.
Another way that Satan attacks us is by trying to engross us in sin. Satan lives in rebellion against God; subsequently, he wants us to live in rebellion against God. For example, going back the story of the fall, Satan tempted Eve in Genesis 3:6 to eat of the fruit of the forbidden tree by appealing to the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life (1 John 2:15-16); in Matthew 4:1-11, Satan tempted Jesus in the same way. Satan so desperately wants our lives to be defined by sin and worldliness.
In order to stand up against those two different ways that Satan attacks us, as we take up the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20), we must “put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14; cf. Isaiah 59:17). This can be understood in two different senses; I believe that both are correct. First, we must realize that God is the one who has made us righteous. This is the meaning of justification. In contrast with Adam’s one trespass, Jesus’ “one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men” (Romans 5:18). By Jesus’ “obedience the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). As Satan tries to create doubt in our hearts about who we are and where we stand with God, we must realize that when we dedicate our lives to Jesus through obedience to His word, He extends His righteousness to us. We do not stand before God based on our own righteousness; we stand before Him based on the righteousness of His Son, Jesus Christ. We cannot allow Satan to produce doubt concerning that awesome reality.
Second, as we put on the breastplate of righteousness, we must dedicate ourselves to daily righteous living. We must reflect the righteousness that we have received from Jesus in the decisions that we make. Earlier in Ephesians, Paul encouraged his readers to walk as children of light, which consists of all that is right (Ephesians 5:8-9). We must practice righteousness in order to be righteous: “Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous” (1 John 3:7). We are to pursue righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22). We are to seek God’s righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Truly, “blessed are they… who do righteousness at all times” (Psalm 106:3). Satan is doing all that he can to pull us away from God and into sin. We must choose to stand against Satan and his attacks by living righteously.
We go to battle everyday against our enemy, the devil. God has given us all that we need to stand against our adversary when we take up His armor. As we have now discussed the belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness, I look forward to continuing to study the armor of God together in upcoming weeks. Let’s go out and be victorious over Satan by trusting in God, relying on His power, and taking up His armor.
-Tyler Alverson
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