I liken the Breastplate to a bullet proof vest. It is there to protect the heart and lungs, the vital parts of our body.
And on the spiritual side we must keep our heart safe and watch what we put in it because - “A good man out of the good treasures of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasures of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45.
Proverbs 4:23 says: "Keep your heart with all diligence - (or guard your heart), for out of it springs the issues of life."
We fill our hearts with the things we focus on, and sooner or later the things we store in our heart will come out and reveal what kind of person we are.
So what are you letting in through your eyes and ears? Are you watching good, godly TV-shows and movies, or the other kind? Do you listen to Christ-centered music, or the kind that give the wrong message? Do you read only the books and magazines that honor God and encourage you? Do you go places on the internet that will pull you away from God, or where you can find help or be a help? Who are your "friends"? It matters a lot what kind of people you associate with and what influences you.
There is a reason the Breastplate is named RIGHTOUSNESS. "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death." Proverbs 10:2.
Righteousness delivers from death. All the things you consider "treasures" can be either good or bad. Whatever they are, they fill your heart and spill out from time to time. So, guard your heart, keep it safe with the Breastplate of Righteousness.
We know good from evil. We know what we should or shouldn't do. Sometimes it's not easy. There are a lot of distractions out there! There are so many temptations to lead us astray. We have to live the Christian life on purpose, and living on purpose takes a lot of work. It is the the Breastplate of Righteousness, being in Right Standing with God, that will guard our hearts and keep us safe.
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