The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8 that the devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. That’s the bad news. The good news is that God has given us spiritual armor with which to defend ourselves as well as spiritual weapons with which to fight back with. The second piece of armor is The Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14b)
We need the breastplate of righteousness because Satan wants to condemn us. Satan puts thoughts in our minds that we are such terrible sinners that God would never want to use us for the work of his kingdom.
I have a friend that a couple years ago applied for a certain job. Because this person had a criminal record, she was ineligible for employment. There are certain jobs that you simply cannot get if you have a criminal record. And this was the case for my friend.
Satan loves to make the case against us “You have a record. You are ineligible to work for God.” But friends – this is another one of Satan’s lies. First off, we have no record because Christ has wiped it clean! When Jesus died on the cross, our record (our sin) was placed on him, and then his righteousness was placed on us (who have trusted him to forgive our sins). So the truth is – we have no record thanks to Jesus! We are 100% eligible to be used by God to advance his kingdom on this earth. Second, God knew that Satan would try and get us to believe this lie, which is why he put so many examples of sinful people that did great things for God in the Bible. Moses murdered an Egyptian but then God used him to be the spiritual leader over the nation of Israel. David committed adultery, but then God used him to make preparations for the Temple. Paul violently persecuted the church, but then God used him to write almost half of the New Testament. God gave us these examples so that when we’re feeling condemned by Satan, we’d be reminded that we are eligible for work in God’s kingdom, because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross.
So the next time Satan puts in your mind “You’re not worthy!” go ahead and agree with him. Say “You’re right. I’m not worthy. But because of what Jesus has done for me on the cross I am righteous in God’s sight. My record has been wiped clean and I’m fit for service in his kingdom!” Satan will always throw your past in your face in an attempt to discourage you. Well, someone once told me that when Satan reminds you of your past, go ahead and remind him of his future! 🙂 When you keep in mind that you are righteousness in God’s sight, you have put on the breastplate of righteousness.