Ephesians 6:14

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

(v14, NIV)

I didn't talk about the breastplate of righteousness last time. So what is the breastplate? I've heard it depicted as a protective covering for your chest and front torso areas. However, a Google image search shows breastplates having a front and back part to it. There were some showing only the front, but I think there were more of front and back. Regardless, I'm sure the main focus is on the front anyway since you'll be facing your opponent. Also, how reliable is a Google image search anyway?

The righteousness that is referred to for this piece of armor is not self righteousness. The bible has nothing good to say about self righteousness, so it doesn't make sense for us to wear self righteousness. This righteousness could be practical righteousness. By that I mean the fruit of the Spirit. However, this breastplate is a protective piece of armor, so how does practical righteousness protect us? Instead, it refers to imputed righteousness. This is the righteousness that is given to us. Our righteousness is given to us by Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). In addition, we are found in him, having a righteousness that comes through faith in Christ (Philippians 3:9). We are not righteous and cannot become righteous apart from the saving work on the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only through faith in Christ that we can be called or deemed righteous by God.

How does this piece of armor protect us? It protects us from condemnation. It is true that we are sinners and we will sin and we are not perfect. However, we don't need to lie about it. We can honestly tell others and share with others that we're not perfect. We don't need to be perfect. Now, this isn't a free ticket to go about sinning all you want. What I'm saying is that in defense to accusations of inconsistency, we should know and put faith in the fact that we have Jesus' righteousness.

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

(Romans 7:21-25, NIV)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

(Romans 8:1, NIV)