Guarding the Righteous Heart–The Breastplate of Righteousness
If you’ve not already done so, read and listen to Part 1 of this Armor of God (Yah) Series entitled: “Putting on God’s Image-The Belt of Truth.”
Spiritual Problems In Ephesus
11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. (Act 19:11-19 NKJ)
The Bad Spiritual Elements of Ephesus
The Temple of Artemis has been deemed as one of the 7-Wonders of the World and was the headquarters of the Artemis cult.
Idol Making and Worship of Diana or Artemis drove the Economy much of Ephesian of life.
Jewish Mysticism was the crux of Paul and Timothy’s spiritual warfare battles in Ephesus.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (Eph 6:14 NKJ).
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the (1) rulers, against the (2) authorities, against the (3) cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the (4) spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:12 ESV)
Authorities–Powers
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things were created through him and for him. (Col 1:16 ESV)
who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. (1Pe 3:22 ESV)
(The Parable of the Talents) And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ (Luk 19:17 ESV).
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Col 2:15 ESV)
24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. (1Co 15:24 NKJ)
The Risks Posed By Authorities is High
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. (Eph 2:1-3 NKJ)
Pride and Temptation
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” (Mat 4:3 NKJ)
1 Chr. 21:1-7—David’s Census brings pestilence to Yisrael: “Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel..lBut God was displeased with this thing and He struck Israel.”
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Eph 5:1-5 NKJ)
Enter God’s Righteousness
- The Righteousness of God comes freely to those who seek and surrender themselves to His authority.
- Yah’s righteousness is found in Yah’s Words (His Torah)—2 Tim. 3:16—instructions in righteousness.
- Righteousness of God is found in Yeshua Messiah (2 Cor. 5:21)
- Yah is righteousness—YHVH Tsidkenu
Un-regenerated humans establish and adhere to their own righteousness which is the righteousness of the world and the enemy.
Putting on the Breastplate of Righteousness
Live by Faith
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (Rom 1:17 NKJ)
8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. (1Th 5:8 NKJ)
Learn the Ways of Yeshua
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Rom 3:21-23 NKJ)
See Ourselves as Abba Sees Us
5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? (Rom 3:5-6 NKJ)
Conduct Ourselves According to Yah’s Standards
Treat One Another As Abba Instructed
We conduct our affairs in accordance with Yah’s Ways
We maintain peace and prosperity in our community and homes
We serve Yah only (Malachi 3:18)
Obey Yah’s Torah
29 Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever! (Deu 5:29 NKJ)
Give freely without regard for gain (Psa. 37:21)
Allow The Holy Spirit Work in Us
25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Eze 36:25-27 NKJ)
Control Our Thoughts
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2Co 10:3-6 NKJ)
Jam. 1:12—Blessed is the man who endures (withstands; stands up to) temptations…
Shalom and Blessings to you…Faithfully