Christian Devotional - A Heart Guard

Are you guarding your heart?



As we make our way through the Armor of God, today we’re
looking at the Breastplate of Righteousness. Previously, we’ve discussed how so
many Christians walk around completely naked and vulnerable to the attacks of
the enemy. Next, we looked at the belt of truth that we must tie around us that
we are surrounded only by truth and not believing a lie from the enemy. Today,
we must look to guard our heart. (You can find those previous weeks by clicking on the Sunday tab above.)



Ephesians 6:13-14
Therefore, take up the full armor of
God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done
everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING
GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT
ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.






A breastplate piece was a chest protector that was
designed to cover and protect the vital organs of the soldier. In the same way,
we must guard our heart spiritually as well.



Attacks
Throughout the Bible, God emphasizes the importance of
loving God. Jesus even goes so far as to indicate that the greatest commandment
is to love the Lord our God and then second is to love our neighbor as
ourselves. Our heart is vital to our ability to be obedient to God and to
demonstrate our love for Him on a daily basis.




Satan loves to attack us by making us question our love
of God and His love for us. I know while going through tough times, I heard the
tempting whisper of the enemy, “If God really loved you, He would let this
happen to you.” Or, “How can you say you love a God who would let this happen
to you?” These attacks are arrows aimed directly at our heart. If we are not
wearing our breastplate of righteousness, we will find ourselves vulnerable.



Righteousness

So what is righteousness? What is this breastplate made
of that will deflect these evil attacks on our heart from Satan. Righteousness
is simply doing what is right. As long as we hold to the truths that we have
put around us with the Belt of Truth, then we will be in prime position to act rightly
based on these truths.



By acting rightly, by being righteous, we will be able to
deflect those attacks from Satan. Instead of wondering about God’s love for us in
the midst of difficult circumstances, we will be able to confidently remember
the truth that God loves us, no matter what, and then act rightly even in the
midst of difficult circumstances.



Are you acting rightly? Are you guarding your heart in the
midst of difficult circumstances? By acting rightly based on the truths that we
know, we will be able to withstand the attacks that Satan has targeted toward
our heart.

 
Kristi Burchfiel, Christian devotional author and speaker

Living in the World – Living out the Word

Check out my website and daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook page



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