Ephesians 6:14

DISCOURSE: 2129THE CHRISTIAN’S BREAST-PLATE

Ephesians 6:14. Stand..…having on the breast-plate of righteousness.

AS various parts of armour, however differing in shape, may be formed of the same materials, so amongst the Christian graces, there may exist a considerable resemblance, while yet there remains between them a manifest distinction. Righteousness is that particular grace which comes under our consideration at this time. By “righteousness” we understand, that true and universal holiness, which is characteristic of conversion, and constitutes that divine image, after which we are renewed [Note: Ephesians 4:23-24.]. Now this, though nearly allied to sincerity, differs materially from it: sincerity relates to the aims and motives of a person; but righteousness to his actions and habits. Righteousness is that in actual attainment, which sincerity is in desire and purpose. Righteousness cannot exist without sincerity; but sincerity may, and often does, exist without righteousness; because (as was shewn in the preceding discourse) it may be found in blind zealots, and bloody persecutors.

The piece of armour to which righteousness is compared, is “the breast-plate;” which was of use to defend the vitals from the assaults of an enemy. Of such importance was it to every one in the time of battle, that all, from the general to the soldier, were clad with it: nor can its importance to us more strongly appear, than from the consideration, that the Captain of our salvation, even the Lord Jesus Christ himself, was thus arrayed. The Prophet Isaiah, speaking expressly of him, says, “He put on righteousness as a breast-plate [Note: Isaiah 59:17.].”

In the metaphor before us, the Apostle intimates, that without righteousness we should be exposed to imminent peril, yea, to certain death: but that, if we be clad with righteousness, our adversaries will never be able to prevail against us. It is evident therefore that there are two points to be considered by us; namely, the necessity of righteousness for our defence, and its sufficiency to protect us:

I.

The necessity of righteousness—

In order to destroy us, our great adversary uses both deceit and violence; against both of which it becomes us to be armed, in order that we may discover the one, and repel the other.

Righteousness then is necessary in the first place, that we may discover his wiles.

It is said with truth by an inspired writer, that “the god of this world blinds the eyes of them that believe not [Note: 2 Corinthians 4:4.]:” and it is astonishing to what a degree he deludes their souls. He instigates them to the commission of sin under the idea that it is at least excusable, if not altogether justifiable and right [Note: 1 Chronicles 21:1-4.]. He teaches them to “call evil good and good evil; to put darkness for light, and light for darkness, bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter [Note: Isaiah 5:20.].” We may see one man carried on by ostentation and vanity, while he thinks himself actuated by zeal for God [Note: 2 Kings 10:16.]. Another yields to a vindictive spirit, yet supposes that he is only maintaining a just regard for his own character, or perhaps for the rights of the community [Note: Luke 9:53-55.]. Through the agency of that subtle fiend, covetousness assumes the name of prudence [Note: Luke 12:13-15.]; prodigality is nothing but a commendable excess of generosity: yea, the most cruel machinations of bigotry, are deemed a service well-pleasing to God [Note: John 16:2.]. Who has not noticed in others this sad infatuation? Who has not seen his neighbours acting under the influence of a bad principle, while they were at the same time as strongly persuaded that they were right, as if there were no room for doubt? Thus it is more or less with every unrenewed person; and too often with those also who are yet weak in the faith; they go on, “not knowing what spirit they are of.” In vain do ministers set forth the evil of such a state: in vain do they discriminate, and mark the difference between truth and error: in vain do they endeavour to persuade men in private, as well as in their public ministrations: in vain do they confirm every word with the infallible dictates of inspiration: for while men continue destitute of righteousness, “they have eyes, and see not, ears, and hear not, neither do they understand [Note: John 8:43.]”. Nothing will effectually shew men their error, till they are “renewed in the spirit of their minds.” Then they have the film removed from the organs of vision. Then they have a spiritual discernment [Note: Ephesians 1:17-18. Colossians 1:9. Συνέσειπνευματικῇ.]: they are no longer deceived by specious appearances; they taste and see the real qualities of things: being “brought out of darkness into marvellous light,” they view every thing, in a measure, as God himself views it: and the greater their proficiency is in the divine life, the clearer is their perception of the good or evil that exists [Note: Hebrews 5:13-14.], not in their actions only, but in their motives and principles of action. And hence it is that the Apostle exhorts us to “be transformed in the renewing of our minds, that we may prove (and discern, not by theory only, but by actual experiment) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God [Note: Romans 12:2. Εἰς τὸ δοκιμάζεινrefers to the discerning of the qualities of metals by the furnace. See also Philippians 1:9-10. where the same word is connected with τὰ διαφέροντα, things that differ.].”

Righteousness is further necessary, that we may repel the assaults of our enemy.

Sin not only blinds, but debilitates the soul. It is scarcely to be conceived how impotent the natural man is to resist the temptations of Satan. For the most part he makes no resistance at all, but follows the dictates of his imperious master, and yields a willing obedience to his most fatal suggestions. To the ungodly Jews our Lord justly observed, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do [Note: John 8:44.].” Sometimes conscience will make a stand against the wicked one; but it is soon overpowered, and either bribed into consent, or stunned to silence, or forced, in spite of all its efforts, to give way. It may cause one to tremble [Note: Acts 24:25.]; another to reform in many things [Note: Mark 6:20.]; another to become almost a Christian [Note: Acts 26:28.]; another to make a profession of religion, and openly to join himself to the Church of Christ [Note: Acts 8:13.]: but Satan has nothing to fear from its exertions, unless it stimulate a man to seek a thorough change of heart: he laughs at the fears of Felix, the reformation of Herod, the acknowledgments of Agrippa, and the professions of Simon Magus: he well knows that, as long as they are unrenewed, they are fast in his chains, and incapable of any effectual exertion: “Ephraim, though armed, and carrying bows, were so enfeebled by sin, that they turned back in the day of battle:” nor could Israel stand before their enemies while an Achan was in their camp [Note: Psalms 78:9-10. Joshua 7:8; Joshua 7:12; Joshua 7:24; Joshua 7:26.]. So neither can he resist Satan, who yields in any thing to the dominion of sin. If once we “put away a good conscience, we shall speedily make shipwreck of our faith” also [Note: 1 Timothy 1:19.]. But let once the tamest of his vassals feel the influence of divine grace, and instantly he casts off the yoke under which he had groaned, and asserts his liberty. From that moment Satan is constrained to yield to that “stronger power that is come against him [Note: Luke 11:21-22.],” and to, relinquish the prey which he can no longer retain [Note: Isaiah 49:25.].

The necessity of righteousness being thus established, let us proceed to consider,

II.

Its sufficiency—

The Apostle would not have been so urgent in exhorting us to put on the breast-plate of righteousness, if he had not believed that it would answer all the purposes for which it was designed. That it will protect us, we are well assured: that it will secure to us the victory, there can be no doubt: for it will turn depravity to sanctity, cowardice to courage, and weakness to strength.

First, it turns depravity to sanctity. It is by our inward corruptions that Satan works. He cannot force us to commit sin: he can only present to us such temptations as are suited to our natural desires; and suggest such considerations to our minds, as are likely to procure our compliance with his will. When he came to assault our Lord, he could not prevail; because “he found nothing in him [Note: John 14:30.],” that in the smallest degree closed with his suggestions. But when he comes to us, he finds in us a predisposition to receive him. If he assault our heart, there are many secret lusts that are ready to betray us into his hands: he has but to strike a spark, and there is within us combustible matter in abundance, that instantly catches fire, and that, if not extinguished by grace, will burn to the lowest hell. But when the soul is endued with righteousness, its dispositions are altogether changed: “old things are passed away, and all things are become new [Note: 2 Corinthians 5:17.].” We say not indeed that there are no remains of corruption in the soul; for the old nature still continues, and counteracts in a measure the operations of the new nature: but if “the flesh lusts against the spirit, the spirit also lusts against the flesh, and gains (not indeed without many conflicts) an ascendant over it [Note: Galatians 5:17.]:” and hence the temptations, which would once have been irresistible, are repelled with indignant firmness; as we see in Joseph, who, when repeatedly solicited to commit adultery, replied with horror, “How shall I do this great wickedness, and sin against God [Note: Genesis 39:9.]?”

This then is one way in which righteousness defends the soul: it makes “sin appear exceeding sinful [Note: Romans 7:13.];” and holiness to be esteemed as the perfection of bliss [Note: Psalms 119:128.]: and thus, by weakening the force of temptation, it enables us with success to resist the tempter.

In the next place, it turns cowardice into courage. Satan gets peculiar advantage over men by means of their carnal fears. In whatever degree men are endued with natural fortitude, their courage fails them when they are called to bear the cross of Christ. When our blessed Lord ministered on earth, Nicodemus, though a ruler and governor, was afraid to come in open day, lest he should be thought to favour his cause [Note: John 3:1-2.]: nor did “the Pharisees who believed in him, dare to confess him, because they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God [Note: John 12:42-43.].” In instances without number have men who were able to brave death itself on the field of battle, shewn themselves unable to endure the scorn and contempt that universally attach to religious characters: so true is that declaration of Solomon, “The fear of man bringeth a snare [Note: Proverbs 29:25.].” But righteousness emboldens the soul; and enables it to meet the hatred and menaces, or (what is still worse) the sneers and ridicule, of an ungodly world with a holy indifference; yea, it causes the soul to rejoice in these things as tokens for good [Note: Luke 21:12-13.], and as testimonies of the Divine favour [Note: Php 1:29 and 1Pe 4:14 and Acts 5:41.]. Behold the astonishing change that was wrought on Peter! When he had inconsiderately laid aside his armour, he was intimidated by the voice of a maid—servant, and induced to deny his Lord with oaths and curses. But when he had put on his breast—plate, he was undismayed in the presence of the whole council of the Jews: he boldly charged upon the rulers that were before him, the guilt of murdering their Messiah: and when they endeavoured to silence him with threats, he undauntedly replied, “Whether it be right to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye: for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard [Note: Acts 4:18-20.].” Such was the courage also of the Hebrew Youths, who, unawed by the fiery furnace, and unmoved by the example of a whole nation, disdained to comply with the royal edict; and resolutely exposed themselves to a cruel death, rather than violate the dictates of their conscience [Note: Daniel 3:18.].

Thus wherever the soul is clad with righteousness, it is emboldened both to do and suffer the will of God: and, consequently, Satan’s engine of persecution, whereby he has destroyed myriads, being divested of its power to intimidate the righteous, his dominion over them must for ever cease.Lastly, righteousness will turn our weakness to strength. The powers of man, independent of divine grace, remain the same after conversion as before: of himself he can do nothing [Note: John 15:5.]. But that divine principle which actuates the godly, is mighty in operation: however numerous or powerful their enemies may be, the “grace of Christ is sufficient for them [Note: 2 Corinthians 12:9.];” and the weakest in the universe may say, “Through Christ strengthening me I can do all things [Note: Philippians 4:13.].” Their inherent weakness does not at all militate against this assertion; for when they are weakest in themselves their strength is at the height: and when they look unto their Lord for help, “he will perfect his strength in their weakness [Note: See Hebrews 5:13-14.].” Survey for a moment the Christian’s conquests: his lusts are subdued, condemned, crucified [Note: Galatians 5:24.]: the world is overcome, and put under his feet [Note: 1 John 5:4-5.Galatians 6:14; Galatians 6:14.]: the powers of darkness are put to flight [Note: James 4:7.]: and he is triumphing daily in the God of his salvation [Note: 2 Corinthians 2:14.]: so “strengthened is he with might in his inward man [Note: Ephesians 3:16. Psalms 138:3.],” and so “mighty are his weapons to destroy the strong holds of sin and Satan, and to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ [Note: 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.].”

What shall we now say to you who are destitute of this armour? Shall we congratulate you on your prospects of victory? Shall we even flatter you with hopes of escaping with life? We cannot; we dare not. There is a possibility, that you might vanquish an armed host with a broken pitcher [Note: Judges 7:19-22.]; or make the walls of an impregnable fortress to fall with the sound of rams’ horns [Note: Joshua 6:4-5; Joshua 6:20.]: but to succeed without righteousness in your spiritual warfare is impossible: for the truth of God is pledged that you shall perish, if you continue in your unrighteous state [Note: 1 Corinthians 6:9.]. “Awake then to righteousness, and sin not [Note: 1 Corinthians 15:34.].” Let your earnest prayer ascend up before God, that you may be made new creatures in Christ Jesus [Note: Ephesians 2:10.], and be turned effectually from the power of Satan unto God [Note: Acts 26:18.]. But do not mistake: do not imagine, that any righteousness which you can attain in your own strength, will thus protect you; or that even that which is wrought in you by the Holy Spirit, has in itself such mighty efficacy: that to which such glorious powers are ascribed, is wrought in you by the Spirit of God: and after all, it is not your inherent goodness, but the grace of God, that must preserve you from your enemies. Your inherent righteousness will indeed be made use of by him; but still God must be acknowledged as the only Author of all that is done either in, or by you; and the glory must be given to him alone.

To you who have “the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left [Note: 2 Corinthians 6:7.],” we say, “Stand fast in the Lord [Note: Philippians 4:1.].” Let nothing prevail upon you to lay aside your breast-plate for one moment: the instant you part with it, you are shorn of your strength, and are become weak as other men [Note: Judges 16:19-20.]. “Hold fast then that ye have, that no man take your crown [Note: Revelation 3:11.].” Thus shall your subtle adversary be foiled in all his attacks: he shall never be able to inflict on you any deadly wound. “Then shall you not be ashamed, when you have respect unto all God’s commandments [Note: Psalms 119:6.].” As “the righteousness of Christ sustained him [Note: Isaiah 59:16.]” amidst the fiercest assaults of his enemies, so shall you be preserved whilst fighting under his banners, and following his commands. His express promise to you is, “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, shall never be moved [Note: Psalms 15:2; Psalms 15:5.].” And again, “The Lord God is a sun and a shield; he will give grace and glory; and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly [Note: Psalms 84:11.].”