A YEAR OF PRAYER
A PRAYER TO STAND FIRM IN THE BATTLE
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore… —Ephesians 6:10 - 14aStand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. —Ephesians 6:14
THE BELT OF TRUTH
“The understanding of the whole of God’s character as defined doctrinally and theologically in The Bible.”
Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins,
and faithfulness the belt of His waist. —Isaiah 11:5For He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on His head;
He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. —Isaiah 59:17
THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
“ALL THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD”
My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness. —Psalm 119:172
Righteousness imputed by faith.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. —2 Corinthians 5:21
And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith. —Philippians 3:9
For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. —Romans 5:17
1. The breastplate of righteousness put on through obedience to Christ.
And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. —Ephesians 4:24
I traverse the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice. —Proverbs 8:20There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. —Romans 8:1
3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. —Romans 8:3 - 414 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. —Romans 8:14 - 1720 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” —John 14:20 - 2115 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. —John 14:15 - 18Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. —Hebrews 12:2
2. The breastplate of righteousness protects th heart against “every matter.”
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. —Proverbs 4:23
Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you —Hosea 10:12
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. —Romans 12:1 - 216 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. —1 Corinthians 3:16 - 17But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. —Matthew 6:33
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. —John 15:5
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. —Philippians 1:11
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. —Hebrews 12:2