The other day, I was reading in Ephesians 6 about how God has given us everything we need to live in victory in this life. He’s given us the authority of His name, He’s given us the power in His Word, and He’s given us His spiritual armor so that we can stand strong when things come against us in this life. Scripture tells us that we have the belt buckle of truth, the shield of faith, shoes of peace, and the helmet of salvation. But today, I want to focus on the breastplate of righteousness.

Righteousness is simply living in right standing with God. Once you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you receive God’s righteousness. You have His stamp of approval. You may not always feel it, but that’s when we have to receive it by faith. Faith gives substance to God’s promises and activates them in our life. How do we express our faith and put it into action? By declaring what we believe. In the same way that God spoke the world into existence, we have power to establish things with our words.

Today, I want to encourage you to put on God’s approval by faith. Put on your breastplate of righteousness along with the whole armor of God. See, you can have a great-looking outfit sitting on your bed, but if you don’t put it on, it’s not going to do you any good. But once you put it on, wear it well! No matter what comes against you, no matter what anyone else says, no matter what anyone else thinks, know that God chose you, He approved you, and He wants you to wear your blessing well!

Remember, the thing that can take you down the quickest in this life is thinking negatively about yourself. You can’t allow those destructive, negative thoughts to linger in your mind. You can’t let your thoughts push you around; you push your thoughts around! You have to take control of your thoughts because when you take control of your thoughts, you take control of your life. So dwell on the fact that you are approved by Almighty God! Choose to agree with Him, put on your armor, and wear it well!

“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” (Ephesians 6:13, NKJ).