Therefore, in our walk, we need to walk honestly and soberly. We should try to have no guile in our mouth as there was no guile found in the mouth of our dear Saviour. However, also consider the spiritual application of the girding of truth. Our Lord is truth itself. (John 14:6) He proclaimed to be "the way, the truth, and the life." He is truth personified. Where does truth gird us?  It girds our loins and covers our nakedness. When our Truth came, we were naked, blind, and destitute. However, by suffering in our room and stead, our nakedness was covered, and He put away our shame.  

When Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit in the garden, they saw that they were naked and tried to cover their shame with fig leaves. However, the Lord made them coats of skins. Therefore, this points us to the ultimate sacrifice made by the unspotted Lamb of God to cover our nakedness. All of our efforts are laughable at best, but the Lord's covering is sufficient for our well-being. So, eternally, we are covered by the Truth, and we should endeavor to walk in such a way to shew forth that we are covered by girding ourselves with truth and marching on into battle.  

The breastplate of righteousness covers our chest. Righteousness is synonymous with holiness.  Our chest is covered when we live holy lives unspotted from the world. We cover a very vital area (heart) by doing so. By living unholy lives, we leave our heart unprotected and bare. That makes us susceptible to having our righteous souls vexed from day to day like Lot. Also, a breastplate (like in ancient times) generally bore a crest of the kingdom that the soldier belonged to. So, spiritually, this points us to the righteousness of our Lord. Due to the righteousness of Christ and His laying down His life, we have that righteousness imputed to us. Our crest is that new heart that is given to us upon regeneration. We bear His seal within these old bodies.  

All of our own righteousness is as filthy rags. But, He has given us a treasure in earthen vessels. Therefore, putting on the breastplate of righteousness is shewing forth what He has put within. He works in us, and it is our job to work out that treasure to the praise, honour, and glory of His holy name. Consider that all of the precious stones buried within the earth's surface are there no matter whether anyone finds them or not.  But, when an explorer digs one up, the beauty is for all to behold. Likewise, if a child of God lives their entire life without showing that treasure in this world, it is still there. But, when it comes forth, people behold and say, "Praise be to God."  

Finally, when the stone is dug out of the earth, it still has traces of dirt, grime, and dullness. That does not change the substance of the stone, but even when shown forth, there is still more polishing, cleaning, and garnishing to be done. The job of putting on the breastplate of righteousness (or any of the other pieces) is never complete.  Therefore, let us gird ourselves with truth, and put on the breastplate of righteousness to show our love to the One who did this for us that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

In Hope,

Bro Philip