Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Breastplates and Helmets

Reading: 1 Thess.5:5-11

Key Verse: “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” verse 8

The breastplate was worn over the chest to protect the heart and a helmet worn to protect the head. Our heart is the centre of our emotions whilst the head processes our thoughts. We sometimes say that a person’s head rules their heart to indicate they are led by logic rather than feelings or vice versa. God provides protection for both of these vulnerable areas because the devil attacks our emotions and thoughts with harmful and deceitful words.

The breastplate is of love and righteousness. Righteousness can be said to being right with God without sin and its associated crippling guilt. The helmet is of salvation which is being rescued from the punishment our sins deserve.

The words devil and satan mean “accuser”. He attacks our minds and hearts with words and thoughts which accuse us of being unrighteous before God and not worthy of being saved. When I was accused of speeding I showed the prosecutor a prior bill of sale to prove my innocence and transfer guilt to another. When the devil accuses us we use our breastplate and helmet to reject his charges. We feel and think ourselves to be innocent because we have transferred our guilt to another - Jesus!

Prayer: Jesus, thank You that You are my righteousness and my salvation and cleanse me from all sin