The Breastplate

and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
A breastplate is to protect the vital organs of the body. It consists of two parts, one in front and one to cover the back. To understand how this breastplate of righteousness works we must look at Ephesians 4:24. “and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
Righteousness is the Greek word δικαιοσύνη (1343) righteousness, is thus conformity to the claims of higher authority and stands in opposition to anomía (G458), lawlessness.[1] This “new self” is a change of method in one’s life. It is a changing of the standards of the world to the standards of God. The only way to do this is through the daily intake of God’s word. This is an exchange of lies for truth, if you will. And as such it protects one from being overcome by one’s own desires. James 1:14 “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.” We see here that it is not an external force that is enticing us, but that it comes from within. In other words the devil did not make me do it, I wanted to. Contrast this with the putting on of the new man though. This is allowing God to work through us and change our life. It is a putting aside of self and as it is written in Romans 8:29 “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren”. How are we conformed to the image of Christ? We are conformed by using Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. The mind is renewed by the daily intake of God’s word; it is not just a list of do’s and don’ts. And it takes active participation on our part. When we begin to fill our minds with God’s word worldly influence begins to diminish and our thinking begins to adjust to God’s thinking. We start to see people as God sees them. We start to treat people with grace. Our lives become different. And people start to notice. This gives us a chance to give the gospel to them.
This brings us to the shoes.

[1] The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament