Ephesians 6:14b “The Breastplate of Righteousness”

Weekly Devotional Questions

Breastplate of Righteousness — Week 4: Stand in Righteousness

Text: Ephesians 6:14

Monday — Return to the Text: What Does It Mean to Stand in Righteousness?

1. Read Ephesians 6:10–14 and Zechariah 3:1–5. How does the vision of Joshua the high priest help you understand why we desperately need the breastplate of righteousness?

2. The sermon emphasizes that Satan is “the accuser of the brethren.” Where do you see the reality of accusation, shame, or condemnation at work in your own life or in the lives of other believers?

3. What is the difference between trying to stand before God in our own righteousness (or performance) versus standing in the perfect righteousness of Christ?

4. Ask God to show you one specific area where you have been relying on your own goodness, feeling condemned, or forgetting that you are already clothed in Christ’s righteousness.

Tuesday — Understand: Righteousness Required

1. Read Romans 5:12–19. How does understanding Adam as our federal (covenant) head help explain why we all stand guilty and in need of a righteousness that is not our own?

2. Why is it impossible for us to earn, achieve, or produce the righteousness required to stand before a holy God?

3. The sermon notes that world religions and worldly philosophies lie to us about our true condition. What lies have you been tempted to believe about your own goodness or about God’s holiness?

4. Where have you recently felt the weight of accusation, guilt, or shame? Bring that honestly before God right now.

Wednesday — Gospel Focus: Righteousness Received

1. Read Zechariah 3:1–5 and 2 Corinthians 5:21. What does it mean that Christ removes our filthy garments and clothes us with “pure vestments” (His own righteousness)?

2. How does Jesus standing between us and the accuser (“The Lord rebuke you, O Satan”) give you courage and confidence when accusations come?

3. What is “imputed righteousness,” and why is receiving it by faith alone essential for the breastplate to actually protect your heart?

4. How does the promise “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1) change the way you respond to guilt, shame, or the enemy’s accusations?

Thursday — Examine: The Dangerous Gap

1. Read Ephesians 4:22–24. What does it look like in everyday life to “put off the old self” and “put on the new self” created in the likeness of God?

2. The sermon warns about the gap between our positional righteousness in Christ and our actual daily living. Where do you currently see that gap in your own life?

3. What specific attitudes, sins, compromises, or hidden areas have recently given the enemy room to accuse you or shoot “fiery darts”?

4. Why is it spiritually dangerous to receive the righteousness of Christ for salvation but then try to close the gaps in your life by your own strength and effort?

Friday — Respond: Righteousness Reflected

1. Read Zechariah 3:6–7. After Joshua is clothed in pure vestments, what is he solemnly charged to do? Why does the order (grace first, then the charge to obey) matter so much?

2. What does it practically look like for you to “walk in His ways” this week in your specific circumstances (home, work, marriage, parenting, thought life, use of time/money)?3. Where do you most need to refuse compromise or close a gap this week by depending on the Holy Spirit rather than self-effort?

4. What simple habit or rhythm could help you depend more consistently on the Spirit to align your daily life with your identity in Christ?

Saturday — Relationships: Integrity and Mission

1. Read 1 John 1:5–10 and Zechariah 3:10. How does “walking in the light” relate both to personal integrity and to inviting others to come to Christ?

2. The sermon calls believers to invite others to “come under his vine and under his fig tree” (a picture of blessing and security in Christ). Who in your life needs to hear that Jesus can remove their filthy rags and clothe them with His righteousness?

3. Where is it hardest for you to be the same person in public and in private? Why do you think that gap exists?

4. Who are the trusted people in your life who can lovingly help you walk in the light and close the gaps between your position in Christ and your practice?

Sunday — Hope: Bring the Gaps to Jesus

1. Where are the main gaps in your life right now—between what God says is true of you in Christ and what you actually feel, say, or do?

2. Read 1 John 1:9 and Zechariah 3:4. What promise does God give to those who bring their sin and gaps into the light through confession?

3. How does Jesus not only forgive us but also give us His Spirit to change us and close the gaps in our lives?

4. Pray honestly and specifically: “Lord Jesus, apart from You I stand in filthy rags. Thank You for clothing me with Your perfect righteousness. Expose, heal, and close the gaps in me by Your Spirit. Help me reflect the righteousness I have received and invite others to have their clothes changed too. Amen.”

Use these questions for personal reflection, journaling, or small group discussion. The goal is not merely to know more about the breastplate of righteousness, but to stand more firmly in Christ and reflect His righteousness by the power of His Spirit.