Our breastplate is made out of the righteousness of God: 2 Cor 5:21 (NIV) God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Becoming business partners or deciding to get married to a spouse who is an unbeliever can hinder our getting our breastplate of righteousness on: 2 Cor 6:14 (NIV) Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

Once we turn the issues of this world over to God’s care, we are much more able to get our breastplate of righteousness on: 2 Cor 9:9-10 (NIV) As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” Now He Who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

Our breastplate of righteousness is to protect us from Satan, who masquerades as an angel of light; and, it also protects us from his servants, who masquerade as servants of righteousness: 2 Cor 11:11-15 (NIV) Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

When we put on the breastplate of righteousness, which is part of the full armor of God, we are putting on part of our new self: Eph 4:22-24 (NIV) You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.