The King's Wardrobe: Part 2 protecting our hearts

The King's Wardrobe, Part 2: Protecting our hearts. 

The Trap of Self-Reward

The heavy, deceptive fog of Elysara was gone, but the road south led Albert and Charles into a different kind of trial. For two days they rode until rolling, neglected hills gave way to dry heat, the smell of heavy spices, and the towering spires of a city called Prosperia.

Passing under the grand archway of the Golden Bazaar, everything seemed to glitter with marble, brass, and gold leaf. Music, laughter, and trays of sweet, sugar-dipped fruit filled the air. But beneath the beautiful noise, Albert heard a darker sound: the dull clink of chains. The citizens smiled, but their eyes were completely empty.

At the far end of a vast ivory throne room sat the Beast of Plenty. Draped in scarlet scales and gold chains, the creature purred like a lion, offering them coins that could buy any desire. "Lay down your burdens," the beast urged, mocking the King of Light. "Eat, drink, and be glad; righteousness is found in joy."

Charles hesitated, worn out by the journey. "Albert, we haven't eaten all day properly; maybe we should have something."

But Albert’s hand went instinctively to the silver belt of truth won in Elysara. "True joy is not bought," he replied, refusing to nourish himself with the food of a beast.

When a helpless servant stumbled and was brutally beaten by a guard right in front of the throne while the bazaar crowd simply laughed, the beast’s illusion shattered. Albert challenged the creature's false version of goodness: "You call this righteousness? That guard beats that poor man? You feed on others, making you richer. Where is your mercy?"

The Defeat of the Beast of Plenty

Exposed, the beast's golden form began to melt, revealing an armour made of coins hammered together into plates, pulsing with a dull red light between the cracks. "Without desire, I am rich, you are poor," the beast roared as the hall erupted into chaos.

Albert drew his sword, declaring the ultimate counter-truth: "True righteousness protects; it does not consume and require others to give so you can get rich." Remembering the King’s voice to stand firm, Albert stood his ground as Charles swung his blade, breaking the coin-armour. Every coin cut free only made the heroes grow brighter.

With a final declaration—"The heart that seeks its own reward will never find rest!"—the light from Albert’s belt of truth struck the beast. The Beast of Plenty crumbled to ash, and its gold melted into the floor.

Left behind in the dust was a single breastplate made of silver and iron, strong and simple. It bore the King's sigil: a tree with long, deep roots, its branches turning into a crown at the top, with one branch resembling a sword.

Above the seal, ancient words were engraved:

Guard your heart with what is good.

The moment Albert placed it over his chest, the oppressive heat vanished, the hall's false light faded, and the citizens awoke from their trance as their invisible chains fell away.

The Strategy and Blueprint: Guarded by Righteousness. 

The Whole Armour of God

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV.

What is the breastplate of righteousness and why take it up in the first place?

We need to think as the Apostle Paul thought when he wrote this letter. He pictured Roman armour. Remember, he was in a Roman prison, most likely chained to a Roman guard. The Roman breastplate was essential, as it protected the body's vital organs. Rather than a single solid chest piece, it was made of overlapping iron strips fastened together with leather straps, hooks, and brass buckles. It was very flexible, allowing the soldier to bend, twist, and swing a sword (The Gladius) freely, while providing heavy protection against slashing and piercing weapons. Different styles of this armour depended on rank, wealth, and the time period. 

I want us to focus on the heart.

The heart holds all kinds of desires, motives, and identity. Protecting the heart means protecting our Godly desires from turning into bad desires; it also means protecting our motivation from becoming impure and out of step with God's own, and, finally, God's armour protects our identity in Christ. We are called to put on Jesus, and the breastplate is putting on Jesus and his righteousness, and so our motives, desires and our very identities are to be Jesus himself. 

In the previous chapter of Ephesians, we are called to be imitators of Christ: 

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV 

Putting on Jesus means imitating him and living for him. So protecting our hearts is really about putting on Jesus. The breastplate, then, is Jesus and his righteousness.

But what is righteousness and why does it matter? 

In one sense, it is our right standing with God because of Jesus. We are cleared from the guilt of sin by what Jesus accomplished and his work. On our own, we cannot be perfectly moral and good; we have original sin, which only Jesus can deal with, and so believers receive righteousness as a free gift through Jesus. We are made right with God by Jesus' work alone. This can be often called imputed righteousness. 

It is also the work of Jesus in believers by faith, who put on Jesus daily and live the practical outworkings of faith. We are called to stand firm in faith; we are called to live for Jesus in a hostile world. This means being like Jesus: doing what is right, good, and loving. 

Why does it matter? 

• Christ's righteousness connects us to God. It bridges the gap we could never do on our own. 
• It protects our hearts and our character. 
• It brings peace.
• It also identifies true believers

Do not trust in yourself. 

We must trust our King, Jesus, who has secured our place in heaven. If we think we must do it all ourselves, we are not putting on the armour of God or protecting ourselves from deception. 

So, just as the belt of truth is put on Jesus, so too is the breastplate of righteousness. 

Our challenge is to look to the King who guards our hearts. 

Written by Daniel J.York