The second piece of equipment in the armor of God is the breastplate of righteousness. It was the first piece of armor put on and the last one taken off, if Roman soldiers thought they might be attacked during the night they would even sleep with it on.

What is this righteousness that we should put on first thing in the morning and not take off all day? Righteousness is living in a right relationship with God. We are sinners who can't be righteous on our own BUT as 1 John 1:9 tells us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Since we can't live a sin free life we must live a life that is honest and open before the Lord. We can't harbor secret sins and convince ourselves that they are not really sins, or that they are no big deal. God forgives freely and cleanses us with his grace and mercy but we must acknowledge those sins and turn away from them instead of trying to shield them in our hearts. This is when we walk in a right relationship with God and he will put the breastplate of righteousness upon us.