Paul Instructs the Ephesian Believers on Spiritual
Warfare Part 6: The Pieces of our Armor
Ephesians
6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; KJV The next piece of armor the Apostle Paul details to these Ephesian believers and we believers “in Christ” today is that we have our “feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). The Roman soldiers would put on each of their legs before a battle what is called “greaves” which was an armor plate that protects legs below the knee and the top of the foot because many of their enemies would cover the ground with sharp prickly sticks to prevent the Roman army from marching into enemy territory. Therefore, the Apostle Paul seeing with his spiritual eyes the enemy placing his principalities and powers before us to prevent us from marching forward declaring the Gospel of Christ and His Grace & Blood that will save any sinner from their sin eternally. It was this very same Apostle that wrote these words to the converted believers in Rome, “So, for my part, I am willing {and} eagerly ready to preach the Gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) {of Christ,} for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes {with} a personal trust {and} a confident surrender {and} firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek, for in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, the man who through faith is just {and} upright shall live {and} shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:15-17).
The Gospel is to be adhered to firmly just like those grieves were placed tightly around the lower leg and top of the feet to keep us from the spiritual error and lies the devil and his principalities and powers go about the earth spreading as the Apostle Paul warned Brother Timothy with these words, “But the [Holy] Spirit distinctly {and} expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding {and} seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach, Through the hypocrisy {and} pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized)” (1 Timothy 4:1-2). The Gospel when received in the inner man or inner woman brings about peace with God as Paul wrote to the Roman believers, “Therefore, since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).” (Romans 5:1) and we have the peace of God ruling within us when we at all times put this part of our armor on as Paul wrote with these words to the Colossian believers, “And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” (Colossian 3:15).
Arming ourselves with the Gospel of peace always reminds us that we must live a life of repentance and faith “in Christ” being guided and directed by Him and His Gospel as the Apostle Paul declared with these words to the Colossian believers, “As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with {and} conformity to Him. Have the roots [of your being] firmly {and} deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed {and} established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding {and} overflowing in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7). Consequently, this will protect us from the error and lies that are taught by demons through men and women pretending to be followers of Christ as Paul declared with these words to the Corinthian believers, “For such men are false apostles [spurious, counterfeits], deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles (special messengers) of Christ (the Messiah). And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light; So it is not surprising if his servants also masquerade as ministers of righteousness. [But] their end will correspond with their deeds.” (2 Corinthians 11:11-13). Note: This is what a Brother “in Christ” Dr. Daniel Whitby (1638-1726) said long ago of this piece of our armor, “That you may be ready for the combat, be shod with the Gospel of Peace, endeavor after that peaceable and quiet mind which the Gospel calls for. Be not easily provoked, nor prone to quarrel: but show all gentleness and all long-suffering to all men, and this will certainly preserve you from many great temptations and persecutions, as did those shoes of brass the soldiers from those gall-traps.”
“Here it designs a firm and solid knowledge of the Gospel, as it publishes peace by Jesus Christ, which yields a sure foundation for the Christian soldier to set his foot upon, and stand fast on; it being that to him, as the shoe is to the foot, its base or foundation: and for the feet to be ‘shod with’ it, does not mean the outward conversation being agreeably to the Gospel, though such a walk and conversation is very beautiful and safe, and such may walk and war with intrepidity: but it designs the constant and firm standing of believers in the faith of the Gospel, and so striving and contending for it, without being moved from it, that it may continue with them. Shoes or boots, which were sometimes of iron, and sometimes of brass, are reckoned among the armor of soldiers.” Dr. John Gill
“In ancient warfare battles were lost or won very largely according to the weight of the masses of men that were hurled against each other; and the heavier men, with the firmer footing, were likely to be the victors. Our modern scientific way of fighting is different from that. But in the old time the one thing needful was that a man should stand firm and resist the shock of the enemies as they rushed upon him. Unless our footing is good we shall be tumbled over by the onset of some unexpected antagonist. And for good footing there are two things necessary. One is a good, solid piece of ground to stand on, that is not slippery nor muddy, and the other is a good, strong pair of soldier’s boots, that will take hold on the ground and help the wearer to steady himself. Christ has set our feet on the rock, and so the first requisite is secured. If we, for our part, will keep near to that Gospel which brings peace into our hearts, the peace that it brings will make us able to stand and bear unmoved any force that may be hurled against us. If we are to be ‘steadfast, unmovable,’ we can only be so when our feet are shod with the preparedness of the Gospel of peace.” Alexander MacLaren
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
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