… and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Summary: Understanding Paul’s words requires an understanding of the battle we are in. The people who get in our faces now and then are not the enemy. They are being used by the enemy to attack us. We need to be able to discern the difference.
Oh dear…
What does it mean that “readiness … comes from the gospel?”
How does that work?
Perhaps a different translation will help explain. Let’s look at the Amplified Version of the Bible.
“… and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news].”
I suppose this helps a little. Somehow putting the gospel of peace on our metaphorical feet helps make us ready to do battle with the enemy.
Let’s look at the big picture again and see if we can make some sense of this. Paul says:
“[O]ur struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but sometimes people of flesh and blood are used by the “spiritual forces of evil” to attack us. When that happens, it can make us angry.
Anger is a powerful emotional reaction that can cause us to react badly. Anger releases chemicals in our brains that impedes our ability to think rationally. While anger can sometimes work for us, when it comes to God’s will for us, anger is something we should strive to avoid.
The Bible describes God as “slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15) God’s Word tells us that “… human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires,” (James 1:20) and that we are “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).
When the Romans did battle man-to-man, they could not afford to let themselves be trapped in a corner or slip on the ground. They needed feet that could move nimbly and keep them upright. The footwear worn by Roman soldiers was relatively high-tech. Called “caligae” in Latin, they were a supple leather sole attached to the foot by an intricate webbing of leather straps. Iron studs on the bottom of the soles provided traction.
When we battle a spiritual enemy, we cannot afford to slip up or be trapped by our anger. When attacked by the enemy, it might look like the person in front of us is attacking. We need to dodge the enemy’s blows using spiritual footwork.
Instead of slipping or falling into the enemy’s traps, being shod with the gospel of peace allows us to dance nimbly around the traps. We do this with techniques like turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), forgiving others when they sin against us (Matthew 6: 14-15), and feeding our enemy when he is hungry, or if he is thirsty, giving him water to drink (Proverbs 35:21-22).
The gospel of peace isn’t just for making disciples of Jesus. It is a critical piece of our armor in our battle against the dark forces of evil.
Application: Boots on! (Spiritual boots, that is!)
Food for Thought: What can we do to ensure we are well prepared with the gospel of peace?
I’m going into battle today to plan an attack against a very unfortunate Woke christian school. Please pray for wisdom!
Jim,
I know God has blessed you with wisdom already, but I am happy to pray for more! In addition to wisdom, I pray that you are covered in the fruit of God’s Spirit, “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
It would help to know this gospel and know of the attacks against it. We must protect and guard the truth of the gospel while spreading it every chance we get.
Amen, brother!
10-23-2023, What can we do to ensure we are well prepared with the gospel of peace?
We must first wake up to the fact that we are spiritual beings in physical bodies, no longer blinded by our flesh. Given Spiritual sight as we daily seek growth in Jesus Christ who is our armor of God.
Know we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Our desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, these being opposed to each other, keep us from doing the things we want to do.
Ephesians 6:12, Galatians 5:17
The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We are told by the Lord, do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. And “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
2 Corinthians 10:4, 2 Chronicles 20:15, Exodus 14:13-14
Jesus came to earth knowing He was to be the Lamb of God, to give Himself as the sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Jesus lived a life in total submission to God as He served mankind in EVERYTHING he did. Christ in us continues to serve mankind through our obedience to His will in all things.
Jesus is our example, and power as we remain on earth with the sole purpose of serving others. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. He consistently gave all Glory to God who He served on earth. As His faithful disciples we have become cleansed of all unrighteousness, filled with the Holy Spirit who today speaks the truth to others in the love of God, as we allow others to see Christ in our lives
Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, 1 John 1:9
Thanks Ron!
Sounds like learning to apply the teachings of Jesus is the best preparation we can get. 🙂