Roman soldiers wore heavy leather sandals, the soles of which were studded with iron hob-nails. A spiritual warrior’s shoes are the gospel of peace, which protect their feet from stepping into enemy traps. These shoes also constrain them from going places that would expose them to danger or the temptation to do something that would mar the righteous shine on the power of their witness.
By Denene Pelkey
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“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
A couple of years ago, I began putting the armor of God on my two daughters before I sent them on the bus to school. It has become a routine for us every morning. Applying this to our life has prepared us to face any battle throughout the day.
In the above verses of Scripture, Paul told us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might so that we may stand against the wiles of the devil. Every day we must put on the armor God has provided in order to be ready and equipped for the war we are in. All of the pieces of armor have to be put on in order for it to be effective.
What is the armor of God?
Roman soldiers were some of the best trained and equipped in the Greco-Roman world. Their armor was designed to protect the body in both defensive and offensive action.
Likewise, spiritual warriors must be trained, armed, and protected. Paul was well acquainted with Roman soldiers, having been associated with the centurion Cornelius, at different times arrested, flogged, escorted to Rome, and finally guarded by them in prison for several years. He knew what their uniform and armor looked like and he used it as an analogy for the spiritual warrior.
- The list of armor in Ephesians 6 starts with the belt of truth. Restraining the body, this belt supports and secures the breastplate and tunic to the soldier’s waist. The belt also supports the sword and other auxiliary weapons. For the spiritual warrior, the belt of truth represents personal integrity and sincerity. Spiritual warriors must not only love the Word of God, but they must love it enough that when they see in it something about themselves that needs correcting, they obey and correct the defect. Maintaining sincerity and personal integrity is essential to the effectiveness of the rest of the armor.
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