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The Footwear of Peace and Shield of Faith

and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all
this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:15-16
How can we stand firm in spiritual warfare? When we became Christians, we gained an enemy. Satan and
his demons desire to steal our peace and joy, kill our physical bodies, and destroy our witness and
callings. In this final section of Ephesians, Paul addresses this war and how Christians should stand firm.
We must stand firm in the strength and power of the Lordapart from this, we will be destroyed (Eph
6:10). But we also must stand firm by putting on the full armor of God (Eph 6:11). Each piece must be
firmly put in place. The armor of God refers to righteous character traits (cf. Col 3:12). Therefore, sin in
the life of believer gives the devil a foothold to destroy us and others.
Previously, we looked at the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. Each piece of armor not
only represents character traits that must be developed in our life but also, through implication, tells us
something about Satans attackshis schemes. In considering the belt of truth, it reminds us that Satan is
a liar and that he constantly uses deception. With the breastplate of righteousness, it reminds us that Satan
attacks our vital organs representing our mind and heart and also that sin in general opens a door for him.
In Ephesians 6:15-16, we will consider the footwear of peace and the breastplate of righteousness, as well
as its implications about Satans schemes.
Big Question: How can the believer stand firm by putting on the footwear of the gospel of peace and the
breastplate of righteousness? What do these two pieces of armor represent?

In Order to Stand Firm, Believers Must Put on the Footwear of Peace

and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:15
When Paul talks about feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, he is
picturing the footing of an ancient soldier. They typically wore a half-boot with the toes uncovered and
spikes coming out of the soles. The boots allowed the soldier to be ready to march, climb, fight, or do
whatever else is necessary.1 The spikes specifically helped him when hiking or on slippery surfaces.
Without the right shoes, the soldiers feet were prone to blisters, cuts, and other foot problems
which would put him at a disadvantage in battle. The soldiers shoes were very importantwithout
them he was unprepared.
Similarly, for the believer, there is appropriate footwear for our spiritual war. It is the gospel of peace. As
with the other pieces of armor, commentators are not unanimous on what they represent. They could
represent several things.
1 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 354). Chicago: Moody Press.

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Interpretation Question: What does feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace
represent?
1. The gospel of peace is appropriating the believers peace with God.
Romans 5:1 says, Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is important because the enemy always aims to separate the believer from God. It is God who gives
the believer power to conquer the devil and strength to put on the armor which is the character of
God. Therefore, the enemy always seeks to separate believers from the source of all that is good.
Sometimes this comes by stirring an anger towards God through his lies. At other times, he fosters a
wrong view on God in the minds of believers. Believers start to believe that God doesnt love them,
doesnt want whats best for them, and that he generally doesnt care. Satan creates a caricature of
Goda God of wrath and not a God love, a God judgment and not a God of mercy. God is each of
these.
We must put on the gospel of peace by remembering that Christ died to remove the separation between
us and God. He paid the penalty for our sins and gave us his righteousness so we could come into
the presence of God and know him. Jesus said in John 17:3, I give them eternal life and this is eternal
lifeknowing God (paraphrase). Christ died so we could come near and have an intimate relationship with
God.
In fact, Christ always strove to correct the thinking of the disciples about God. In Luke 11:13, he said,
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your
Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Christ wanted the disciples to know that their
Abba desired to give them the greatest gifts. And its the same for us. Do you know that our God
wants to bless youthat youre at peace with him?
What is your view of God? Is he unloving, removed, strict, and overbearing? If so, you need to put on the
footwear of peacerecognizing that Christ removed the barrier between God and us. A wrong image of
God destroys our foundation. We cannot fight if we dont see God as he is: our Father, our Abba, or
friend, and our spouse.
Are you wearing the footwear of the gospel of peace?
2. The gospel of peace refers to having the peace of God.
Not only has God given each of us peace with God but also the peace of God. In John 14:27, Jesus said
this, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your
hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. The peace that Christ had while asleep in the boat during the
storm, the peace that enabled him to go to cross, he has given to us. It is not Gods will for us to live in
anxiety, fear, and worry. Constantly, Scripture says, Do not be afraid, Do not worry, and Be
anxious for nothing. Christ has given us the promise of his peace.

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If you are worried, anxious, and fearful, you have the wrong footwear on for this battle. Our enemy is
a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The lion roars to incite fear into his pray.
Some believers are fearful about their future; others are fearful about what others think or say.
Others are afraid of failure. These handicap Christians for battleour readiness comes from Gods
peace.
Therefore, God has commanded us to put on his peace. Colossians 3:15 says, Let the peace of Christ
rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. In the
context, Paul, similarly, refers to the peace of Christ as clothing to be worn (cf. Col 3:12). As believers, we
must let Gods peace rule in our heart, not fear of failure, not fear of losing our job, not fear of rejection.
Satan wants to lead us as slaves through fear, but God guides us as children through his peace (cf.
Rom 8:15).
Do you have peace in your heart? Or are you being tormented by fear?
First John 4:18 says, There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with
punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. A good father doesnt want his children
worried about food, drink, and clothing. He doesnt want his children worried about their future. As
much as he can control events, he controls events for their good. Its the same with God. He wants us to
know that he loves us and that he works all things for our good (Rom 8:28).
Are you wearing the footwear of peace or are you wearing fear, anxiety, and torment?
Application Question: How can we put on the peace of God instead of fear and anxiety?
Philippians 4:6-7 says this,
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

If we are going to have Gods peace, we must reject anxiety and fear. It is not Gods will for us,
and it is sinful. It says, God, you are not to be trusted or You are not in control.

If we are going to have Gods peace, we must learn to pray about everything. Prayer must
become the atmosphere we live in. When we are not living in prayer (i.e. Gods presence), the
storms of life will constantly frighten and overwhelm us.

If we are going to have Gods peace, we must learn to give thanks in everything. When we
complain, murmur, and criticize, we lose the peace of God.

3. The gospel of peace refers to spreading the gospel.

The reference to feet and the gospel is not uncommon in Scripture. Isaiah 52:17 says, How beautiful
on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns! In Romans 10:15, Paul said this, And how

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can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good
news!
One of our responsibilities in this war is to share the gospel with others. It is each persons assignment.
Second Corinthians 5:18-20:
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of
reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins
against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's
ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's
behalf: Be reconciled to God.
In hand to hand combat, if one side is only playing defense, he will eventually be defeated. He must
also attack. Our battle as believers is not just defensive, it is primarily offensive. We are called to
advance the kingdom of God by spreading the gospel everywhere we go in the name of Jesus. If
you are not, then you wont stand firm. The offensive the enemy will unleash will eventually swallow you.
Are you spreading the gospel? Is that your purpose at school, work, home, and with family and friends?
Our feet must always be ready with the gospel. First Peter 3:15 says, But in your hearts set apart Christ as
Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that
you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
I think this also shows us how Satan attacks. He wants to attack our zeal for the gospel. He wants to
quiet us. If we have lost it, then we no longer have the footwear of peace on.
4. The gospel of peace refers to peace in our relationships with others.
This has been one of the major themes of Ephesians. Paul has been teaching the mystery of the
gospel that God has made the Jew and Gentile one in Christ. Consider Ephesians 2:12-14:
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and
foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in
Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For
he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall
of hostility
Animosity between the Jew and Gentile was one of the major issues for the early church. In Acts 6,
the Greek widows were neglected in the daily distribution while the Hebrew widows were provided for.
However, Paul said Christ is our peace; he has made us one.
Surely, one of the major attacks of the enemy on our churches is disunity. Sometimes he brings
disunity through racism which again has been a terrible plague on the church since its inception.
Sometimes he uses doctrine. What God meant to equip and strengthen us, he uses to bring great
division and discord. Most times, he just uses pride. Pride says, My way is the only way, and it cant be

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done any other way. Churches have divided over changing the carpet, the music, the flow of worship
services, and that all comes from pride.
Satan is always attacking the church by seeking to bring division. Remember Paul said in Ephesians
4:26 to not let the sun go down while we are angry and to not give the devil a foothold. Our enemy
uses division to attack the church. However, Christ is our peace.
Are you living in peace with those around you? As much as depends on you, live at peace with all men
(Rom 12:18).
Application Question: In what ways have you experienced Satans attacks through division in your close
relationships, family, and church? How have those experiences affected you and your relationship with
God?
Are you wearing the right footwear for our spiritual war? Are you recognizing our peace with God? He
loves us and cares for us. Are you being filled with the peace of God in your circumstance? Are you
sharing the gospelare you always prepared to give a defense of the hope that is in you? Finally, are you
living at peace with all men, as much as depends on you?
Application Question: In what ways does the enemy constantly attack your peace with God, of God, with
others, your desire to share the gospel? How is God calling you to put on the footwear of peace?

In Order to Stand Firm, Believer Must Put on the Shield of Faith

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming
arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16
The Greek word thureos translated shield referred to a large shield about two and half feet wide and
four and a half feet high. It was designed to protect the entire body of a soldier. It was like a door,
made of solid wood, and covered with metal or leather. It was often dipped in soaking water in order to
extinguish the fiery arrows of the enemy.2
Armies often wrapped pieces of cloth on arrows, soaked them in pitch, set them on fire, and then shot
them at the enemy. Upon contact these arrows would often spatter burning bits for several feet, igniting
anything flammable it touched.3
Our enemy also shoots flaming arrows at us. He shoots the arrows of criticism, fear, covetousness,
anger, depression, doubt, lust, and every other temptation. In order to stand firm, we similarly must put
on the shield of faith.
Interpretation Question: What is the shield of faith and how should believers put it on?
2 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (pp. 358359). Chicago: Moody Press.
3 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (pp. 358359). Chicago: Moody Press.

1. The shield of faith refers to trust in Gods person.

In Genesis 15:1, God said this to Abraham after he had just won a battle, Do not be afraid, Abram. I am
your shield, your very great reward. Essentially, God said to Abraham, Trust me. I will protect you and
reward you. Our protection is God himself and trusting in him.
To put on the shield of faith, means to run to God when in trouble, when things are good, and when
things are mundane. A believer without the shield of faith will run to everything else first before God.
When in a trial, they will run to coffee, to cigarettes, to relationships, to pitty parties, etc. However,
when we have the shield of faith on, well run to God. He is our shieldtherefore we must trust him.
Application Question: How should we learn to trust God more?

Believers learn to trust God by knowing his character.

Proverbs 18:10 says, The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Name
in the ancient world was not just what one called somebody, it referred to his character. The writer of
the Proverb says that knowing Gods character is a tremendous protection for us. The more we know
God and who he is, the more we can stand in our spiritual war.
At the same time, the less we know God and his character, the more prone well be to stumble and
accept Satans lies.
We must understand that God is perfect, all-knowing, all-present, and all-powerful. We must know that
he loves us, cares for us, and wants the best for us. We must understand that he is sovereign and in
control of all eventsnothing happens apart from his watchful eye. If we dont understand this, we will
be prone to anxiety, fear, and anger. God works all things according to the purpose of his will (Eph 1:11).

Believers learn to trust God by knowing his promises.

God has given us many promises to help us stand in this spiritual battle. Second Peter 1:3-4 says,
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of
him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great
and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape
the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
When tempted to fear, we take a hold of Philippians 4:6-7those who pray and give thanks in
everything, the peace of God will guard their hearts and minds. When feeling like giving up, we hold
on to Isaiah 40:31those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. When burnt out, we take
courage in Proverbs 11:25those who refresh others shall themselves be refreshed. When weak, we
hold on to 2 Corinthians 12:9Gods power in made perfect in our weakness; therefore we will boast in
our infirmities and trials. When God feels distant, we hold onto James 4:8draw near God and he will
draw near you.

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Are you putting on shield of faith by holding onto the promises of God? God has given us many promises
so we can stand in the day of evil.

Believers learn to trust God by faithfully walking with him.

The longer we walk with God, the more we will trust him. As we watch God part the Red Sea for us,
fight our battles, strengthen us in our weakness, it enables us to trust him more.
Are you spending time with Godbeing in his presence? The less you are with a person, the less you
will trust them. In order to be ready for this battle, you must live in the presence of Godwalking faithfully
with him.
What else does the shield of faith refer to?
2. The shield of faith refers to dependence upon the body of Christ.
In ancient times, the edges of this shield were so constructed that an entire line of soldiers could
interlock shields and march into the enemy like a solid wall. This suggests that we Christians are
not in the battle alone.4
A Christian walking alone will not be able to stand in this battle. The forces are attacking from every
direction; we need one another to stand firm. Yes, this is a struggle since the church is not perfect as
God is. However, this is the medium God has chosen to give his grace through. He works through an
imperfect body. To not avail oneself of the resources of the body is to be left vulnerable to the attacks
of the devil.
Satan works overtime to push people out of the church, to accuse it, to condemn it, and push people
away from God who empowers it. Yes, the church is full of sinners; it is even full of tares and wheat (cf.
Matt 13:24-30). However, every army is full of people with flaws, but without trust in one another, no
army will stand.
Therefore, in order to put on the shield of faith, we must depend upon the body of Christjust like
ancient Roman soldiers depended on one another.
Are you depending upon the body of Christ? Are you confessing your sins to one another and praying for
one another (James 5:16)? Are speaking the truth in love to one another (Eph 4:15)?
3. The shield of faith refers to living a life of faitha life of serving God.
In ancient Roman armies, the people with the thureosthe large shieldwere always at the front of
the army. They were the front lines. When they had their shields up, they protected the rest of the army
from the fiery arrows. They also allowed their archers to shoots arrows while being protected.
Therefore, to put on the shield of faith means to live a life of faithserving God.
4 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 58). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

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It means stepping out of our comfort zone to serve in a small group or a ministry. It means using our
gifts to serve the church. While doing this, we will receive criticism; we will be attacked by the enemy
emotionally, physically, and spiritually. But while you are standing firm against the attacks with the shield
of faith, it protects others and helps them grow even as they watch your great faith.
To sit in the back, to never get involved, to never use our spiritual gifts to serve the church and build
others up, means to not have on the shield of faith. Those not serving, not getting involved, often arent the
focus of the enemy. Why waste arrows on somebody who isnt fighting anyways?
However, the more serious one gets about Godthe more they servethe more they will be under
attack. In some ways, we should find encouragement in being under attackthis means we are a
threat. And if we are not under attack by the enemy, we should be alarmed. Maybe, we are not in the
battle.
Application Question: In what ways have you experienced more spiritual attacks while serving God?
Are you daily putting on the shield of faith? Are you living a life of faith or are you living a life of fear?
Are depending on the body of Christ or are you independent? Are you on the frontlines or on the sidelines?
If we are going to stand firm, we must put on the shield of faith.
Application Question: What aspects of the shield of faith stood out to you most and why? How is God
calling you to put on the shield of faith?

Conclusion
How can we stand firm in this spiritual war?
1. In Order to Stand Firm, Believers Must Put on the Footwear of Peace

By appropriating the believers peace with God

By appropriating the peace of God
By sharing the gospel with others
By walking in peace with others

2. In Order to Stand Firm, Believer Must Put on the Shield of Faith

By trusting in Gods person

By depending on the body of Christ
By serving God