Stephen continued his series on spiritual armour by looking at spiritual footwear (Eph 6:12-17). Nike may have the slogan ‘Just Do It’, but we too need to be sure to put on every item of armour mentioned in this passage if we are to stand firm for God.
Nowadays we have a great choice of footwear available to us (formal shoes, casual shoes, boots, trainers, flip-flops, to name but a few.) However, God’s footwear is specific and an essential part of our kit. The traditional Roman sandal gave ankle support and had nails on the base to help with marching long distances:
Our feet need to be equally prepared for speed and endurance. Unusually, however, in any discussion on war, our feet are fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. If we are in a war zone and facing conflict, how can peace stand in this place?
Paul makes it clear that our enemy is not flesh and blood (i.e. people), but the spiritual forces of evil aligned against God. Ps 29:11 reminds us that God gives both strength and peace to His people. Our weapons are not of this world and peace is a vital part of our armour. Matt 5:9 reminds us that we are blessed when we are peacemakers, for we can make a difference through our peacefulness. Eph 2:13-14 reminds us that Jesus is our peace, for He has destroyed the barrier that was between us and God and now we can know peace with God (Rom 5:1) and with each other. Soldiers are usually urged to move forward aggressively and assertively, but our battle requires a unique spiritual armour, whereby we recognise that the God of peace is the one who will crush Satan under our feet (Rom 16:20) and that love and peace are the way that we will see hearts changed and lives transformed.
God’s footwear makes a difference to our lives. We just have to put it on and stand firm.