So far in this series we have looked at the Loin belt of truth, and the breastplate of righteousness. Tonight we will continue on in the series and discover the next piece of the Armor.
In Ephesians 6 Paul continues on and says, “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” (Eph 6:15)
The Roman soldiers shoes were not like other shoes of the time, they were made out of bronze or brass, usually brass, and comprised of two parts the greave, or upper part which began at the top of the foot and extended upwards to just below the knee and the shoe its self. The greave was made of finely tooled brass, which was formed to the soldier’s calf and caused the shoe to look like a boot when it was worn.
The shoe itself was made of two pieces of metal on that top and the bottom. The foot was covered with fine pieces of brass. The sides were held together by multiple pieces of leather. On the bottom, the shoes had extremely dangerous spikes, spikes that were one to three inches in length. If you were involved in active combat your spikes could be up to three inches Long, These were killer shows.
When you think about these shoes and their sharpened spikes it is amazing that Paul used them to describe peace.
According to Paul “peace” is a powerful weapon. It is both defensive and offensive. Peace will not only protect you but it is also a powerful offensive weapon, which when used correctly will keep spiritual foes where they belong, under your feet!
One good kick and they’ll be crushed.
Notice Paul says, “ And having your feet shod…” The word Shod is taken from the Greek word hupodeomai (hu-po-de-mai), and is a compound word of the words hupo (hu-po) and deo (de-o). The word hupo means “under” and the word deo means, “to bind” Taken together as one word hubpdeomai it conveys the meaning of binding something very tightly to the bottom of ones feet.
Paul goes on to tell us that we need to bind peace to our lives in the same manner. If we bind peace loosely to our lives, the affairs of life will knock our peace out of place. Therefore we must position peace firmly into place. We must “bind” peace upon our minds, emotions, and in our heart, the way the roman soldier is sure to bind his shoes tightly to his feet.
When we have a firm grip on “peace” in our lives, then we are ready for action. Paul goes on to say, “Having your feet shod with the preparation…” The word “preparation” comes from the word etoimasin (e-toi-ma-sin), and carries the idea of “readiness or preparation.”
The word etoimasin when used in reference to the roman soldier indicated men of war who had their shoes tightly bound to their feet, and had a “firm footing.” With the assurance that their shoes would stay in place they could boldly march onto the battlefield and confront the enemy. Therefore, the word “preparation” (etoimasin) conveys the idea of “solidity, firmness, or a solid foundation.” Because Paul has chosen this word to denote the action of “peace” in our lives, he is clearly indication that “peace” is a foundational principle in our lives, we have a “firm footing.”
This “peace” gives us foundation so secure and so firm that we can move out in confidence, without being effected by what we see or what we hear. This aggressive peace puts us in a position directly into the face of adversity, or directly into the face of a challenge, without being moved by what we see, feel, or what we hear.
Paul continues, “And having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace…” The word peace is taken from the word eirene (ei-re-ne), an old word that conveys the idea of a “peace that prevails or a conquering peace.” As used in salutations, like Paul uses it in his epistles, it means “blessings and prosperity in every area of your life.”
By using this word Paul indicates that the individual who receives the gospel message, it brings blessings and prosperity along with it. In fact the word “peace” (eirene) implies that the blessings of God will be so strong and effective in your life, that this conquering force will remove all chaos you once knew, and will replace it with “Peace that prevails” in every area of your life.
When that supernatural peace has been disturbed and chaos is attempting to reign in your life this is an indication that you are under siege.
However, presence of chaos and absence of peace does not necessarily mean that the enemy has attacked you. It may be a indication that you have violated a principle of scripture, or that you have disobeyed the will of God for your life. Before you run out to fight the devil off your back, look into a mirror be sure you are not the problem. The devil isn’t always the source of our problems. Be honest with yourself and with God. Examine your life to see if you cause this lack of peace in your life.
Before you shift blame of personal failure to someone else in your life, before you scream the devil is after my peace, be sure that you haven’t left any gaping holes that have given arise to your current situation.
God’s perfect plan is that this prevailing and conquering peace will dominate your life! When this kind of peace is firmly planted in your mind, emotions and soul, there is little the devil can do to move you. This peace gives you a firm footing regardless of how hard the devil hits you or what your daily life throws at you. This prevailing conquering peace will hold you in place.
There are two kinds of peace that a person can experience. The first kind of peace is the peace with God. Peace with God is what a person experiences when they first come to the Lord for salvation. Once repentance is complete and the hostility of the old man is gone, a new peace with God comes into being.
As Paul said, “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross…you, that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your minds by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.” (Colossians 1:20).
Peace with God is a spiritual condition. It belongs to all believers. This peace with God is the condition that comes into being when the barrier between man and God dissolves, and the alienated mind comes into harmony with God. This of course is what true conversion is all about. This is when you first experience the peace of God.
In addition to this peace with God, which is the birthright for all believers, there is also peace of God. It is possible to have peace with God without experiencing the peace of God. The peace of God is very different then the peace of God.
Many people are at peace with God by virtue of their conversion experience, but they are not walking in the peace of God. Instead of being dominated by his prevailing conquering peace that passes all understanding, they walk in constant fretfulness, anxiety, worry, and all kinds of other turmoil. This is the reason that “peace” has been given to us as a weapon. The peace of God is a protective peace. It protects you from all of the above and everything else that the devil might try to use to disturb your enjoyment of abundant life.
Just to refresh, Paul says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…” (Colossians 3:15). The word “rule” is the key to understanding this overcoming/dominating supernatural peace of God. This word is taken from the Greek word brabeuo (bra-beu-o). The word brabeuo was used to portray the umpire or referee who judged the athletic games in Rome.
By choosing to use this illustration, Paul tells us there is a place where God can call the shots and make all the decisions in our lives, instead of fretfulness, anxiety and worry. You could translate this verse “ let the peace of God call the shots in your life…” “let the peace of God umpire your life and actions” “let the peace of God referee your emotions and your decisions” the devil takes advantage of un-renewed areas of our minds and attempts to turn them into an emotional roller coasters. That consistently has you feeling up one day and down the next. Even if there weren’t a devil to attack you, the ever-changing affairs of life alone would be enough to keep one continually tossed to and fro, especially in today’s world. We must learn to let the peace of God “rule” in our hearts!
When this supernatural peace rules in your heart, and umpires your life and serves as a referee to your emotions and your decisions, the devil cannot gain the foothold he desires in your life. He cannot play games with your emotions or your mind because your mind is governed by peace.
Do you see why Paul included “peace” in this section of scripture weaponry? When you are walking in the peace of God, the enemy’s assault can’t affect you. They loose their power. There on slots are not effective against a believer who is walking in the overwhelming conquering and prevailing peace of God.