The good news and the shield of faith are some of the most essential pieces of the spiritual armor the Lord has given us. When we go into battle without these pieces of armor, we find ourselves without a roadmap, the Bible, and the faith that is rooted in His Word. Today, the Lord may be awakening you to the fact that you are in a spiritual battle and that you need to take the words of Paul seriously in Ephesians 6:10-17.
The world we live in is filled with lies and deception to lead people away from God. This is why the first part of God’s armor is the belt of truth. The belt is the armor’s foundation and symbolizes truth and integrity. This can only be found in God’s Word. It is through God’s Word that people discover truth, come to faith, and experience a peace in their hearts that only God can provide Romans 10:17So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.[1]
The Gospel of Peace
Ephesians 6: 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[2] It might seem a bit unusual to think of shoes as part of your armor, but can you picture heading into battle without them? A Roman soldier had leather sandals with studded soles. This allowed them to dig in and keep their footing in hand-to-hand combat.
So, how does the Gospel of peace relate to shoes? First, let’s take a moment to understand what the Gospel of peace truly is. ‘Gospel’ means “good news,” and it highlights the sacrifice Jesus made for us, offering us salvation. Because of this, it brings us peace and reassurance.
As followers of Jesus, Paul encourages us to spread the good news. Being equipped with the Gospel of peace enables us to do this effectively. John 14:27I(Jesus) am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.[3] With God’s strength, we will have the courage to share our faith. Also, Jesus defeated death, so fear is unnecessary. In addition, Gospel shoes help us keep our footing in rough areas, and hope in Jesus sustains us through trials.
The Shield of Faith
Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[4] A Roman shield was large, about two feet by four feet and covered with leather. Soldiers would often wet the shield to extinguish flaming arrows. The soldiers could interlock their shields to march toward the enemy like a solid wall. We Christians are to battle together.
In this verse, Paul urges us to hold up our shields, the shield of faith, emphasizing that faith is our defense during attacks. It protects us from threats and helps us move forward amid adversity. To withstand assaults, cultivating and maintaining faith is essential. Faith means complete reliance on God and readiness to obey His will. In this spiritual battle, when the enemy fires flaming arrows of doubt, temptation, feelings of worthlessness, lust, bitterness, and other trials, we can raise our shield and extinguish them. Don’t wait any longer to pick up your shield of faith. To learn more about the Good News and the shield of faith, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/following-jesus-into-battle
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.