CWW Week 13 - Day 4 - The Armour Of God
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The Armour Of God
Scripture:
Ephesians 6:15
“And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace:”
Devotional
This verse is part of the larger passage where Paul describes the spiritual armour that believers should put on to stand against spiritual forces of evil. Specifically, Ephesians 6:15 focuses on the importance of having readiness and firm footing in spreading the gospel of peace.
The verse emphasises that we should be prepared and equipped with the message of peace found in the gospel. Just as shoes provide stability and enable movement, the gospel of peace gives us a firm foundation and readiness to share the message of reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. This readiness is essential for standing firm in faith and effectively engaging in spiritual warfare.
It all gets back to the Good News of the Gospel. You are forgiven and covered in God’s grace and mercy. The Gospel is about restoring our relationship with the loving Father who created us. You have been saved and it is by faith that you have eternal life in Heaven and serenity here on earth in the most trying circumstances.
Knowing this, is what puts a spring in your step and provides you with a licence signed and authorised by God through Jesus, to reject evil in His name and demand evil to depart from your daily life.
The gospel tells us that we are forgiven and the fine has been paid on our behalf by Jesus Christ. Knowing that, no matter how dark our past means that we can be a new person and be reborn to a new life through Christ.
It is the past that evil will use to convince the unwary that it’s too late to receive God’s grace. That voice that tells us that we have already messed this life up and that our fate is cast in concrete.
When I was an Airline Captain, I was able to fly with confidence and certainty. I had great equipment, exceptional crew, awesome training and great logistical support. This confidence enabled me to operate safely and efficiently knowing that all the bases that could be covered were covered.
As I watch free climbers scale vertical rock faces un-aided, I can see that they are sure footed because they have confidence in their strength and ability. Jesus gives us that confidence to face the shear cliffs of life cladding our feet with the assurance of His promises to us which are always kept. So long as we stand in His shoes, we know that we are equipped to stand in the fight against evil on a solid footing with a firm grip.
This can only come as we delve daily into God’s word through scripture, the operating manual for our lives.
So why do we need this part of the armour of God?
Well none of us are meant to keep God’s gifts a secret. We are called to proclaim the good news of the Gospel to all who wish to hear it. We must remember though that there are many who will reject our message and defend their positions at all cost.
Evil is never happy when we do this and every arrow that can be fired in our direction will be used against us. The simple knowledge from the Gospel message will give us the strength and courage to face the attacks from wherever they come.
We do this knowing that Jesus has our back and will never give us anything to face that He won’t equip us to handle. These shoes are a huge part of the armour and form the foundation we can rely on when we face the enemy of souls.
For me the best way by far is to allow the peace that comes in knowing Jesus to be the talking point. It is so much easier to answer an enthusiastic question than preach at people.
I know in myself that when I ask a question I am definitely interested in listening for the answer. It’s a mentoring skill that we must learn because nothing reinforces a message more than having the learner realise for themselves, the answers that they are seeking. This is why returning a question with another question enhances learning.
Lets try it out.
Questions
- Have you been running your life without Jesus; and how has that worked for you?
- Do you always look for the ‘catch’ when you hear good news?
- Who wins if you accept the good news of the Gospel, or perhaps its better to ask who loses?
Prayer.
Dear Lord, Papa God.
You are clearly showing me that you are the remedy for all that holds me down and traps me in a prison often of my own making. Why do I find it so hard to accept a gift? Is it that I feel deep down that I don’t deserve it? Papa please open my heart to receive the treasure of a relationship with you that I may stand strong in my faith with the courage that can only come by my faith in you. Please Lord, fit me with the shoes of confidence in the Gospel of peace, for this I ask in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
Graham Hood
