THE ARMOUR OF GOD (Part four) SHOES OF PEACE

The King James Version translates this verse as: “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”The footwear of the Roman soldier was both protective and supportive. But even more importantly, this passage is talking about your footwork. During a battle, the movement is everything. Failure to step in for an offensive strike when the opportunity presents itself can mean that a battle can continue longer than you can bear—or even allow another enemy more time to come up and take you from behind. Defensively, if you fail to move out of the way when your opponent lunges, your own death can loom near. Shifting your balance and weight effectively in battle simply cannot be done without effective footwork.

When this passage is talking about fitting your feet with the “readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace,” this means that you should steer conversations and encounters to the loving Gospel (either in word or in deed), but only when the opportunity presents itself. It can also mean not presenting “pearls to swine” when it would be inappropriate to discuss spiritual things. As Christian warriors, we need to be ready and able to present and share the Gospel.

• 2 Timothy 4:2: “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.”
• Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Paying attention to our footwork also means that we need to watch where we walk and steer clear of traps and snares laid down for us by the enemy himself! 2 Timothy 2:25-26: “Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”