Welcome back to The War Series, Dressed To Kill which is our 2nd Golden Series on the website, and our first series of this year. So glad that you can join me today for another blog post about this war series. We have been actively talking about what spiritual warfare is and its components, like Target Practice, Sharpening Our Aim, and a few tips on Basic Training Details, and worked our way through to two Issued Uniform equipment which is the Full Armor of God.
Be sure to go back and catch up on previous War Series posts if you missed any.
Spiritual Warfare Prayer: Father, we thank you for your goodness and mercy when it comes to your children. Thank you for your loving kindness that you show us every day of our lives. Father, you are the keeper of peace and the helper for the helpless. As we journey every day in our spiritual battle, preserve us in every area of our lives. Revive us Jesus in your loving name. You are our fortress and defender, you work on our behalf on the things seen and unseen. You are the only one who can bring evil to light. Father, we thank you and praise you forever and always. Amen.
Let’s Get Into It!!
Heavy Duty Combat Boots
Uniform Details: Our Heavy Duty Combat Boots a.k.a The Shoes of Peace is our third equipment armor that we will be issued. We will wear this armor correctly according to the Word of God. We will be covered and fully protected with this armor.
and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6: 15
Spiritual Intel:
I find it fascinating to know that there are so many translations referring to this scripture alone. They mean the same thing but every version of this scripture emphasizes the importance of the feet.
New Living Translation
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
English Standard Version
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
Berean Study Bible
and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.
Berean Literal Bible
and having shod the feet with the readiness of the gospel of peace;
King James Bible
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
New King James Version
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
New American Standard Bible
and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace;
For me, there’s a different tone and junction to each of these translations. I am a New International Version reader, I can digest NIV better than most translations, but when it comes to the Full Armor of God I love reading other translations to get the full scope of how they worded certain phrases.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
Let’s break down this armor in parts, To be fitted in something means you have to have the correct proportions of something. You have to have the right dimensions and width of whatever you're trying to fit properly. There’s nothing like having something that fits you perfectly and makes you feel good when wearing it. So when the scriptures say, “with your feet fitted”, “shoes for your feet” or ”your feet shod with” these phrases are suggesting the perfect fit for your feet. The perfect protection of the foot.
I can remember the infamous childhood photo of myself in my mom's high heels. I loved these all-black heel boots that were lace-ups and when I would find them in my mom's closet I would try them on. It didn't matter if my feet were too small, I was only a child.
Cycling through more family photos there was another time when I would wear my father’s Heavy Duty Combat Boots. I would try my hardest to walk in them but would always trip and fall and sometimes would hurt myself, but I was determined to walk in them anyway.
Growing up my father would come home from work and take off his military jacket and then his belt. He would then carefully unlace his boots and put them aside to be cleaned. Before he went to bed for the night, I would watch him clean and polish his military boots with this black tar-like substance. This process would take several minutes to complete properly. Being from a military family the household would always know when my father had started this process because we could smell the boot polish from upstairs. He would dab a little polish on a rag and move the rag in circular motions unto his boots until the whole boot was polished and complete. My father would prepare his boots for the next morning, so all he had to do was put them on and go.
I have said these things to you,
that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
There’s nothing like wearing shoes that are a perfect fit for your feet. The preparation and/or readiness are represented in the protection of our shoes (combat boots).
Preparation: the action or process of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration.
Readiness: the state of being fully prepared for something
The word preparation means you are not quite ready yet but you're almost there, while readiness means I’ve completed my preparation phase and I’m now just on standby, ready and willing.
Would you say that you are in preparation or in a state of readiness?
Peace Be Still
The gospel itself provides the blueprint of everything we do. Everything is according to the gospel. In the military, it is essential to take care of your feet. When military personnel goes out into combat they don't really know their weather condition. It can be damp, rainy, humid, and extremely hot weather but the main objective is to take care of their feet and make sure they’re in good condition.
Paul is expressing that same notion in verse 15, it says, “with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” What is peace? What does peace have to do with anything according to the armor of God? With the world being the way it is, how can I find peace? These are all the questions I had when reading this passage.
Peace is defined as freedom from disturbance; to be completely tranquil and serene in utter external chaos. Another definition defines peace as a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended.
Am I living in Peace?
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15
I came across this quote from a senior pastor the other day and it really made a lot of sense to me. He talks about peace being the response to violence and both are within the world we live in. Take a look at what he said.
"Peace is the bold, courageous and ultimate response to the notion that violence provides any viable solution for the conflicts of our world. Where war destroys and tears apart, peace builds, strengthens, and restores. At the same time, peace is personal, for each of us longs for security and tranquility in the face of the troubles, anxiety, and chaos that often touch our lives."
-The Rev. Kent Winters-Hazelton
History Fact: Shoes
In Roman society, shoes played a huge role in social class and status, just like we talked about with the Tactical Belt. Civilians and upperclassmen were distinguished not only by their belts but by their shoes as well. Civilians wore soft leather shoes called Calcei.
If you were a slave then most likely you didn't have shoes at all. Priests and kings sometimes dyed their sandals certain colors to signify authority and rank. However,
Roman soldiers wore shoes that had heavier-duty leather and materials on them. Roman soldiers also had additional features on their shoes like slits on the sides of their shoes for ventilation as well as hobnails at the bottom of their shoes for traction in rough terrain. The hobnails also kept them on their feet in battle when it came to powerful blows from the enemy.
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Mark 16:15
Different Terrains:
Life calls and brings forth different levels of obstacles, for the sake of my theme, we are going to call them life terrains. God purposely sends life terrains to teach us and to build in us whatever he needs to build in us. So, when these life terrains come, we need to be ready for them with the readiness on our feet.
The terrain of a believer of Christ will be rough and rigorous. There will be days where you feel trapped, unwanted, alone, tired, frustrated, and sometimes helpless, trust me I have endured all of these emotions. But with emotions, they soon will fade away, and I always had to remind myself that the terrain will always level out in due season if I keep moving. If I keep walking in peace and strength. There’s a song called In The Garden that my church sings, and the lyrics say, “Every day the Lord walks with me, and he talks with me, and he tells me that I’m his own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known” I love this song to my core because it reminds me when I leave to go back out into the world that the Lord will always be right beside me, walking and talking with me through every life terrain.
The bible says that we should stand strong in affliction and continue to pray through it. Speaking for myself, this is one of the hardest things to do. Because logically if I’m going through a storm, the first thing I want to do is try to get out of it…immediately. I had to learn rather quickly that tribulations, suffering, trials, snares, and afflictions strengthen character building and require me to lean on God going through such chaos.
Peace in affliction means to hold fast to what is true no matter what the circumstance or test. To lean and press to God’s unchanging hand as your first response instead of your last resort. The hobnails were vital for the Roman Soldier, these men would walk roughly 20 miles for training or for battle and then have to fight. They walked through all types of landscapes, hills, valleys, and through all types of weather conditions. At any given point they had to be vigilant because their enemy was out there lurking.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrew 13:5
Strategic Intel:
To use this armor strategically you must know how the devil will try to attack you with it. I mentioned that life terrain will bring forth affliction. So this is when Satan will attack you the most. He already knows you're vulnerable because you have to adapt to the rough terrain but he sneaks in doubt and then robs you of your peace. When you are afflicted it's hard to praise God. you're in so much pain that it is hard to see through it, let alone to get past it.
The devil makes it his mission to steal, kill, and destroy your peace. Do not let him take advantage of you with this armor on!
Defensive Strategy: Your Heavy Duty Combat Boots serve as a defensive technique that benefits you.
> Protects your feet when in combat
> Ensures protection when walking long distances
> Prevents us from temptation and sin
Offensive Strategy: Your Heavy Duty Combat Boots also serves as an offensive technique because it does the following:
> Spreads the Gospel everywhere you go
> Teaches you to bring, create, and establish peace in rough terrain
The Peace with God
V.S
The Peace of God
Peace with God is about connection and internal joy. That's where relationships and closeness come into play. Without the connection to God, you will always live in chaos. Remember, the enemy is the Prince of this world so if you're without God then you will fall into corruption. The bible says we find peace through Jesus Christ.
Being with God looks like confessing that you are a sinner in need of His help and guidance. That you are willing to get out of the way and follow Christ. That you are willing to turn from your sinful desires and pick up the armor of righteousness. Believing that Christ died for your sins so you can be set free.
The Peace of God is the result of having Peace with God. The more I spend with God in my private life will influence the peace I have of God despite what my life looks like. Despite my circumstances. The peace of God allows you to not worry or be anxious for nothing but in everything continue to pray with supplications. To be thankful in spite of. The Peace of God is a representation of who God is, and we should all be glad and thankful for that.
Call To Action:
In what areas in my life do I not have peace? Is it my family? My Parents? My Marriage? My Friends? Work-Life? Home Life? Myself? My Children? How do we use Heavy Duty Combat Boots properly and in everyday use?
Just like the Roman soldiers, we as Christians are to walk in these fitted shoes for long distances at a time. To wear them accordingly and spread peace in every inch of our lives. God designed these spiritual shoes because he knew the road to His kingdom would have rough terrain. He knew it would be uncomfortable for many.
There’s no room for hesitation when walking in peace. Become so grounded in the Word of God that when the Lord instructs you to do something, you move instantly. Sometimes there’s friction in hesitation. Fear and uncertainty can not be used when wearing this armor.
Gain the ability to move in peace with others. Roman soldiers walked in formations, fought in formations, and worked together to protect each other in battle. It is hard to work with difficult people but we still as Christians need to operate in love and peace. Love covers a multitude of sins. Joining together in peace keeps us grounded in all types of life terrain.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Golden Words of Wisdom:
We must always be vigilant and ready when walking in peace. To be agile and ready and willing when putting on this armor.
To walk in peace is to be easily frazzled, frustrated, or offended. To have some self-restraint and discipline that the devil will be so frustrated with you that he can not trigger you into sin. This is the epitome of walking in peace.
Satan wants to worry you to death, to stress you out, and make you have complications with your health and body. He wants to drive you crazy that you will try to end it all yourself. He wants to make you believe that there’s no way out, that God has completely given up on you and you no longer deserve Him at all. He wants you to think that no one, including God, will ever love you because you’re too sinful. Anxiety, heartache, turmoils, diseases, sickness, and death are all tactics of Satan to wear you OUT with afflictions and steal your PEACE! Remember God is The Prince of Peace, He is the creator of Joy, and you have to meditate on God’s characteristics in order to have peace.
Walk-in PEACE, not PIECES!
Change the nature in which you approach things. Change your response. Your attitude, your tone, and your behavior change according to God’s Word.
Don’t allow yourself to be broken trying to fix broken situations, equip yourself with PEACE in all situations, immediately!
Peace terrifies Satan! So go in Peace!
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:17-19
Questions To Consider: Ask yourself these questions and try to answer them to the best of your ability.
1. Do you have peace in your life?
2. In what areas of your life do you think you need peace? When wearing this armor, start there.
3. Do I bring forth peace to other people? Am I grounded in peace?
4. What is my response when I am in high-level terrain? What do I usually do?
5. Based on today's reading, what can I do to walk according to God’s word in peace?
6. Is my mind in Perfect Peace with God? Bring this up in your prayers to God.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27
Stay tuned for the next blog post!!!
WEEK 4:[THE WAR SERIES, DRESSED TO KILL]: Issued Uniform [Part 4]
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