“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:14-15).
By the time the apostle Paul wrote the epistle to the Ephesians, he had spent up to five years in the presence of Roman soldiers. From Jerusalem to Caesarea to Rome, Paul—a prisoner of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:1; Philemon 1)—was near a Roman soldier daily.
Such familiarity was transformed into a powerful spiritual illustration in Ephesians 6 where the inspired apostle commands every Christian to take up the whole armor of God (v. 13) and then inventories the standard equipment issued to every member of Christ’s army (vv. 14-20). If attired as prescribed, the panoply of God ensures spiritual victory over the wicked one and his spiritual hosts.
A Roman soldier wore boots with nails in their soles. This enabled surer footing when marching to battle, attacking a foe’s stronghold, and withstanding an enemy’s assault. For a soldier’s march, attack, or defense to be successful, he must have prepared himself for victory.
Spiritual victory is not the result of “luck”. It is the result of careful, diligent, and vigilant preparation. Adequate preparation allows a soldier to be calm during conflict, focused on his duties and responsibilities instead of his fears.
The good news of spiritual victory in Christ provides peace when battling in life’s fiercest spiritual conflicts (Philippians 4:7). It also provides peace through spiritual conquest over the tempter (Luke 4:13).
To be dressed for spiritual success you must have your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
