January 29, 2023
Ephesians 6:13-17
TOOLS of WAR Week 3
“Feet Fitted, Fire Foiled”
Service Overview: Good shoes protect your feet, help you dig in, keep your feet from slipping, and yet, are light enough to keep you agile. The gospel of peace is like that. It not only protects some important aspects of our souls, but helps us keep in step, and keeps us agile in navigate the various terrain we encounter in life. Shields are also vital in that they not only protect us from blows and projectiles, but allow us to put out the fire our enemy hurls our way.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Background Insights:
- The Roman legionaries wore heavy sandals . . . with soles made of several layers of leather averaging 2 centimeters (¾ inch) thick, studded with hollow-headed hobnails. They were tied by leather thongs half-way up the shin and were stuffed with wool or fur in the cold weather. (Harold Hoehner, Ephesians, 842)
- These shoes were ideal for fast-moving hand-to-hand combat. Like today’s football and soccer cleats, they were meant to give maximum footing and traction to prevent sliding. They were designed to function in any terrain and were adaptable to any climate. (Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights: Galatians & Ephesians, 369)
- With all the pieces of armor mentioned above, the soldier needed to also carry extra protection in the form of a shield. The image was taken from the Roman shield, a large oblong or oval piece, approximately four feet high by two feet wide, made of wood and leather, often with an iron frame. Sometimes the leather would be soaked in water to help extinguish flaming arrows. (Bruce Barton, Life Application Bible Commentary: Ephesians, 133)
- One of the strategic weapons of ancient warfare was the spear, and later the arrow. These were weapons able to inflict harm on the opponent while he was still at a distance. If used effectively, they would serve to reduce the force of an army before actual hand-to-hand conflict ensued. Unless there was something to protect the encroaching army against these airborne attacks, their numbers would be decimated easily. The shield was used for this very purpose. As the distance of battle closed, and the airborne weaponry was used, the soldier could defend himself by allowing the missile to strike the shield instead of the body. (Mark A. Holmes, Ephesians, Kindle Location 3545)
- Because the Greek and Roman god of passion (Eros and Cupid, respectively) was said to strike with flaming arrows, some of Paul’s readers may have thought specifically of the temptation of lust in this verse, although Paul probably intended the image to cover more than that danger. (Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, 296)
How does the gospel act as “shoes” in life’s battles?
1. By solidifying our footing against Satan via the peace we have with God.
(Is. 26:3; 52:7; John 16:33; Rom. 5:1; 10:15; Eph. 2:17; Phil. 4:7; Col. 3:15; 1 Thes. 5:8)
Our shoes of peace rest upon the relationship we have to the Person of peace. The Christian faith is not primarily a system of doctrines and dogmas believers follow, though it certainly includes rich doctrine. The Christian faith is primarily a relationship with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. “He himself is our peace.” (Mark I. Bubeck, Overcoming the Adversary, 89)
The Word of God is the gospel, or Good News, that brings peace. In other words, believers are ready for battle because “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard [their] hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 NKJV). (Bruce Barton, Life Application Bible Commentary: Ephesians, 133)
- By providing traction in advancing the gospel of peace with others.
(Is. 52:7; Mat. 5:9; Rom. 10:15; 12:18; 14:19; 2 Cor. 5:18–21; 13:11; Heb. 12:14; Ja. 3:18)
The good news of Jesus Christ gives us motive and message. It shods our feet to go and proclaim to those who know no good news. This, then, is the Enemy’s weapon against us. In his deception, he convinces humankind that there is no hope, no reason for rejoicing, no future to live for. But we do battle armed with the gospel. (Mark A. Holmes, Ephesians, Kindle Location 3535)
How does faith “shield” one in life’s battles?
- By intercepting and extinguishing the arrows of doubt lobbed against us.
(Ps. 18:30; Prov. 3:5-8; Is. 41:10; Jer. 29:11-13; Matthew 21:21; Mark 11:23; James 1:6)
Satan’s roarings convince believers that they are vulnerable instead of victorious, so they succumb to fear and doubt about their position of invincible strength through their union with Christ. (Mark I. Bubeck, Overcoming the Adversary, 66)
There are the fiery trials awaiting all of us in this life—illness, tragedies, maybe even persecution. Along with this, Satan’s emissaries will launch arrows of doubt about God’s goodness, the truth of the gospel, even his existence. But the shield of faith cools them again as we believe God’s Word: “‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11). From this we understand by faith that even the apparent tragedies we suffer will eventuate in our welfare. By faith we see the unseen. (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word: Ephesians, 262)
- By bolstering confidence in the One fighting for us.
(Joshua 1:9; Ps. 18:30; 28:7; 37:5; 56:3-4; 118:8; Prov. 30:5; John 12:31; 16:33; Rom. 16:20)
Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, March 18th)
Faith is the anti-work. It’s the realization that there is nothing you can do but trust in what has been done for you in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Faith is the realization that God’s pleasure in you will never be based upon your performance for Him. Instead, God’s pleasure in you will always be based upon Christ’s performance for you. (David Platt, Follow Me, 60)
Conclusion… How can these tools be deployed in a believer’s life today?
A. By standing on the peace you’ve been promised.
(John 16:33; Rom 8:6; Eph 2:17; Phil 4:7; Col 3:15; 1 Thes 5:8; 2 Thes 3:16)
God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, 50)
Satan may pressure us all he wants… But if we know that our peace with God is secure, then we won’t slip and fall. We’ll stand stable and firm against the devil’s taunts. Moreover, we’ll gain ground against his opposition so that we can spread the good news of peace with God through Christ to the troubled world around us. (Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights: Galatians & Ephesians, 369)
Any way of salvation that depends on something that we must contribute…can never bring assurance to us, for we can never be sure we have done enough to help. (Sinclair Ferguson, Assured by God, 100)
B. When in doubt, dig in, diligently seek, but ultimately trust.
(Deut. 4:29; Is. 12:2; Jer. 29:13; Mat. 7:7-12; Phil. 4:6-7; Heb. 11:1, 6; 1 John 5:4)
You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you. (C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed, 21)
Doubt is the “ants in the pants” of faith. (Martha Turner)
Faith is not an instinct. It certainly is not a feeling – feelings don’t help much when you’re in the lions’ den or hanging on a wooden Cross. Faith is not inferred from the happy way things work. It is an act of will, a choice, based on the unbreakable Word of a God who cannot lie, and who showed us what love and obedience and sacrifice mean, in the person of Jesus Christ. (Elisabeth Elliot, Secure in the Everlasting Arms, 94)
It is the office of faith to believe what we do not see, and it shall be the reward of faith to see what we do believe. (Thomas Adams, A Puritan Golden Treasury, 103)
Gospel Application…
Jesus died so that anyone who turns to him can not only have peace with God, but peace in facing all of life’s battles.
(John 3:16; 16:33; Rom. 5:1; 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:10; 5:17; Eph. 2:17; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 3:18)
When we are justified, a marvelous exchange takes place. At the moment saving faith comes, God takes our sins and imputes them to Christ’s account; they are seen as punished in Christ. At the same time, God also takes the righteousness of Christ and imputes His righteousness to our credit. (Mark I. Bubeck, Overcoming the Adversary, 75)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- What implications does the “gospel of peace” have when it comes to our peace with God? The peace of God? Peace with others?
- What does it mean to have peace with God? How then can the “gospel of peace” serve as a source of strength in our fight against Satan?
- Have you ever experienced a season of doubt in your walk with the Lord? What was it like? How did you overcome? What was most helpful to you in those times?
- What are some times/experiences that have served to bolster your faith in the past? How might you share those experiences with others in a way that might help encourage them in their faith?
Quotes to note…
Imputed righteousness means that when I am saved, God justifies me. God the Father puts the very righteousness of the Lord Jesus to my account; it is imputed to me, put upon me by God as a judicial act. God now looks at me as being clothed in His own righteousness. In (Mark I. Bubeck, Overcoming the Adversary, 75)
Faith…holds on to truth and reason from what it knows to be fact. (Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression – Its Causes and its Cures, 144)
Doubt is a by-product of faith, as faith moves us into realms beyond our own ability. (Mark A. Holmes, Ephesians, Kindle Location 3545)
Faith means total dependence on God and willingness to do his will. It is not something we put on for a show for others. It means believing in his promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet. (Bruce Barton, Life Application Bible Commentary: Ephesians, 133)
The Apostle John wrote, “And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4). Why? Because faith binds us in vital, deep union with God. Faith is not just belief; it is belief plus trust. It is resting in the person of God and his Word to us. (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word: Ephesians, 263)
Demanding sensational proof is not evidence of faith but of doubt. To long for the visible sign, the big miracle, the dramatic proof is nothing but masked unbelief. It is the farthest thing from faith. (John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Matthew 1-7, 94)
Faith is the way in which I can look away from myself – both from my sin and my progress in sanctification – and look to Christ as my only hope. (Robert Godfrey, “Sin and Salvation”, Tabletalk, April 2004, 18)
Faith is trusting God to do what he has promised because we are convinced by his provisions that God is both willing and able to keep His Word. (Scott Hafemann, The God of Promise and the Life of Faith, 84)
Faith is knowledge passing into conviction, and it is conviction passing into confidence. (John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied, 111)
Faith involves knowledge, assent, and trust. We must know the biblical facts concerning Jesus Christ; we must believe them to be true; and on that belief we must commit ourselves to Jesus in trusting reliance. (Richard Phillips, Assured by God, 79)
Through the apostle Paul, the Holy Spirit describes peace as the shoes of the soldier in warfare. No part of a soldier’s dress is more important than his shoes. Have you noticed that if your feet hurt, you hurt all over? A severe corn on the little toe or a troublesome bunion can hurt so much that you just can’t walk anymore, let alone fight. In spiritual battle likewise, if you are hurting, you are not going to be an effective soldier. (Mark I. Bubeck, Overcoming the Adversary, 84)
Thank you