Would a close examination of our lives reveal that we take seriously the reality of spiritual warfare in our day-to-day lives? Do we see the world—as A.W. Tozer puts it—as our playground to be enjoyed or as a battleground on which to fight? In the hour of temptation, can we draw on the Word of God to battle the enemy? Is our prayer life characterized by the intensity and urgency of one engaged in the issues of life and death? If we are honest, these questions expose the truth that we often don’t take seriously the battle we are in. Unlike the lives of many early believers, we are not well-acquainted with the elements of spiritual warfare. We are unfamiliar with the struggle against “spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Many years ago, a young Jim Elliott wrote,
I do not understand why I have never seen in America what missionaries write of—that sense of swords being drawn, the smell of war with demon powers. Corresponding is the unity among Christians on the mission field, forced by the onslaught of a very real foe. Satan is not real—though we talk much of belief in a ‘personal devil.’ As a result, our warfare takes on this sham-fight with shadows, a cold war of weary words. There is no shouting; rather, yawning. Laughter long ago stifled sobs in our assemblings together. Woe, woe, woe unto us. We have not submitted to sacrifice. We have not guessed the power of the calling to which God has called—its power to ruin and to revive, its strength to slay.
Over half a century later many believers, having become entangled with civilian affairs, have been rendered ineffective as soldiers. We are no longer in the battle; we are spectators on the sideline. Consequently, ill-accustomed to the armor of God, our Christian walk is not characterized by victory but defeat.
It is essential that we have a growing appreciation of our involvement in this battle that pits the forces of Satan against the host of heaven. But that alone will never defeat the enemy. Daily we need to equip ourselves with the “full armor of God.” And this armor stretches from head to toe. So in Ephesians 6, Paul enjoins us to have our feet covered “with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”
HAVING OUR FEET SHOD
It is notable that, in Paul’s description of the soldier’s equipment, it is the feet that are associated with the gospel. Is the Holy Spirit drawing our attention to Isaiah 52? Here God reveals the matters closest to His heart as He looks forward in time to the spiritual restoration of Israel. “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation.” God celebrates the very feet of the messenger entrusted with the good news of Israel’s bright future!
The implication in Ephesians 6 is that the believer has also been sent. Wherever the soldier’s feet take him, he has been entrusted with the message of good news concerning Christ. The Lord Himself would send us out, not take us out. Even in His high priestly prayer in John 17, aware that we would be venturing into enemy territory, He prayed for our protection: “I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.”
Regrettably, how often have we avoided entering into the battle by failing to confess Christ, by not taking a stand or sharing the gospel with perishing men and women. In 1 Samuel 17, while his fellow Israelites cowered in fear, David the shepherd boy displayed the heart of the true soldier. His eldest brother angrily rebuked young David for his youthful curiosity: “for you have come down in order to see the battle.” But Eliab was nowhere to be found as David ran to the battle line to meet Goliath. God is looking for men and women like David, unwilling to simply be spectators, eager to enter the battle and confront the enemy.
Paul, in the context of his letter to the Ephesians, makes several references to the subject of the Christian walk. Our ability to stand or walk depends on the condition of our feet. The solder engaged in man-to-man conflict must have his feet in order. In some sense, what a foundation is to a building, so are properly clad feet to a soldier.
Over the last few months we’ve watched our fifteen-month-old daughter make the transition from crawling to walking. Like many parents, my wife and I soon realized how helpful a well-fitted pair of shoes was. Proper shoes enabled her both to stand and to walk confidently. Similarly, in order to effectively battle, the believer’s feet need to be properly shod. But with what? “With the preparation of the gospel of peace.” What better foundation can there be than a thorough knowledge of the finished saving work of Christ in our lives? The believer whose feet are planted in a shaky understanding of the gospel becomes easy prey for the enemy. Many a person, having sincerely confessed Christ, goes on to live as if eternal life depended on his good efforts. Others are undermined because they continually question if they might lose their salvation.
I recall my first time as a junior counselor in a camp setting. Thankfully I was paired with a wise elder from my assembly. During that week we saw young men come to place their faith in Christ as Saviour. Aware that many of these infant Christians would be returning to homes where the name of Christ would not be honored, my senior counselor sat down with each of these young boys and walked them down the “Romans Road of Salvation” and equipped them with verses concerning eternal security. These verses are still highlighted in my Bible.
How imperative that mature Christians make the same investment in new believers. We should see this as a priority to ground every new believer in the teachings concerning their salvation.
THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
Now in Ephesians 6:15, Paul uses a rare expression—“the gospel of peace.” More commonly the New Testament writers speak of the gospel of Christ or the gospel of God. Paul in Romans speaks of the gospel of good things (Rom. 10:15) and writes to the Corinthians of the gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Cor. 4:4). But in Ephesians 6, in the context of spiritual warfare, the message we are to go forth with is the gospel of peace. What’s the connection?
The Scriptures tell us that before knowing Christ we were allied with the rest of humanity as sinners and at enmity with a holy God. But “being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). The world now sees us as defectors. However, we understand that we have crossed over to the winning side. But the battle is not over; it is just beginning, because God now enlists us in His army to take the terms of peace—the gospel—to the enemy. As ambassadors for Christ, we represent His interests to those still in opposition to Him: “we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20).
PREPARATION
We must be careful to never underestimate our enemy. Spiritual warfare is no place for over-confidence. The soldier goes forth fully-equipped but with a healthy respect for the opposition. “Let him who standeth, take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). In this regard, Paul refers to the preparation that should characterize the messenger. This preparation is two-fold. Firstly, He is prepared in that his life is a display of the truth of the gospel’s transforming power. He enjoys the confidence and calm assurance that comes from peace with God and therefore he can now enjoy peace with his fellow man. Secondly, he is prepared to share the gospel of peace. “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.”
How can we become prepared? By being willing to share the gospel. By praying for opportunities to do so, and for boldness and wisdom to speak up faithfully and graciously when the Lord provides us with those opportunities. By making certain beforehand that we have an accurate understanding of the gospel and can clearly express it to others. And by filling our hearts and minds with “the holy Scriptures, which are able to make [us] wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15).
Are we prepared? Were a unbelieving friend to ask us about our hope, could we give an answer? Let us go into battle following the example of our Captain who “preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh” (Eph. 2:17).