In Ephesians 6:10-18, the apostle Paul points out to the Christians at Ephesus, they are fighting a spiritual war. Therefore, it’s essential to equip themselves with a spiritual arsenal to “stand firm.” Paul highlights six components of the spiritual armor of God, each designed to prepare, protect, or play offense against the “schemes of the devil.”
Shodding our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace is one part of the full armor that includes two dimensions for Christians to understand.
The most understood dimension of this verse is about taking the gospel to others. In Romans 10:15, Paul writes, “But how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news of good things.” The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. The gospel brings others a message of peace, grace, and salvation. Satan doesn’t want any of those life-giving words to get to people.
As followers of Jesus, we must devote ourselves to learning and studying the Scriptures to walk in the peace that only the gospel can bring.
Shodding our feet with the preparation of the gospel makes us ready to live out the great commission. However, if we aren’t firm enough in the gospel in our own lives, I would suggest taking the gospel to others will be a challenge.
A second dimension of shodding our feet relates to being personally anchored in the gospel message. Just like a soldier puts on his armor and equips his feet with sturdy boots, we, too, must have our feet firmly planted in the gospel of peace.
I don’t know about you, but I never knew much about the word “shod” before studying Ephesians 6. The word means “to bind under one’s feet; to put on shoes.” However, when you do more work on the word, it is also used to describe shoeing horses. Horses’ feet are shod (or shoed) when they have weak foot structure or are involved in competition. I would suggest that we as Christians have a similar condition – we are weak in our footing as the ways of this world often draw us away from the ways of God.
In addition, as Paul notes in Ephesians chapter 6, we are fighting a spiritual battle. If we don’t stand on the firm ground of the gospel in our own lives, it will be tough to take the gospel of peace to others.
Is your relationship with Jesus the most important relationship in your life? Have you shared the gospel with someone recently? If you can’t answer a resounding YES to either of these questions, then you may not be on firm ground.
Anchor your life in the gospel by being in God’s word daily, praying frequently, and doing what the word says so you will be ready when opportunities come your way.
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