Shoes and Shield. Ephesians 6:15-16. “And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” The shoes are securely bound around the feet of those who come with the life of God in the Gospel to those dead in their sins. The news is truly good; it delivers the message that life can indeed be abundant for those who recognize their soul’s deep need. The Gospel message comes from those whose calling from God is to speak the truth in His name. Wherever they walk as they advance, their “beautiful feet” are protected by the shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. The message of peace is the truth to be shared with others. We must personally embrace it, walk with it in shoes shod with the Gospel of peace, and clearly showcase God’s mercy and grace. The life of the Gospel is lived out through faith.
The shield of faith we take helps us stand firm in our position as we use its cover to quench fiery darts aimed at the saints, so they do not grow faint in their hearts. The shield of faith signifies fidelity to God and His Word from me personally. It shows my complete trust in the Lord. “Living by faith” is the Christian’s motto. It’s not just what we say that defines faith; it includes observable evidence in our lives that others see and is consistently practiced by those with faith.
So, the shield of faith is held with boldness of heart, which is a full belief, not half-hearted. The actions of faith make us willing to stand firm, knowing our Savior alone keeps us safe in His hand lest the subtle attempts of the devil get through, and we let our guard down and yield to the foe. Faith stands firm and guards the body of truth. Our feet then are solid on the Gospel of peace. Even though war rages around us and deceit comes, with Spirit-powered faith, we will move right on through to victory.