Peaceful Protection || Underneath the Armor || Week 3

We are in a six-week series that I’m calling: “Underneath the Armor.” We’ll look deeper at the armor of God shown in Ephesians 6:13-17. Each week, I will discuss a different armor piece, what it represents, and how the themes are shown throughout the Bible. I’ll break down the original Greek words Paul wrote so we can understand them as clearly as possible. Let’s begin by reading the Armor of God scripture and highlight what we will discuss today. It’s Ephesians 6:13-17, which says:

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so that you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 

14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of righteousness. 

15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 

16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 

17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

Shoes that are made of the peace that comes from the Good News are what we’ll discuss today. There’s a significant thing that I need to share about this. We’re not talking about shoes like you, and I know shoes. It’s our feet. It’s our bare feet that Paul says we need to cover. There’s no example of a shoe named in this passage like when we discussed the “belt of truth.” I find this interesting because the disciples and Jesus often walked around in sandals and open-toed shoes with little to no covering to protect them. Paul would have known this, and now he’s telling us to wear shoes of peace to be prepared for anything. We must assume it’s the spiritual warfare we’ve discussed before, but Paul doesn’t name that explicitly.

Paul wants us to be ready with these shoes. The Greek word for readiness/preparation (depending on the translation) is hetoimasia (het-oy-mas-ee’-ah), which means preparation. It comes from the Greek word hetoimos (het-oy’-mos), which means prepared. It’s the readiness to meet an opportunity and challenge at hand. It’s being ready because the necessary preparations are done. We must be ready to do what’s needed, which comes from wearing the shoes of peace. It’s a particular type of preparation, too. How do I know? The word that Paul uses in this passage is only used here. It’s important to recognize this because it shows that we must hone in on the context of what Paul is trying to say. 

The peace comes from the Gospel. The Greek word for Gospel is euaggelion (yoo-ang-ghel’-ee-on), which means good news. It’s God’s good news, which includes the entire Bible. It comes from the Greek word euaggelizó (yoo-ang-ghel-id’-zo), which means to announce good news. This word is a compound word. It’s broken down into these two parts: 

• eú = good
• angellō = announce/herald

The Gospel means to share the entire Gospel of Christ with the world. I can’t tell you how much this blew my mind. When I’ve heard the Gospel referenced, it’s only ever connected to the four Gospels or the New Testament. I’ve never heard it refer to the entire Bible. This concept isn’t even unique to Paul. This word appears 76 times in the New Testament, including in the Gospels. Paul wants us to wear the peace from the Bible’s good news. It can still refer to Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection. Still, now it leads me to believe that we’re to also share these things with an Old Testament perspective. We should share how the Old Testament leads to Jesus through the different stories, patterns, wordplays, prophecies, and more. Understanding this has been mind-blowing and is still something I’m wrestling with today. 

We must be prepared to do what’s needed through the peace that comes from the Bible. Peace is the Greek word eiréné (i-ray’-nay), which means one, peace, quietness, or rest. It comes from the Greek word eirō, which means to join or tie together into a whole. Peace is when all essential parts are joined together. 

We must be enveloped in the wholeness that comes from the Bible at a moment’s notice. This definition is what we’ll be working with all throughout this blog. It’s a confusing definition, for sure. At least, I’m confused, but the Bible will clear it up. John 14:27 specifies what Jesus’s peace represents: 

27 “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

The peace that Jesus gives is something that the world cannot provide. We have no grasp of what that peace can look like other than what Scripture teaches us. Jesus’ peace doesn’t cause us to be troubled or afraid. Let me say it this way: Jesus’ peace causes us to be calm and confident. We often hear what things aren’t, and I wanted to share what it is. 

This aligns with the understanding of peace we developed. To remind you, we said we must be enveloped in the wholeness that comes from the Bible at a moment’s notice. If this is what Paul wants us to wear when facing life’s adversities, being calm and confident will help this work. With the peace of Jesus, there is nothing to fear currently or in the future. We are enveloping ourselves in the calmness and confidence in Christ when anxious situations creep up. 

Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and despair are constantly vying for our attention inside of us. The peace of God keeps these forces at bay. It calms them down and allows confidence to reign supreme in our conflict. When we’re calm, we’re more clear-headed, which allows us to make decisions easier, which leads to improved confidence. 

Why is the peace of Jesus important? John 16:33 gives us an important reason: 

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

The peace of Jesus is important because it’s the key to overcoming our struggles. Jesus has overcome the world and all the opposing spiritual forces that consistently impact us. If we can remember this, the peace of Christ is found in the most chaotic times. It’s been a massive reminder lately as I’ve wrestled with rejections or no callbacks from potential jobs. I often go into the “No one wants me” mindset, which helps nothing. Instead, I remember that Jesus overcomes this battle by reminding me that I am important, I have value, and God is working in me and the world to prepare me for the place he wants me to be. With this, I can rest easier, share my gratitude, and lean on my faith that the right job is coming. 

As I share this, the phrase “take heart” sparked intrigue. It’s the Greek word tharseó (thar-seh’-o), which means to be of good courage. It means to be bolstered within which supports unflinching courage or to radiate warm confidence. For believers, it refers to God infusing his strength in us through faith. Jesus is, in essence, saying: “Have faith!” Stay strong! Be confident! Have courage! Jesus has overcome the world. Jesus has overcome all the struggles we face. Through Jesus, we can overcome everything through faith. It’s uncomfortable and nerve-wracking if we’re not used to it, but leaning on it strengthens it. The more we lean on it, the more it gets stronger, and the more it gets easier to lean on again. 

This peace is created for all people. It wasn’t just for the Israelites or the Jewish Christians, but for all people who believe. It says this in Acts 10:35-36: 

35 In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. 

36 This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel – that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

He accepts those who fear him and does what is right. It doesn’t sound peaceful. Why would I feel at peace with someone I’m afraid of? Remember, fear doesn’t equate to being afraid. In this context, fear equates to having a healthy respect for someone. It’s a reminder that God is powerful and can do mighty things and that we shouldn’t push him to the point where that happens. It’s not a common way we understand fear, but God’s ways are higher than ours. God wants us to look at fearing him as loving him.

Now, I know there’s discomfort when fearing God because of how we understand fear. It’s because of this that some people stay in abusive relationships. Note that God doesn’t stand for fear due to abuse. God’s message is one of love, and we need to take the “fear of the Lord” concept and view it through his lens of love. When we do, we get closer to understanding how God works and, more specifically, how his peace works. 

Romans 5:1 says this: 

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 

Because we’ve been made right in God’s eyes by faith, we have peace with God. Yet, there’s a word that brings about a lot of questions for me: “Therefore.” I understand how this word is used because it sums up a point being made. If A, B, and C are true, therefore Subject D is true. So, why is Paul saying “therefore” there for?

Romans 4 talks about the faith of Abraham. Through this chapter, let me share with you the story of Abraham. 

Abraham was the human founder of the Jewish nation. It left him much to boast about, but he never did that. It wasn’t God’s way for him to act. Scripture states, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith. (Genesis 15:6).” Paul proposed this question to the Roman audience in verse 9: “Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles?” The blessing refers to the forgiveness of sinners by faith. Using the example of Abraham, Paul said God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised. (You’ll see me use circumcision for the rest of this discussion on Romans 4. To clarify: circumcised = Jewish Christian; uncircumstanced = Gentile.) Because of the ritual of circumcision, Abraham became the spiritual father of those who believed but weren’t circumcised, and vice versa. This leads to the understanding that God’s promise to Abraham wasn’t based on obeying the law but on a faithful relationship with God. This means that anyone who believes in the gift of salvation that God freely gives will have their sins forgiven. Abraham’s faith led to the next lineage of Jesus’ line through the birth of Isaac. His faith waivered, but it didn’t fail. The relationship example between Abraham and God shows us how our relationship with God can and should look. 

So, what does all that mean for us? It means we can live peacefully through faith, like Abraham with God. It doesn’t always include feeling calm and tranquil, though. Abraham had many stressful moments; some were self-induced, and some were brought to him. It’s believing those moments that God’s got what we’re dealing with. We have been made right with God, sharing that our sins don’t define us anymore because they were forgiven. 

This could only have happened because Jesus was sacrificed on the cross. Jesus paid the price for our sins and removed all blockades that kept us from going to God directly. Even in our greatest hardships, we can have God’s peace because of our courage and confidence in God’s promises. Remember to take heart! (This is a vital example of that phrase taking root.)

Ephesians 2:17-18 says this: 

17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 

18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. 

The Jewish Christians were near to God already through the teachings of the Scriptures and the acts of worship in their religious ceremonies. The Gentiles were far from God because of how little they knew about him if they knew anything. Because neither group could be saved by works, knowledge, or sincerity, both needed to hear about salvation through Jesus Christ. Both Jews and Gentiles are free to come to God through Jesus. Imagine the peace that they would feel knowing this. Before, there would be a bunch of rituals and rules that would allow someone to interact with God. Now, none of that is needed. It’s hard to imagine what that is like because we never knew the Old Testament system. At least I didn’t. It makes it harder to connect with the Old Testament ritual system and makes it offputting to think how this could work in today’s culture. It makes it uncomfortable to try and apply the Old Testament laws to our current Testament times, but that’s why Jesus came to fulfill the show and show us what that looks like. It looks like love and peace in a far better way than we could ever show it. 

Philippians 4:7 talks about how great God’s peace is. 

7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 

Sounds like what we talked about last week, doesn’t it? Again, Paul writes particular words, like “Then.” What must we do to receive this peace? We must do what Philippians 4:6 says: 

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 

If we pray about everything, we will experience God’s peace. This sounds like a good deal. This peace will guard our hearts and minds (emotions and actions) as we live in Jesus. It’s not just about positive thinking, having no conflict, or just feeling good. It’s about trusting God with all you have, good or bad, and having the courage and confidence that God will provide. We may have positive results, good feelings, and minimal conflict because of this, but these things are side-effects of what God’s peace can provide. God’s peace comes from trusting God to work everything out in the best way for you. It may not be what you want, but it means what you wanted wasn’t best for you in these situations. It may not happen quickly, but God had to have you wait for it to come out just right in these situations.

We must set aside our control and allow God to protect us from our anxieties. Trust God and allow him to give you a peaceful perspective during difficult circumstances. 

Isaiah 26:3 says this: 

3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

We will always have a problem, but nothing can distract us from God. It’s in these moments that we can experience his perfect peace. We become steady and stable as we hold on to his teachings and apply them to our situation. We’re becoming more courageous and confident in who we are as a child of God and a follower of Christ. With God’s love and power, we cannot be shaken by the chaos surrounding us. 

What do I want you to walk away with?

• The spiritual warfare will make you think sharing the Gospel is worthless and hopeless. 
• Yet, God envelops us with courage and confidence to get out and continue proclaiming the true peace available to all. 

Thank you for joining me this week in learning about the shoes of peace from the Bible. Next week, we’ll break down the shield of faith. Until then, stay blessed.