1. Ephesians 6:15 “And your feet shod with the preparation of
the gospel of Peace.” Paul is speaking in military terms.
2. Peace is an awesome weapon both defensively and
offensively. Peace not only protects you but it also provides
you with a brutal weapon to crush the enemy under your feet.
3. The Greek word shod means under and to bind. The word
actually means binding something on the bottom of ones feet
very tightly.
4. Thus we must firmly tie peace around our lives binding it
around our minds and emotions so our peace isn’t just
attached loosely.
5. Paul’s use of the word preparation means for us to be in
readiness or preparation. The word preparation conveys the
idea tightly laced boots that gave Roman soldiers firmness or
a solid foundation. Paul is further conveying that peace in our
lives is foundational to a firm footing.
6. Aggressive peace in our lives puts us in a position to face the
adversary or challenge without fear or intimidation.
7. Further Pauls uses the Greek word for peace that conveys the
idea of a peace that is so strong that its conquering force will
be very powerful against the chaos experienced by a person.
8. When this kind of peace is firmly fixed in your mind and
emotions, there is little the devil can do to move you. Also
examine yourself to make sure you haven’t violated scripture
and left the door open for demonic attack.
9. There are two kinds of peace. First there is the (Defensive
Peace) that is the peace with God that comes with the
salvation experience. As Paul said, “And, having made peace
through the blood of his cross…you that were sometimes
alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now
hath he reconciled” Col.1:20-21.
10. Second there is the (Offensive Peace) that is the peace of
God. Instead of being dominated by this prevailing,
conquering peace that surpasses natural understanding,
some believers walk in constant fretfulness, anxiety, worry and
all kinds of other turmoil because of the lack the peace of
God.
11. The peace of God is more than just protective peace. It is
meant to aggressively protect you from fretfulness, anxiety,
worry, and everything else the devil might try to use against
your heart and mind, will, & emotions.
12. Colossians 3:15 Paul says, “And let the peace of God “rule” in
your hearts”. The Greek word rule their meant in the ancient
world an umpire or referee who judged the athletic games in
the ancient world. Let peace rule or call the shots in your
emotions rather than ride an emotional roller coaster.
13. Peace in relationship to a Roman soldier’s feet as a defensive
weapon is illustrated by the metal protective armor called the
“greave” started at the top of the knee and extended down to
the top of the feet. As an offensive weapon the bottom and
sides of the soldiers boots had sharp cleats and sharp spikes
protruding to offensively attack the adversary.
14. Likewise believers must be shod with (Offensive Peace) as
protection against the onslaught of the devil and the
challenges of life that emotionally bruise & batter us. Of
course it is the preparation of the gospel’s peace that makes
the believers feet so lethal as a weapon against the demonic
roaming the Earth.
15. Offensive Peace: Romans 16:20, Paul said, “ And the God
of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly…. In the
Greek the word bruise here is historically used to denote the
act of smashing and utterly crushing grapes into wine and it
also means snapping, breaking and crushing bones beyond
recognition.
16. Romans 16:20 teaches us that Satan’s only rightful position
is under our feet, completely subdued. And it is the God of
peace helping bruise Satan under your feet.
17. And what does shortly mean? Roman soldiers took very
hard, short, heavy steps and when they marched in
formation.
18. The clapping of the soldiers shoes upon the pavement served
as a warning to the community. If an old woman or little child
was in the soldiers path they got crushed.
19. This is a very graphic explanation that Paul gives us as to
how we are to crush the enemy under our feet. If he gets in
our way we don’t politely ask him to move we just keep
marching with short heavy step with our feet shod with the
gospel of peace which is the word of God.
20. As you move forward in faith, do as much damage to the
enemy as possible. Remember the Roman soldiers had
sharp cleats on the bottom of their shoes and spikes
protruding from the sides to trample the enemy. Trample the
enemy with the word of God. He is already under your feet.