The Armour of God - Shoes of Peace

Eph 6:15

Some also use the term  "Battle Shoes" to identify the "readiness" so we are ready to fully engage our faith when putting the battle shoes on.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"  Hosea 4:6

Its time to put on the third piece of Armour: Your Spiritual Shoes of Peace

What do shoes do?    They protect our feet, they become comfortable with wear, they give us better footing, with them we can walk or run longer distances than if we had bare feet. The spiritual footwear that comes from the "Gospel of Peace" gives us the firm-footed stability, promptness and readiness we'll need to face our agile adversaries.  The term "Gospel of Peace" refers to the peace we have with God through Jesus.
Romans 5:1-2 NIV, Isaiah 53:5, Colossians 1:20,Ephesians 2:13-22) 

Everyday before you get out of bed, the first thing you need to do is put on your Spiritual Shoes.  This is what God gives you so you can 'stand' grounded in God's knowledge, truth and unchanging character.
Remember God's promise "For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave or forsake you' ".  This means God will not leave you to fight these demons; He is here to help you fight and win!  He also wishes you to use those shoes to move you forward in sharing His Word with others - to become His disciple.

Since we have gained access to God through this peace, we can use his resources to fight the spiritual battles we face.  Therefore, the gospel of peace extends our "battlefield endurance" by connecting us with God's protection, support, guidance and comfort at all times through the Holy Spirit.  

Putting on the Battle Shoes

• Speak It:  Even though our faith in Jesus secures our peace with God, we often don't feel that peace.  It may even seem like God is not with us.  In such times it is helpful to remember that we put the whole Armour of God on by faith.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).  We can't see our peace with God, but we believe we have it because God's word says we have it.  When we confess that we are putting on the battle shoes (and the rest of the armor), we are speaking them on in faith.  
• Learn God's word:  The Bible is the reference book for the Gospel of Peace.  By studying the Bible and even memorizing key scripture passages, you will establish a foundation in the Gospel of Peace.  You will be less likely to slip off God's path of truth.  You will be firmly standing in good shoes! The psalmist declared in Psalm 119:165 NKJV, "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble."
• Don't be anxious about anything. Take all your needs and concerns to God in prayer: The devil will try to steal our peace, using the cares of the world, the desire for riches, fear and any other tool to get our minds off of God.  If we give in and begin to worry and get anxious about things, we'll lose the protection that comes with God's peace.  Paul wrote:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in  everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your  requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"  (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

Anxious? Gain peace by gaining confidence; gain confidence by reading God's Word; by reading God's word we draw nearer to Him; giving us more understanding and confidence.

When you put on your Spiritual Shoes and you stand for what you believe in, The Lord will stand right by your side helping you fight every spiritual battle that comes your way.  The key to standing is knowing the truths of the Bible - Open your Bible and read it everyday!

With all of our technology, devices, libraries, there is no excuse to not reading your Bible everyday.  When those fiery darts of demons come your way, stand firm in your Spiritual Shoes of Peace - God is standing with you!

Still unsure on how can you can put on our Armour when so many things seem to be against you?  To quote a famous saying from the '90s, "Just Do It!"  God is the one who can and will outfit us in His Spiritual Armour; we need to embrace it, encourage it and yes - share it.  Now and Today, not in the ever-tempting tomorrow.



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1. Read Ephesians 6:15 - What does this say to you in your life now?
2. Challenge - spend 15 - 30 minutes everyday reading your Bible. Don't know where to start? Just open it!
3. Here is a prayer/declaration for today's lesson:   
   "I shod my feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.  I have peace with God through my faith in Jesus and have access to God.  I have his resources at my disposal for the battles I may face today.  Father, please guide my footsteps and secure me on your path of righteousness today. Thank you, Father!"  
4. Is there anything in your life making you anxious right now?  Before you get out of bed in the morning pray for God to reinforce your Shoes of Peace, to help relieve and be rid of any anxious darts the demons are firing at you. 
5. How are prepared to face each day personally + professionally?  Are you stepping out boldly and purposefully?

Study 1 -  Armour of God - Belt of Truth
Study 2 - Armour of God - Breastplate of Righteousness


source 1 - http://keepingitpersonal.com/2014/03/shoes-of-peace/
source 2 - http://ca.100huntley.com/video.php?id=fAyQ1cYim_I
Source 3 - Book; Christians & Demons: Armed and Anchored for Spiritual Warfare by Dr. Jerry Johnston

Armour of God - Breastplate of Righteousness

Eph 6:14

Last week we learned about The Belt of Truth and how satan is the deceiver. We forget to seek the truth and we are tempted too easily in today's culture. If you missed last weeks study, you can find it here: http://creativeblogforcanadianmoms.blogspot.ca/2014/08/armour-of-god-belt-of-truth.html

Tonight we learn about Gods second piece of armour. The Breastplate of Righteousness.  The dictionary defines Righteous as

righteous  (ˈraɪtʃəs)
— adj
1.	a. characterized by, proceeding from, or in accordance with acceptedstandards of morality, justice, or uprightness; virtuous: a righteousman
	b. ( as collective noun ; preceded by the ): the righteous
2.	morally justifiable or right, esp from one's own point of view:righteous indignation

Why is the Armour of God so important?  We must wage war against "principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" Eph 6:12

In today's culture we feel the need to be careful that righteousness does not come across as conceit or self-importance. God wants us to wear The Breastplate of Righteousness as part of our armour to deflect Satan's fiery darts. Just what is it for and how do we wear it and why do we need it is why we're here tonight.

Armour of God - Belt of Truth

Eph 6:14

Prayer

Jesus prayed for us, "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one"  John 17:15

There are 6 key pieces to The Armour of God:

1. The Helmet of Salvation
2. The Breastplate of Righteousness
3. Sword of The Spirit
4. Belt of Truth
5. Shield of Faith
6. Sandals of Readiness and Peace

Do you know that the Lord wishes to put on our armor for us?  God wishes us to be ready to receive them – but he wishes to outfit us.

   Today I would like to share about the first piece of our spiritual armour. The Belt of Truth.  God knows that with this alone,  truth helps us to deal with every battle that comes our way, and it can actually help avoid battles — or even better, end them before they start.  Most battles are the consequences of lies and confusion, or rumors unchecked, or of fears that aren't truth. (Demons using gossip and bullies are great examples)

One of Satans most successful plans is when we're deceived by lies.  To counter this deceiver, we must find ways to discover truth, to accept the truth and to share that truth.  How can we do this?  

1. -We use the Bible as a mirror, pray regularly asking God to search us.
2. -We ask God what’s going on in our homes, work, mind, our hearts.
3. -We ask God, search me and know me, and help me to know my self.
4. -We ask God to heal the blindness of our eyes, so we are not deceived.

Jesus confronted the religious leaders of his day,
     "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of  your father you want to do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."

John 8:44

John discerned, "We know that we are of a God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one".   1 John 5:19

In today's culture it is becoming more and more acceptable for the little sins to slip by. As we do this we are slowly accepting the larger ones too. It's too easy for us to say a little white lie to help someone out or to cover a co-workers butt to their spouse or your boss. But what if it later was found out that the same person was stealing? Would you talk to them about the office supplies they took home or the personal phone calls they were making during office time? Or would you not say anything unless it was more serious?

   What about putting yourself in this little situation?  It's easy to overlook the little things but they can quickly snowball into a serious situation. Unhappy at work? Do you go to your boss and tell the truth? Or did you take a ream of paper, or play solitaire when you should've been working because you felt it was owed you?


The Belt of Truth is for us to recognize just how those fiery darts can distract us and that even small temptations can lead to sin. We must practice acting in truth as well as speaking it.

I have noticed that talking about spiritual warfare can be confusing and intimidating to some but if we don't start accepting Gods Armour and letting him put it on us, we as a culture, will not be in the future. We must be participants and encourage others to wear the Armour too.

Peter says we should not be surprised at the "fiery trials" or the "something strange feelings". God is testing us so that "He may know all" that is in our hearts.  1 Peter 4:12, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 chronicles 32:31

Applying truth to any situation sets us free! Jesus used truth when satan tempted Him and set the example for us in using this weapon.  He stood firm in the truth and applied God’s Word to each temptation… thus the battle was won.