There are many types of shoes for different purposes. Some are for walking, others for specific sports activities. A soldier's shoes are another kind. They are shoes designed for warfare. A soldier who cannot advance on the battlefield is disabled in warfare.
"Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace" indicate a readiness to advance in the spiritual realm. These spiritual shoes protect your will from the temptation of the enemy who would lead you in wrong paths. They indicate your willingness to do every good work and to spread the Gospel to all nations. These spiritual shoes will also enable you to stand against the
enemy as Paul encourages you to do in Ephesians 6:14.
In the natural world, the shield was used to provide protection to the warrior's entire body. Your spiritual shield is called the "shield of faith."
There are several types of faith mentioned in the Bible. There is saving faith, the gift of faith, and the spiritual fruit of faith. But the word "faith" when used in relation to the "shield of faith" speaks of defensive faith. This faith is a firm trust and confidence in God which protects your whole being. It protects you from flaming missiles of doubt and unbelief sent by the enemy.
This shield of faith is a calm and confident trust in God which deflects all the fiery arrows of the enemy from their target. The shield of faith is the constant application of God's Word to the issues of life. It is a faith that enables you to overcome the evil forces of the world:
1 John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
Combined with love of God, faith is most effective:
1 Thessalonians 5:8 "putting on the breastplate of faith and love..."
It is faith based on truth:
Psalm 91:4 "He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
It is faith based on salvation:
Psalm 18:35 "Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great."
Without faith, you have no grasp of truth. Without faith you cannot receive salvation. Without faith you cannot go forth with the Gospel of peace. Without faith you cannot claim the righteousness of Christ and effectively use the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.
Faith is not an assumption or presumption. It is a fact based upon God's Word. You can increase your faith by hearing God's Word according to Romans 10:17, acting upon your present faith in Romans 1:17, and seeking God in Hebrews 12:2.
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