How to Be Victorious in Spiritual Warfare – Part Three

Ephesians 6: 10 – 17

        In “Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien the character Frodo has a mithril coat that provides powerful protection. More than once it saves his life. In addition to providing protection it is light and lovely. Frodo’s coat is so valuable that it is worth all the wealth of the entire shire, the region where he lives. Frodo could never have made such a coat nor could he have purchased it. Someone else made it. He received it as a gift. So it is with the breastplate of righteousness.

        For a person to engage in spiritual warfare it is necessary to do so “having shod your faith with preparation of the gospel of peace (Vs. 15).  

        In Greek mythology Achilles had a foot problem. He had a body that could not be injured. As an infant he was dipped by his mother in the river Styx in an attempt to make him immortal. However, Thetis held her baby by the heel and that part of his body was not touched by the magic water.

        Achilles grew into a mighty warrior. He defeated his most fierce enemies at Troy, even the mighty Hector. No weapon could harm him. Paris, Prince of Troy, shot a poisoned arrow into the air. It struck Achilles in his one vulnerable spot, his heel, and killed him.

        Many Christians lose spiritual battles because they have a foot problem. Satan exploits their weakness.

        The type of sandal worn by a Roman soldier was known as a “caligula.” It was very much like our modern sandals with the exception that it had iron cleats not unlike a track shoe. It enabled the soldier to be sure-footed. The soldier could be on the offensive by moving quickly without fear of falling.

        Believers are to be on the offensive if we expect to win in our spiritual warfare. Our offense is “the gospel of peace.”

        To have your feet shod with the gospel of peace means to be ready to stand firm and fight Satan. It even means to move into enemy territory and take it for Jesus.

        Put on the combat boots of peace and wage peace. Fight the enemy, not one another. Satan loves to stir up disputes among God’s people. A dispute here, a little grudge there, a little gossip there and by his wiles Satan wins the victory.

        The shield of faith is essential (Vs. 16). Faith is our shield against the fiery darts of the devil. This depicts believers as under attack. Faith is our shield.

        The fiery darts are from “the wicked one.” This translates the Greek ”Ho Poneros” meaning a specific adversary, the devil.

        Satan fires flaming arrows of doubt, dispute, temptation, and confusion. Faith shields against all of Satan’s arrows. Faith is the ability to apply what we believe instantly in order to repel every doubt Satan attempts to use.