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Ephesians 6:15 says, On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. The right footwear is very important when you go into battle. You need to be steady on your feet and be able to walk or run on rough terrain. You wouldn't go into battle wearing thongs or flip flops (depending on which part of the world you live).
The NIV says, with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. The Greek word for readiness translates as foundation. So this verse is saying the Good News about Jesus should be the foundation for your life and it will keep you steady. It will give you peace, joy, and hope in the face of difficult circumstances. Basing your life on anything else, such as money, success, happiness, is like wearing thongs or flip flops into battle. Ephesians 6:13 says, So put on God's armour now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground. God's spiritual armour helps us to stand firm to the very end. So, what is the armour of God?
Ephesians 6:14 says, So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate. Belt of truth - the basic truths of the faith hold everything else together. As a Christian, you need to know what you believe and why. These basic truths include things like:
Breastplate of righteousness - this is the righteousness that comes from God; forgiveness for sins because of the blood of Jesus. Because of this great gift, our lives should be characterised by holiness and integrity and everything that God approves of (think the fruit of the Spirit). Knowing who God says I am, affects everything I do and say. God's righteousness helps me to stand against the lies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11-12 says, Put on all the armour that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil's tricks. We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.
Whether you like it or not, if you are a Christian, you are in a spiritual battle. The Enduring Word Bible Commentary says, You are in a spiritual battle. If you are ignorant or ignore that fact, you probably aren’t winning the battle. The forces, authorities, rulers of darkness and powers refer to Satan, his army and the darkness of sin. Here's what the Bible says about these dark forces: Jesus is above these dark forces - Ephesians 1:19-21 I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven. There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. They can't separate us from the love of Jesus - Romans 8:38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future. Jesus defeated these powers at the cross - Colossians 2:15 There Christ defeated all powers and forces. Jesus will destroy these powers - 1 Corinthians 15:24 Then after Christ has destroyed all powers and forces, the end will come, and he will give the kingdom to God the Father. We don't have to fear these powers of darkness, but to win the battle we have to acknowledge it exists and put on the full armour of God. More on that in the next study. |
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