The Art of Spiritual Warfare
“More Boots on the Ground”
Ephesians 6:13-15
In 1914 the United States along with Britain and 14 other countries, went to war in what became known as WW1. At the end of this massive war, four years later over 65 million troops had been mobilized. When the fighting was over historian estimate that up to ten million men had lost their lives and another 20 million had been wounded. Many thought it would be over in a matter of a few months and most of those involved thought that it would bring world peace. In fact WW1 became known as the war to end all wars. But we now know different. Since that time we have of course seen WW2, the Korean War, Vietnam, and continuing war in the Gulf. It sometimes seems that we are only a few steps from war at any time. In fact, we would be hard pressed to name any period in history when some country has not been at war with another.
And it’s very similar in the Christian life. It is difficult to find peace because there’s always a battle, there is warfare, there’s conflict to deal with…now I have some good news and some bad news I want to give you this morning….let me give you the bad news first…it is always going to be this way…..in fact the Bible tells us that it is only going to get worse. As much war as we face, as much tribulation as we see, the Bible reminds us that there will be an even greater time of tribulation that will be much worse. And until we stand face to face with Jesus; until then there will always be war and there will always be warfare for you and me. But the good news is this…though there will always be warfare you and I as believers can still have peace. Even in the middle of the battle.
Now Paul has told us that in addition to prayer, in verse 14 we need to put on the belt of truth…also to out on the breastplate of righteousness; as he continues in this passage he also tells to get a shield, to put on a helmet and to get a sword. All of these provide protection… He adds one to the list today and he tells us that in order to do battle we MUST have the right kind of shoes. And if we do we will experience peace.
Peace can be something/a word that is difficult to define but one thing is for sure, when you have it, you know it. It can be described as a feeling…. A state of mind…it’s like being free. Peace is freedom. One definition outs it this way. Peace is a state of freedom from (a) storm or disturbance. A variety of words we can use to describe it but as I said you know when you have it. Now I want us to think for a moment about relationship of the boots/shoes to the armor. Now listen. Vv. 13-15.
Paul says start by putting on (1) the belt of truth, which is Christ then (2) put on the breastplate of righteousness then (3) make sure your feet are fit with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
So what is he saying???
• Do not, do not go into battle without your boots. Never go in barefoot.
• Do not attempt to do warfare if you do not have peace in your life---because you will lose.
• Until you put your boots non you are in no way prepared to do battle
• This peace that the boots give us is meant to be shared
Now Roman soldiers which is who Paul was writing to here… they wore sandals…they were referred to as hob nailed sandals. They were like a pair of cleats that athletes wear…. they were specifically designed to keep your feet securely in place. Years ago in an NBA playoff game a player named Kevin McHale—he is now the head coach for the Houston Rockets –incredible player---but years ago in a game he lost his shoe. They were short on time outs so instead of stopping the game, he tossed his shoe off the court and they continued playing. The other team immediately threw the ball to the man that McHale was guarding and the player made an easy basket. Why? Because he couldn’t keep up without his shoes. He lost his footing. Listen, if you don’t have peace in your life---you’ll never make it in a spiritual battle. You will lose your footing in life.
Now here’s the kind of shoes the soldiers wore…as I said they were hob nailed sandals. They had a thick base/sole; made of wood and leather and they had spikes in them to give them extra traction---to give them a solid foothold. So when he was in hand to hand combat he wouldn’t slip…he would be able to stand firm. (v. 13) This meant everything for the soldier.
Now let me share something with you that I just learned this week from the scripture…the word for armor is a combination—a fusion of 2 Greek words…
Pas hoplon
All armor
It is found in 2 places in the scripture. Here in Ephesians but also in Luke 11. There it is used by Jesus Himself. In a parable there Jesus is driving out a demon, The man had never been able to speak but when Jesus drove the demon out, suddenly the man was able to speak and of course everyone who was standing by watching…they were all amazed. But some of them said He was doing this by the power of Beelzebub/Satan.
Jesus knew their thoughts so he tells a parable in Luke 11:14-22. They were using poor logic. If a king fights against his own army the war is lost. A family feud hurts the whole family. They accused him of casting out demons in the name of Satan. Jesus is saying Satan wouldn’t do that …Satan would not use his power to cast out demons.
Then we move to vv. 21-22 which is a 2nd parable. A strong man might use the latest weapons of technology to guard his house, to make sure his possessions are kept safe. But the strong person always has one fear---someone stronger could attack and overpower him and take the armor away. Jesus has in mind here the total equipment—all of the armor Satan fights with—all of this to protect what he sees as his property---he is fighting to keep his property from being seized/taken. But get this…when a stronger power enters the battle, the devil’s armor is seized/taken and so are his possessions. Satan makes a constant attempt to be the ruler of your life---give him an INCH and he will become a RULER. And this battle between God and Satan continues to rage and if we attempt to fight this battle without our armor we will not win. You simply cannot go into battle without the peace of God and expect to have victory.
Now as a result that fact the shoes are not optional, they are a requirement for the armor. Here’s why…Luke 21:26 that in the last days men are going to be very fearful. (vv 25-26ff) As believers we cannot be like that---we can’t be walking around full of fear.----we are to have a ministry of peace to those around us who do not know Christ.
I want us to focus here for a moment and think about how we can do that. Paul says go with shoes that fit right, with a certain readiness; a certain preparation—always ready to SHARE the gospel of peace. Paul is actually quoting a portion of Isaiah 52:7…”how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings the good news of peace and salvation.
So what is it that keeps you from putting your boots on and sharing the gospel with someone?
1. For some it is apathy. We just don’t care. Maybe we used to, but we don’t now. That’s a sad place to be but there are those of us who have gotten there.
2. For others it is a lack of urgency. We think we will always have plenty of time. So we wait. We put it off. And all the while our friends and family, our nation are slipping further away from the Lord. We need to regain our sense of urgency. The vision statement we wrote when we started this church says this…our vision is to enlarge the size of heaven by taking as many people as possible with us. But it means nothing if we don’t carry it out. It means nothing if we don’t realize how urgent the need is.
3. For some, it is fear. A fear of sharing. Afraid we will use the wrong words. Fear we can’t quote scripture or fear we don’t know how to use the scripture. Fear we might offend someone.
• Let me ask you. When your kids were small, if your 2 year old ran out into the street---did you think, you know I don’t know if I should say anything, I don’t know if I need to warn him or not. He probably won’t ever do it again anyway.
• If your doctor tells you that you have cancer and if it’s not treated you’re not going to live. We don’t like that news but we better listen and do what he says.
• If your house is on fire and the firemen show up in the middle of the night—would you want them to wake you up or just let you sleep?
We would never do these things yet there are people everywhere ---all over this country, this area who are headed for an eternity without Jesus, an eternity in Hell and we have a fire extinguisher—we have the gospel of peace.
This is what I am asking you to do today.
1. Make a list, name by name of at least 5 people who you would like to see come to Christ. That’s a start.
2. Pray for their salvation every day. Pray that God will give you an opportunity to speak to them about Jesus.
3. Do something for them. Become better friends with them. Go to lunch. Share some coffee. Invite them over.
4. Share what Jesus has done for you. You can’t share someone else’s story. But you can share yours.
5. Make a commitment today. Our Presidents through the years have used a phrase when it was time to go to war and have said it is time to have more boots on the ground. Or if we are leaving an area they would say we need fewer boots on the ground. To win this battle for the souls of our friends and family it will take every one of us. All of us. Will you put your feet on the ground, take a step and come and get one of these to share with someone?
