Stand Firm (Part 2)

understanding of the basic beliefs of Faith will serve to protect you from Satanic attacks to

your faith. Know the Truth, Know what Christ has done for you, and you will Stand

Firm.

V. 15 Paul speaks to us about our Footwear. “...and with your feet fitted with the

readiness that comes from the gospel of peace..”

As you can imagine, in Pauls day what you wore on your feet made a big difference in

your everyday life, Why?

You had to walk everywhere you went. For the soldier, the footwear for an army could

mean the difference in winning or losing over the long haul.

Paul instructs us to be ready with the Gospel of Peace. Be ready to share your testimony

of God’s work in your life. One of the best ways to defeat the enemy is by telling others

about Jesus and what He has done in our lives. Your personal testimony is the most

effective way to share the Gospel of Peace with others. Paul says be ready. What would

you say to someone who asked you this week, “Why do you go to New Hope?”

I hope you would talk about how God has given you Peace, Forgiveness, and a Great

Church Family. Don’t talk about programs, potlucks, or your Preacher, Tell them about

Jesus! That’s what they really need to hear.

Will you make a consious effort this week to be Ready with the Gospel of Peace?

V. 16 “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all

the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

The large body shield usally measured about 4 foot high by 2 1/2 feet wide. Many of

Rome’s enemies used arrows dipped in pitch which would be set aflame and shot toward

the Roman soldiers. The shield would break the arrows force and cause them to fall

harmlessly to the ground.

Just as you would never go to battle without your shield, as a Christian, we cannot for one

moment afford to be without our Faith. Your Faith is what will keep you in the battle,

without Faith in God, we will lose.

Satan works especially hard to try and destroy your faith. I could probably talk to

everyone of you this morning, and you could tell me how Satan has been trying to destroy

your Faith lately. For some of you, it might be what’s went on in the last 2 weeks, he

would have you believe that God has somehow lost control of what’s going on, and

what’s the use. Don’t believe Satan’s lies.

Sometimes Satan will use people to try and destroy your faith. It could be someone trying

to convince you that Christianity is false, or it might be a Christian who has let you down

in some way, so your faith is wavering. Don’t stop believeing in God because of People.

People are not perfect, they will let you down, they will mislead you. God will never let

you down.

So today, Friend pick up your shield of Faith, always believe, no matter what things

look like, God is with us, He will give us the victory. Believe

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Heb.

11:1

V. 17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word

of God.”

The helmet made up of bronze and leather was of coarse designed to protect your head.