Boots

The first century warrior wore a sandal/boot with spikes that held you in place. This is a modern recreation of those boots.

This is a continuation of the previous blogs, Masks, Armor, Shields. Please read them first for context.

The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the ^[a]wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of ^[b]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

When Paul was talking about the armor of God the people, they knew what he was talking about. In the environment they lived in being mobile, and able to both attack with speed and dodge the enemy was important. The Roman shield and short sword were best delt with by being mobile or having a long spear. But he also knew that the best outcome was peace. The modern day saying of, “peace through superior fire power,” was what he was talking about. Here is proof, the shoes of the infantryman which Paul is speaking of had spikes in the bottom. This made it so you can’t go backwards. Is Paul saying once you have heard and share the gospel, you can’t go back?

When God revealed this series of writings to me after realizing I was wearing a Christian mask rather than really being one, I saw a scene unfold before me. I was on a battlefield and the battle was in front of me. I was disarmed, essentially naked watching the enemy advance towards me. Then the armor of God was in front of me. Pick up the shield He says put your back to it and get your armor on. Since then, He has been showing me the order.

Only God could say, turn your back on the battle and have it make perfect sense. Then tell you to put on shoes that make it impossible to go backwards. As soon as I turn around and plant my feet there is only one direction to go. Look at this sentence, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Here I am preparing for battle, my superior weaponry is the Gospel of Peace. When the battle unfolds will the people of God fight by sharing the Words of Jesus? Does this cause the enemy to get dissolved by the Word of God? Afterwards will He call His people the Heros because in the face of the enemy we kept the faith and shared the Word? Wouldn’t be the first time.

1 Samuel 17:47: “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” If I just agree and follow His direction and prepare myself, I will have a front seat in what God does next. Here is more proof.

In Exodus God tells Moses basically, stand still, be quiet and watch what I do.

Exodus 14:13-14

13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation^[b] of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold^[c] your peace.”

We all know what happens, but Moses had simple instructions to follow. Abraham had equipped Moses with the one thing he really needed by being faithful. A shield. God was required by His own words to fight for Moses because he had faith. Now I have the same shield and I’m being ordered to get dressed, shut up and watch. I am to prepare to deliver the Gospel of peace to a hostile world. When I do the shoes, these words will be delivered in can only go one direction. Forward.

Abraham, Moses, David, the Prophets their wives, children, and followers were all ordinary men and women like us. Faith activated the protection of God; He is required to aid those that are spreading His name. Join me, take a small step in faith and watch Him run in to give you more. It’s not an accident He showed me first you need a shield, then the Words of Jesus.