A Call to Action for Spiritual Warfare: Being Equipped with the Armor of God [Part 2]

Engaging in and achieving victory in spiritual warfare is essential for every believer, and the good news is that God has equipped us with an armor designed for guaranteed victory. In Part 1, I explained the significance and use of the Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness.

The Belt of Truth, when firmly fastened, helps us combat lies and false narratives that aim to deceive and confuse us. It keeps us grounded in the truth of God’s Word, allowing us to effectively counter every plan the enemy throws our way. The Breastplate of Righteousness acts as an impenetrable layer of protection for our hearts, keeping us covered under the righteousness of God. It guards our emotions, thoughts, and desires, ensuring that our hearts remain firmly in His hands.

Now, in Part 2 I will explore two more critical pieces of this armor: the Feet Shod with the Gospel of Peace and the Shield of Faith.

Believers, let me reinforce that this is a call to action! We’re not just putting on a piece or two of the armor - we are called to wear the full armor of God. Why? Because this armor equips us to recognize deception, nullify disruptions in our lives, defeat the enemy, and avoid spiritual defeat.

The Armor of God

Feet Shod with the Gospel of Peace: Ephesians 6:15, Romans 10:15, John 14:27

Natural Use

• Feet made for walking.

• Feet support the body, movement from one place to the next

• Allows for running, jumping, trampling, climbing.

• Footwear must fit properly, be of good quality, protect the feet, and importantly be appropriate for the activity in which the feet will be engaged.

In Spiritual Warfare

When heading into battle, it is important to be fitted with the right footwear. Imagine trying to fight with shoes that are too tight, uncomfortable, or just not made for the rough terrain ahead. You wouldn’t last long. The same goes for spiritual warfare. As we advance into enemy territory, we need to be equipped with the right "shoes" - and in this case, those shoes are the peace of God brought forth in the gospel.

Psalm 18:37-42 paints a picture of trampling down wickedness, and to do that, we need to be surefooted. God doesn't want us weighed down by worry, doubt, anxiety, or stress. Instead, He equips us with peace - the type of peace that allows us to stand firm in the face of adversity and danger (Psalm 18:33, Habakkuk 3:19).

In Ephesians 6:15, Paul talks about having our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. This means we’re not just equipped to stand our ground but to move forward confidently - claiming souls for the Lord Jesus. Knowing we’re secure in our salvation gives us the peace we need to march forward, even when the battle gets tough. In short, when we’re grounded in the peace of God, we can step into any situation with confidence, knowing we’re equipped and ready for whatever comes our way.

When we receive salvation, we also receive a deep sense of peace, knowing that our sins are forgiven and that we have been made right with God. It’s a peace that comes from understanding that, through the Holy Spirit, we now have the power to overcome the enemy’s attacks - thereby nullifying the attempts to disturb our peace and shake our faith (Romans 5:1-2).

Spiritual warfare can show up in many different ways, and one of the most common is when the enemy tries to make us doubt our salvation. He wants us to question whether we are truly saved, trying to rob us of the peace that comes from our relationship with Christ. If we let those doubts take root and stop moving forward in faith, we can lose that peace, becoming hesitant to share our salvation experience with others.

But here's the good news, as believers, we have the authority to overcome those attacks. Through the power of God, we can crush the devil under our feet, bringing peace back into any situation we face (Romans 16:20). With this confidence, we can stand firm, knowing that nothing can take away the salvation and peace we have in Christ.

When we spread the gospel, we’re not just sharing good news - we’re bringing peace to others. This is a key part of spiritual warfare because the devil’s goal is to keep people from finding that peace by blinding their hearts and minds to the truth (2 Corinthians 4:4). Our fight isn’t against flesh and blood, but against the strongholds of negative, harmful thoughts that keep people bound. We encounter those who are oppressed, even possessed by demonic forces, rebellious attitudes, and ungodly behavior.

However, Isaiah 52:7 paints a beautiful picture of this: "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" We are those messengers of peace, bringing the hope of salvation to a world in need, and in doing so, we’re engaging in a spiritual battle to set people free.

Being fitted with the gospel of peace means we can boldly share the good news of Jesus Christ without fear. It’s about stepping out in faith, ready to witness to others about what Jesus has done - His life, His death, and His resurrection. Imagine the peace that comes to someone who’s struggling, and then hears a word of truth or has someone interceding for them in prayer. It brings calm to a troubled mind or a difficult situation, just as Isaiah 52:8-10 speaks of the joy and peace that comes when good news is delivered.

As believers, we can't forget that spiritual warfare is real. It’s no joke. And just like a soldier needs the right footwear for battle, we need to be prepared with our spiritual “shoes.” These shoes, representing the gospel of peace, need to be in good condition. Think about it: are your spiritual “laces” tied? Is your foundation sturdy? Does it fit well?

These little details symbolize the distractions that can lead to anxiety, doubt, a loss of confidence, and even fear. Therefore, when our spiritual footing is secure - when we’re standing firm in the peace that comes from the gospel -we’re ready to face whatever comes our way. We can stomp out distractions and establish peace, knowing that we carry the good news of Jesus with us. So, let’s make sure we’re fitted and ready, fully equipped to walk in peace and share it with others!

Practical Application – Putting on the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

• Be intentional in fostering peace in every situation – give no place to anger and wrath because in so doing you provide an opportunity for the enemy to defeat you and disrupt your peace (Ephesians 4:26-27; Romans 12:18; Proverb 15:1-2).

• Rely on God’s control in all circumstances – when we rely on ourselves or others, then we are not trusting in God’s sovereign power to bring peace to all circumstances (Isaiah 26:3; Hebrew 13:20-21; Colossians 1:17).

• Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you – success in warfare means that your actions are in line with the will of God through His word and that gives you the peace of knowing that your actions are guided by God (Romans 8:6)

• Equip yourself with the knowledge of the gospel – for in so doing you will be able to confidently share the good news of salvation (1 Peter 3:15; 2 Timothy 4:2; Mark 15:15)

• Speak the word of God and release peace over yourself and others – this will provide stability for you in anxious and fearful moments (Philippians 4:7, St Luke 10:5-6).

Having the Shield of Faith: Ephesians 6:16, Hebrews 11:1, 1 Peter 5:8-9

Natural Use

• Provides an extra lay of protection.

• Used to intercept specific types of weapons – spears, darts, knives.

• Having a shield is a sure sign of a warrior.

• On the battlefield can be combined with other forms of impenetrable covering when advancing into enemy territory.

In Spiritual Warfare

The enemy of our souls has some crafty weapons designed to weaken our faith and shake our foundation in Christ. These fiery darts are meant to catch us off guard and leave us vulnerable in spiritual warfare. But here’s the key: when we stand firm in our faith and use it as a shield, we’re able to protect not only our minds but also our spirits from these attacks. It’s our faith that strengthens us to fight back and overcome the enemy’s assault.

Some of these fiery darts the enemy throws at us include things like doubt, greed, malice, murmuring, complaining, selfishness, pride, lust, low self-esteem, destructive anger, spiritual apathy, deception, lies, temptation to sin, fear, and anxiety. Each one is designed to hit where we’re most vulnerable. Just like darts and spears in the physical world are crafted with sharp, pointed tips to penetrate and cause maximum damage, the enemy’s spiritual darts are aimed at any unprotected space in our lives.

To make matters worse, these spiritual darts are often “poisoned” or set on fire to cause even greater harm if they’re allowed to strike. That’s why we need to be aware of these attacks and ready with the shield of faith, trusting in God to protect and guide us through every trial.

So, believers, think about how much damage a little bit of doubt can cause. Just look at Genesis 3:1 - the devil planted a tiny seed of doubt in Eve’s mind, and the consequences were huge and long-lasting. That one moment of questioning what God said led to the fall of humanity. It shows us how dangerous doubt can be when we let it take root.

But here’s the good news: Romans 10:17 reminds us that our faith grows every time we hear the Word of God. As we listen, we store it up in our hearts, and it equips us to act in faith no matter what we’re facing. The more we fill ourselves with God’s truth, the stronger our faith becomes, making us more resilient in times of trial (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

Now, when it comes to spiritual warfare, the enemy doesn't play fair. There’s a “no holds barred” principle - meaning there are no limits to what the devil will try to throw at us. He’ll use anything to make us doubt, fear, or feel defeated. This is exactly why we need to take up the Shield of Faith. It’s our defense to ward off whatever attacks come our way, whether that’s temptation, fear, or doubt.

And remember, faith has a voice. We need to speak out God’s promises over our lives. Isaiah 55:11 tells us that His Word doesn’t return void, so when we declare it with belief, it will accomplish what it’s sent out to do. We have the power to call things into existence by faith - speaking them as though they already are, until they manifest. This is how we fight and win! Let’s keep standing firm in faith and speaking God’s truth in every situation.

For every arrow or spear of attack the devil throws at us, there’s a word of faith in Scripture that can counter and nullify it. When we speak the Word with faith, it’s like lifting our shield - one that bears the signature of Christ Jesus. With that shield raised, we can confidently move forward into spiritual warfare, knowing those fiery darts from the enemy don’t stand a chance against the power of God’s Word.

And here's the amazing part: as believers, we’re not fighting alone. In the body of Christ, we can come together, joining our shields of faith to form a solid wall of defense. When we stand in agreement, united and knit together by the Word of faith, we create an impenetrable barrier (St Matthew 18:19-20). Together, we can effectively push back and destroy any forces that rise against the body of Christ. Our strength multiplies when we stand together, and our collective faith becomes a powerful weapon against the enemy.

  Practical Application – Utilizing the Shield of Faith

• When facing challenges, anxiety, negative influences or demonic attacks, look in the scriptures for God’s promises and believe that He is always with you and will fight your battles (Exodus 14:14).  

• Sometimes the devil comes bearing gifts, but it’s a deception. Seek God’s will in His word and believe you will receive what God has for you (2 Corinthians 5:7)

• Use the word of faith to shield you from temptations and strengthen you – meditate and apply the word of God to deal with every situation in your life that presents a temptation (James 1:22).

• Pray with confidence believing that God has heard your prayers and will answer in the perfect time (Psalm 18:30; Mark 11:22-24).

• Do not practice self-reliance but rather seek God’s guidance with decisions and plans- this shows you surrender by faith by trusting in God’s wisdom to guide you (Proverbs 3:5-6).

• Engage in relationship building with God, through prayer, praise, worship, reading His word and taking on Christlike behaviors - it takes faith to believe and grow in God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Conclusion

Being victorious in Spiritual warfare is vital for every believer and God has equipped us with an armor designed for guaranteed victory. Part 1 outlined the significance and use of the Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteous. It is important that we fully understand how to battle spiritual wickedness by using the armor in our everyday lives and the attack that comes against us.  Part 2 examines the Feet Shod with the Gospel of Peace and the Shield of Faith. These 2 pieces enable us to advance in faith, spreading the good news while we remain shielded from the attacks of the enemy. In Part 3 which is the third and final segment, I will conclude with an examination of the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit.