Community Prayers and Encouragement 

The Belt, Breastplate, and Shoes 

Much like a soldier would put on metal armor during battle, Ephesians 6 describes the spiritual Armor of God and how it works in our lives. This is an illustration for us in how to fight the forces of darkness in the spiritual realm. The armor consists of six pieces and is complete when we activate prayer in our lives. Today, we’ll discuss the first three components: the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, and the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace. 

Belt of Truth
For the soldier, this was the first part that was put on. Every other part of the armor was attached to this. God’s Word is our source of truth and it’s the “belt” we must put on first, before we incorporate the rest. As Christ followers, we must stand on God’s truth at all times. We use it to guide our prayers, to help us not sin, and to strengthen us when we’re afraid. Knowing God’s truth prevents us from having to redefine what truth is depending on the circumstances we're facing. As we learned in Day 1, our spiritual enemy’s main goal is deception. Deception is so hard because when we’re deceived, we become blind to it. That’s why we must know God’s truth. 

Breastplate of Righteousness
For the soldier, the breastplate protected the most vital organs. When we live righteously or the right way, this brings an added measure of protection. Choosing to live right before the Lord and doing our best to obey God will give Satan less ammunition to bombard us with. We don’t do this to earn love from God, but to prevent us from unnecessary hardship that we bring on ourselves with our poor choices. When we choose sin, we symbolically remove our breastplate and that opens us up to attacks from Satan. This isn’t about achieving perfection or living according to our opinion of “right,” but choosing to live a life that lines up with God’s truth. 

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
For the soldier, the shoes provided protection as well as a strong foundation. When a soldier went to battle, it was vital that he didn’t have to worry about his feet. The gospel of peace is our firm footing for it helps us stand tall and protects us as we step into the battle. Being assured of this will keep us firmly planted when life’s struggles and Satan’s attacks come our way. Not only that, but our “feet” must be ready at all times so that we can share the gospel of Jesus. This gospel, the good news, is the salvation for all mankind. We must know it, live it, and be ready to proclaim it. 

John 8:31-32  "Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Acts 4:12 "There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”

Ephesians 6:10-17  "Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."