February 04 2026

Wednesday February 04

The Shoes of the Gospel

Ephesians 6:13-15

“And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat today. We are continuing in Ephesians chapter 6 as we learn how to stand against the enemy by putting on the whole armor of God. And today we come to a very practical part of that armor in Ephesians 6:15: “And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Paul is drawing from the picture of a Roman soldier. The Roman soldier wore strong sandals—often reinforced and fitted with hobnails. Those nails gave him traction and stability in battle. A soldier could not stand, advance, or fight effectively if his feet were slipping or injured. And spiritually speaking, if our feet are not protected, we will not stand very long.

The Gospel gives us firm footing and a key word in this verse is “preparation.” This word carries the idea of readiness, but it also points to a firm foundation. In other words, the Gospel gives the believer solid footing. And that is exactly what we need in spiritual warfare: stability, firmness, and confidence. So many believers fall—not because they do not love the Lord—but because their footing becomes unstable. They are shaken by fear, doubt, temptation, or discouragement. And often because of unconfessed sin in their lives their feet have gotten dirty with the world. Remember Jesus washed the feet of the disciples in John 13 signify the need of forgiveness.

Paul also calls it the “gospel of peace” because the Gospel brings peace in every direction. First, it brings peace between God and man. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” One of Satan’s favorite weapons is accusation. He wants believers to doubt their standing with God. He wants to disturb their conscience and rob them of assurance. But the Gospel settles the greatest issue of all: our relationship with God. Through Jesus Christ, we have peace with God. That means we do not have to fear the devil, and we do not have to fear men. We belong to Christ. Second, the Gospel brings peace within our hearts. Even when life is difficult, the believer can stand with confidence because we are resting in Christ. Third, the Gospel brings peace with one another. This is important because Satan loves division. If he can destroy peace among believers, he can weaken the church.

These shoes also remind us that our feet must be protected everywhere we go. There are places Christians should not go. There are doors we should not walk through unless God is sending us there and we are walking in the protection of His armor. The temptations are too great otherwise. But wherever we do go, we must go as soldiers of the King and ambassadors for Christ.

This verse also speaks of readiness. We are not only called to stand—we are called to go. Jesus gave our marching orders in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations… and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” My friend, the world is full of people who have never heard the Gospel clearly. Lost men and women are held in the grip of Satan. Surely there is someone to whom we can go with the Gospel of peace. And that brings us back to that word “preparation.” Many believers shrink back from Christian service because they do not feel prepared. But preparation matters. Jesus spent years training His disciples. Paul often traveled with young men and trained them for ministry. And in the same way, each of us must learn Scripture, grow in our faith, and learn how to share the Gospel. A Christian does not become effective overnight—we grow through obedience, service, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

These shoes as protection against traps laid in the path—sharp sticks and hidden snares meant to stop an army. That is exactly what Satan does. He lays traps to hinder our walk, to stop our progress, and to wound our feet so we cannot stand. But when our feet are shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, we can walk steadily—even when the path is difficult.

When we join God in the publication of the Gospel we have this wonderful promise in Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publishes peace…” Paul quotes this again in Romans 10:15, reminding us that God delights in the believer who carries the Gospel. Satan declares war, but you and I are ambassadors of peace. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 tells us we have been given the ministry of reconciliation. We are sent into the world with the message of Christ.

So today, let us ask the Lord for two things. First, that we would have firm footing—a settled confidence in the Gospel that gives us peace with God through Jesus Christ. And second, that we would have ready feet—a prepared heart and a willing spirit to go wherever God sends us, and to share the Gospel with a lost and dying world. May God help us to stand, and to go, with our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.

God bless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.