These Boots Were Made For Walking

Stand firm therefore . . . having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
–Ephesians 6:14-15

The playwright George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one . . . the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” Shaw was not a Christian, but he understood the value of a clearly defined purpose in life. Having a purpose gives us enjoyment in life, but it can also protect us from the attacks of Satan.

We have been studying the spiritual armor God has given us to repel Satan’s attacks, and last week we began talking about our spiritual boots. Ephesians 6:14-15 says, “Stand firm therefore . . . having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” In Paul’s day, the Roman soldier had to wear the right boots to successfully engage in battle. Those thick-soled boots gave the soldier stability in hand-to-hand combat and protected him from stones and sticks that the enemy placed underground. In the same way, we as Christians need the stability and protection that having the right purpose in life provides.

Remember, God’s purpose for your life is bigger than getting up every morning, going to work, coming home, eating dinner, watching a little television, and going to bed. There is only one reason God has left you on this foreign outpost called planet Earth instead of taking you to the heaven. You have a greater purpose in life, and that purpose is to fulfill God’s purpose. His purpose is to seek and save those who are lost, to rescue people from Satan’s kingdom and deliver them to the light of Christ’s kingdom. You and I have been called to join with God in that purpose. That is what it means to strap on our spiritual boots–to live out our purpose of sharing the gospel.

Not only is living our purpose the key to fulfillment in life, but it is a powerful deterrent against Satan’s attacks. What is the connection between sharing the gospel and being successful in the spirit wars? That is what we are going to discover this week. When you keep your God-given purpose in the forefront of your mind, it will help you make crucial choices that are absolutely essential to victory in spiritual warfare.

Today’s devotion is excerpted from “These Boots Were Made For Walking” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2011.

George Bernard Shaw, “Man And Superman” (New York: Brentano’s, 1905), xxxi-xxxii.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org