The Gospel Helps You Stand Your Ground
By Rick Warren
“On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong.” Ephesians 6:15 (NCV)
Conflict makes you an easy target for Satan’s attacks. It doesn’t matter if your conflict is with God, other people, or even yourself—it will open up every area of your life to Satan’s attacks.
You don’t want that. If you’re fighting yourself, others, or God, you can’t fight against what Satan is doing in the world. You can’t fight a multi-front war effectively. You were never meant to do so.
All levels of conflict leave your flailing for support and searching for a firm footing, as if you’re being sucked into quicksand.
That’s why Paul urges believers, “On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong” (Ephesians 6:15 NCV).
Roman soldiers had hobnails on the bottom of their shoes. These little nails helped them get a better grip with their shoes, like cleats for football players. Without them, soldiers would slip and slide in battle. They wouldn’t be able to hold their ground.
Without putting on the peace that comes from the Good News, you too will slip and slide your way through life.
Paul is writing about three different aspects of peace: with yourself, with others, and with God. It’s called reconciliation, and you need it in all areas of your life. If you wake up each morning at peace with yourself, God, and others, then you’ll find yourself on strong footing. You’ll be able to stand strong against Satan’s attacks.
Satan tries to attack your peace through worry. We can worry about anything—our future, our finances, our relationships, what others think of us. When we worry, it means some area of relational peace is out of sync. In fact, most of the time it means we’re out of sync in each of those areas.
And it means you’re shoeless. You’re not letting the peace that comes from knowing God’s Word take control.
The Bible says, “Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble” (Psalm 119:165 NLT). In other words, the more you love and obey the Bible, the less you’re offended by what others say. The more you love God’s Word, the less you’re offended by what happens to you and the less your walk with God will be disturbed.
Choose to believe what God’s Word says about you, about others, and, most importantly, about God so you’ll have the peace that will help you hold your ground.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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