According to Ephesians 6:15 Soldiers are always prepared for spiritual warfare by having put on the armor of God. The first item was the belt of truth. The second item was the breastplate of righteousness and the third item is the war boots. It’s a subject of debate as to what is actually meant, but it seems obvious that whatever that specific word means it’s referring to what a soldier would wear when he goes out to war. That’s why I call them the “war boots.” It seems to fit the context well. These boots were spiked on the bottom to help secure the soldiers footing as he would stand firm against the onslaughts of the enemy. They were also designed as light wear which would enable the soldier to march long distances to reach the front lines where the battle was the most intense.

Paul used the footwear as an illustration focusing on two truths. First, the spiked nature of the boots enabled the soldier to find footing to resist the attacks of the enemy. There will always be resistance. The enemy’s main tactic is to disrupt our lives. He works through fiery darts and brings thoughts (it’s a battle for our mind) that disrupt our peace and break relationships and destroy community. But the war boots that Paul exhorts us to put on have to do with the “gospel that brings peace.” Therefore, first and foremost we must stand firm in the way we think.

When Paul was writing to the Philippians he specifically addressed how they were to stand firm in their thinking. In Philippians 4:1 Paul says, “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” The word “thus” is pointing at the instructions he is about to give them. 6-7 explains that the key focus must be in Christ. It says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Please notice that it’s “peace” that will guard your hearts and “minds.” Then verse 8 directs our attention on how to conduct mental Warfare. It says, “brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” We are to stand firm by disciplining our thought life. According to Dr. Elinore Kinarthy, “The average person has more than two hundred negative thoughts a day—worries, jealousies, insecurities, cravings for forbidden things, etc. Depressed people have as many as six hundred.” If she is correct, we must all recognize the fact that we live on the front lines. Our first line of resistance and defense is to stand firm in our thought life.