Faith... Our Shield - Week 13

Ephesians 6:16

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

A warrior without a shield is usually a dead warrior. There are few instances in which a man could survive that kind combat without having his shield as a defensive weapon. This was especially true if he were trying to lay siege to a fortress. The fortress towers and walls were usually fortified with archers who would rain down arrows on all foes attempting to breach their perimeter.

Of course, if a warrior was so weakened by the battle that he could not bear his shield up any longer, then, even with a shield, he would likely fall.

The shield of faith, as we said before, is a 360 degree protection from all sorts of attacks. We also said that there is no angle from which the devil will not attack.  Being more precise, we should say that he cannot attack from below. If our battle stance is upright, on our feet, and ready with gospel shoes, there is no way he can attack from the Rock on which we stand.

But that brings up a good point. Christ is the Rock on which we stand (Psa 18:2). Further, we know that when we are established on this Rock, we will never be shaken, not like the man who built his house on sand (Mt 7:24-26). Even further, this Rock is the foundation on which the Church stands (Mt 16:17-18). Faith and belief in Christ and His Word is the truest foundation that has ever been built (1 Cor 3:11). This is the ground on which we stand. This is the firm foundation for our feet in the battle against principalities and powers of this evil age.  Therefore, we will never worry about an attack coming from our feet.  Remembering Psalm 1, we are firmly planted like a tree by streams of water.

Paul says that we are to take up this shield in all circumstances. That shows us two things from what we have seen so far, 1) there is never a time when the devil will not try to attack us and there is no angle from which he will not try, and 2) our faith will most definitely fend off all of those attacks. Now, this is not because our faith is so strong. Our faith is weak, when it comes right down to it. Rather, what matters is in Whom we have faith. Christ is the object of our faith and he has already defeated satan. Therefore, when we take up the faith-shield (which is a gift of God, Eph 2:8), it is powerfully wielded by Christ who has already won the victory. "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5). We overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil by our belief, that is, our faith in Jesus Christ; that He is who He says He is, and that He is the rewarder of those who seek Him (Heb 11:6).

In all circumstances, if we believe in Jesus, and that He has saved us from our sins, and overcome the world on our behalf, then there is no fiery dart that can ever penetrate to harm us.

Assignment:

1.  Continue to work on this passage and add 1 John 5:4-5.

2.  Journal about the directions from whence the devil has tried to shoot you. Hint: these are the areas in which you are most tempted to sin. Jot down how you believe faith in Christ can help you overcome these temptations.

3.  Look at your warrior picture. How does this change your visual picture of his shield?