In Part 5 we looked at having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. In today's message we'll be covering the shield of faith.
Ephesians 6:14-17
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
In battle the shield was used as protection to guard against an attack from the enemy. This particular shield was large enough to cover the entire length of the soldier's body. It was also designed in a manner that enabled the soldiers to lock their shields together horizontally and vertically.
Now notice the scripture says "all the fiery darts of the wicked one." This illustrates that the soldier comes under attack. It's not just wearing the armour for armour's sake or to look pretty, or fancy or flashy, as though the soldiers are wearing the armour to win some sort of fashion competition amongst each other. Not at all, there's a reason why they need to wear the armour - it's because they're in a battle! They're under attack!
Let's look at some scriptures where the Bible refers to us coming under attack by Satan:
🔵1 John 5:19
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
🔵2 Timothy 2:26
and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
🔵James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
(why would we need to resist if there wasn't an opposing force)
🔵Ephesians 6:11-12
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
🔵1 Peter 5:8-9
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Based on the above scriptures, we also see examples of this in the Bible where people were tempted by Satan:
Adam and Eve in Genesis 3
Jesus Christ in Luke 4:1-13
Simon Peter in Matthew 16:21-23
Judas Iscariot in Luke 22:3-6
Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-5
Now I want to come back to one of the scriptures mentioned above, but adding verse nine to it:
1 Peter 5:8-9
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
You'll notice it says to resist him - firm in the faith. This ties in with the piece of armour we're discussing in today's message because it says that it's the shield of faith that quenches the attack of the enemy. Given that it takes faith to stand against him, and knowing that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17), we can understand why satan comes to steal the word or is after the word of God to prevent it from producing fruit in our lives (Mark 4:1-20)
The previous armour that we've discussed has to do with items that we wear (including the helmet of salvation which we'll cover in the next message) but where the shield of faith is different is that it's not something that we wear but rather something that we wield (just like the sword). This means it's a defensive tool we can either pick up and use when circumstances require it, or due to various circumstances, one we can put down and find ourselves vulnerable to attack.
Below are some other reasons why faith is important:
🔴You cannot please God without faith - Hebrews 11:6
🔴You cannot overcome the tribulations (pressure, affliction, anguish, persecution, trouble, burden, stress) of this world without faith in Christ - John 16:33, 1 John 5:4-5, 2 Corinthians 12:10, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 8:35-39, Matthew 7:24-27
🔴You cannot receive anything from God without faith - Hebrews 6:12, James 1:6-8
🔴You cannot be justified, made righteous, nor receive salvation without faith - Romans 10:5-17, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:1-9
🔴Faith is such a big deal that Jesus stated in Luke 18:6-8 that when the Son of man comes, will He really find faith on the Earth?... Jesus identifies faith as something that might be lacking when He returns (That's a serious statement).
If you'd like to learn more on understanding faith, please see the following series:
https://unlessjesusbuilds.blogspot.com/search/label/Understanding%20Faith?m=1
I'd like to conclude this message by saying that it takes faith to gird our waist with the belt of truth (to build one's life on the Truth - His word). It takes faith to put on the breastplate of righteousness (receive salvation and have the assurance that we've been reconciled with God through Christ). It takes faith to have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (that peace that only God can provide. That supernatural peace that quietens our racing mind, removes the fear, anxiety and worry, provides our soul with a sense of freedom, contentment, joy and rest, and one in which we find the strength and boldness to face our battles head on) ... All of this is an act of faith!
By faith I believe:
That I am a child of God (1 John 3:1)
That God is my heavenly Father (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6)
That I am a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17)
That I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
That I can do the same works Christ did and greater (John 14:12)
That with Him all things are possible (Mark 10:27)
That God would never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5)
That is my refuge and strength, my ever-present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1)
All of this is an act of faith!
So Stand therefore, taking up your shield of Faith!
Amen
If you'd like to learn more on understanding faith, please see the following series:
https://unlessjesusbuilds.blogspot.com/search/label/Understanding%20Faith?m=1
I'd like to conclude this message by saying that it takes faith to gird our waist with the belt of truth (to build one's life on the Truth - His word). It takes faith to put on the breastplate of righteousness (receive salvation and have the assurance that we've been reconciled with God through Christ). It takes faith to have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (that peace that only God can provide. That supernatural peace that quietens our racing mind, removes the fear, anxiety and worry, provides our soul with a sense of freedom, contentment, joy and rest, and one in which we find the strength and boldness to face our battles head on) ... All of this is an act of faith!
By faith I believe:
That I am a child of God (1 John 3:1)
That God is my heavenly Father (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6)
That I am a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17)
That I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
That I can do the same works Christ did and greater (John 14:12)
That with Him all things are possible (Mark 10:27)
That God would never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5)
That is my refuge and strength, my ever-present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1)
All of this is an act of faith!
So Stand therefore, taking up your shield of Faith!
Amen