Title: The Shield of Faith

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:16
“above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

Main idea: Have faith in God and face the future without fear.

The above Scripture we are considering, Apostle Paul a Roman citizen spiritualized the various pieces of armor worn by a Roman soldier in battle. Paul asserted that we need to do more than merely profess faith in Jesus Christ if we want to live victoriously in a world dominated by evil. We need to put on the equipment with which our Father God provides us for achieving victory. Faith can deal with the darts of temptation. For Paul, faith is always complete trust in Christ. When we walk closely with Christ, we are safe from temptation. It is not God’s will that we live in failure and go down in defeat. Above all, we must put on and utilize the shield of faith to quench Satan’s fiery darts. What are some of the fiery darts the devil launches against us today? What is the shield of faith we can use today to protect us from these fiery arrows that would destroy us?

The fiery arrows of Satan.
We will face the fiery arrow of temptation to do evil. We will be tempted to live an immoral life. We will be tempted to live only for the pleasure of the moment. We will face the fiery arrow of doubt that leads to disappointment and despair. Satan will seek to destroy our faith in God. We face the fiery darts of disease. What kind of a flaming arrow is Satan using on you? Could it be that he is making you wealthy or successful in order to lure you away from God? Wealth is not always the blessing of God. It may be a gift from the underworld of evil to lure you away from the pathway of righteousness and faithfulness. We are engaged in a spiritual battle—all believers find themselves subject to Satan’s attacks because they are no longer on Satan’s side. Thus, Paul tells us to use every piece of God’s armor to resist Satan’s attacks and to stand true to God in the midst of those attacks.

Rose Marie Miller writes: “The first “real enemy” in your life is always your own unsubmitted self-life (James 4:1–10). To struggle against your own agendas and passions is at the heart of spiritual warfare. The second “real enemy” is Satan. The one who hates you without compromise is always the power of darkness (Eph. 6:12). Wherever there is self-praising pride the Devil has much, much influence.” (Rose Marie Miller, From Fear to Freedom: Living as Sons and Daughters of God (Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw, 1994), 116)

Taking the shield of faith.
It was through faith that the saints of old accomplished great things in God’s name and for the people of their time (Hebrews 11:32–40). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Born-again believers should trust in the Word of God and believe with all their hearts that it is through faith that God will give them the victory over the world in which we live (1 John 5:4). Each of us needs to use the faith he or she has. Our Lord emphasized the necessity of utilizing the faith we have even though it may be small (Matthew 17:19–20). Hebrews chapter 11 has been called “Faith’s Hall of Fame.” This chapter gives us a list of the great heroes of God who through faith overcame evil and accomplished much in the kingdom of God.

In the parable of the sower in Mark 4:14-15, our Lord Jesus identified the birds who steal the newly sown seed as the Devil. He does not want us to believe, confess, and stand upon the Word of God. Satan wants to rob us of our confidence in God’s acceptance based on the righteousness of Christ alone, knowing that the freedom, and joy provided by the unyielding love of God unleashes the Spirit’s power in us to repel Satan’s wiles and warfare.

Application
When Satan, the ruler of this world (John 12:31), sends his fiery arrows of temptation, doubt, wrath, lust, vengeance, problems, and trials into our lives, we can hold up our shield of faith and quench them. We are assured that “whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith” (1 John 5:4). The faith intended here is that through which we are justified and reconciled to God through the blood of Christ. It is that faith of which Christ is the object, which receives Him as the Son of God and the Saviour of men.

Let’s pray together
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the shield of faith. Your word declares “whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.” Thank you Lord for the victory you given to us. In Jesus Name Amen.