Over recent weeks we’ve been learning how each of us, no matter our circumstances, can live in victory by following the very practical teaching of Ephesians 6:10-17. Here the apostle Paul shows us how we can stand strong in all circumstances by putting on what he calls the armour of God.
The fourth piece of armour that every Christian must put on to live a life of victory is the shield of faith. Throughout history, shields have been of great importance, determining whether a soldier or even whole armies survived a battle and whether victory is ultimately won. Centuries ago, Roman soldiers had a long, rectangular, knees-to-chin shield which protected them from arrows and spears and could be knelt behind during an incoming barrage of arrows.
The great 19th Century preacher Charles Spurgeon said “Like the Spartans, every Christian is born a warrior. It is his destiny to be assaulted; it is his duty to attack. Part of his life will be occupied with defensive warfare.”
The apostle Paul helps us to visualise the shield that we must carry to defend ourselves in Ephesians 6:16, saying: “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” The Living Bible puts it like this: ‘In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.’
1. Take up your Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16; Psalm 20:7; Psalm 28:7; Hebrews 11)
2. Carry your shield of faith wherever you go (Ephesians 6:16; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 1 Peter 4:12; Genesis 15:1; Hebrews 11:6)
3. See the shield of faith bring total victory (Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 5:4; John 16:33; 1 John 4:4)
Apply
The shield of faith represents the next part of the armour which is needed “in addition” to the first three parts. It’s not strapped onto us, so it needs to be actively “taken up” in reaction to attack. Everybody has faith in something, even if they believe in nothing! Every day people choose in whom or in what they put their faith to shield them from the realities of life. Every day, people put their faith in doctors, dentists and drivers without ever having inspected any qualification papers, and in everyday things such as chairs and planes, trains and automobiles despite not having checked them for faults. Others put faith in ideologies such as communism, capitalism, secularism, etc. Even atheists have faith in what they believe! We too must choose in whom we will put our faith (Psalm 20:7). The faith that the Bible speaks of is not faith in natural things, but faith in God for salvation, deliverance, healing, direction, protection, revelation and provision. The Christian life is to be a life of ever-increasing faith in God, where doubt, fear, negativity and anxiety are banished, and we are strengthened and joy filled as our hearts trust in Him as our help (Psalm 28:7). We may put our faith in many things: money, health, intellect, motivational speakers, logic, science, your own wisdom or even a hard heart, distance or defensiveness to protect ourselves. We need to place our faith in God. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Gideon and many more saw great conquests (Hebrews 11). All of them had this is common: they overcame by faith. Our faith in God is the most powerful shield of protection around our lives and families. Faith is the confidence and assurance we have in the crucified and risen Christ. Faith is lifting our eyes up to God and relying on the greater One in us to see us through: Through our storms, through our hardships, through every attack, being fully surrendered to God’s will and maintaining complete confidence in Him. Determination alone will never get you to heaven and through trials. Only faith will. You can pray nonstop from now till next week Sunday but you will see no answers to your prayer if you don’t have the faith to receive it (Hebrews 11:1). Having all the other pieces of armour, but without the shield of faith, we won’t be able to live in the promises of God.
Carry your shield of faith wherever you go: Ephesians 6:16 (ESV) says ‘In all circumstances...’. This means we must always be ready with the shield of faith. A Roman soldier’s shield was no good to him when on the battlefield if he had left it at home! In the same way we too need to take our shield of faith wherever we go so we can be confident of protection from the enemy’s flaming arrows of attack, whenever and wherever they come at us. You can experience times where there seem to be no attacks, and then quickly it seems there are flaming arrows flying at you from all directions (1 Peter 5:8-9). For attacks can come at us in many ways. The enemy often tries to attack individuals in their thoughts, with doubts, fear, even questioning God and our own salvation. What are your first thoughts in the morning or last thoughts at night? Negative, fearful, anxious thoughts are some of the flaming arrows thrown by the enemy, with the intention of us thinking they have just come from within us. Other fiery arrows come in our imagination, leading us into temptations, deceiving us that it is something we want, rather than being an enemy attack. And of course, you may find that the attack is what the apostle Peter called a ‘fiery ordeal’, such as in your health, family, finances or other area of life (1 Peter 4:12). Faith is being able to quickly apply what you believe to neutralise everything the enemy intends to do to you. Faith is not simply having the knowledge or belief; it’s then being able to practically apply it in the moment of attack. Just as a shield must point towards its object to be effective, so our faith points towards God and therefore provides effective protection against every attack we face. As you carry your shield with you wherever you go, you will be able to live a fearless life (Genesis 15:1). And just as Abraham experienced when he believed God, so you will also see that when you have faith God will do what He has promised. God’s promises are sure, but you must have faith to believe in them (Hebrews 11:6). We need to let our character, lifestyle and expectations be governed by our faith in God. Faith is not something we do and say in church only. If you believe in God you will tell others about your faith. Share your Christian lifestyle with your family and friends. Step out for God and see him step into your life at a new level. We can’t be passive in spiritual warfare. As you take up your shield of faith and carry it with you wherever you go, your emotions, your thoughts, your whole life will be protected.
See the shield of faith bring total victory: Faith is the key to conquest. Ephesians 6:16 does not say some of the arrows will be extinguished but that ALL the flaming arrows of the evil one. That means total victory, total conquest. Faith can never be overcome. It can only overcome (1 John 5:4). To see protection and victory that faith brings, it must be exercised and applied to every aspect of our lives and ministry. The world is a battleground of kingdoms but by faith we can always look ahead to total victory (John 16:33). Total victory is your portion (1 John 4:4). Are you in faith for your family to be saved and restored? For a miracle in your finances? For a turnaround in any health issues? For growth in the ministry? For your future? Today whatever attacks you may be facing, make your decision to take up the shield of faith’ so that ‘you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.’
