Prepare for Spiritual Battle with the Shield of Faith
Share
When we think about the purpose of a shield, we mainly think about protection. However, a shield is multipurpose; it not only covers a soldier from attacks, it also enables a solider to move forward in battle. The enemy would like nothing more than to paralyze us by insecurities, fears, doubts, and whatever He can whisper into our thought lives that keep us stuck. However, we have been given the shield of faith, and today we are going to study how the Holy Spirit and God’s Word can empower us to be shielded to move forward in the battle against the enemy.
“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit — which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Our focus verses this week is Ephesians 6:16, which says “In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
What Is the Shield of Faith?
A Roman soldier would have been protected in many ways. Most of the pieces of the armor of God are worn by a soldier, but the shield is an item that is carried in hand. This tells me that we have to hold on to faith as we move forward. When we go to that doctor’s appointment, we carry faith with us. When we watch our 16-year-old child drive off for the first time alone, we carry faith with us. When we follow the Holy Spirit into a new career path or ministry opportunity, we carry faith with us.
Clarence L. Haynes, Jr. shares, “Remember, the shield is the only weapon mentioned that is connected to a specific role. Because of the defensive nature of the weapon, the shield of faith increases the effectiveness of the other weapons.”
When we are using the shield of faith, it helps us to use the other pieces of the armor of God to the best of our ability. Faith shields us in order that we can fight back with the Word of God and prayer. Faith is an added barrier between the enemy’s arrows and our other defensive armor, such as the breastplate of righteousness.
A real-life example of this is a woman being tempted in her job to pursue flirtation and an affair with a man who is not her husband. The enemy tries to plant the seed of lust, but she puts up her shield of faith. She guards her heart, fights back with the Word of God and prayer, and is wise in her steps with the gospel of peace. The temptation is very real and is present, but she is not defeated because she has the victory in Christ. She confesses her struggle to a friend or even her husband and creates a game plan against the enemy to avoid any hint of inappropriate relationship. The shield of faith helps her trust in her God’s promise about marriage and her own family and protect her whole self and move forward against the lies from Satan. She is alert and on her guard to recognize the flaming arrows and eliminate them.
The purpose of the shield is to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Remember that Jesus is the Living Water (John 7:38). Flaming arrows will keep coming, but with the shield of faith from our Living Water, we can extinguish the lies and create a barrier between us and the attacks.
Shielded as a Community
A shield was not only used individually, but as a group. Keith Thomas from Group Bible Study discuses the use of the shield in Roman times. He says, “They moved as a unit of one and interlocked their shields to cover all sides so they were all protected from arrows as they moved forward. In the same way, we ought to watch out for each other. When we fight the fight of faith, we all benefit from each other. Watch out for your brothers and sisters in Christ, by speaking the truth in love and caring for one another.”
Who is standing beside you carrying the shield of faith? When we come alongside our brothers and sisters and help them move forward, we realize that we are stronger together. The church body exists for a reason, and we all rely on Jesus’ power in us, but we do not all have the same strengths and spiritual gifts. This is a beautiful example of being the body of Christ and standing beside each other during times that require great faith. Others’ prayers, words of encouragement, and presence in our lives can give us great hope in adversity, and we can do the same for them.
The Power of Faith
What is the opposite of faith? Many would say fear. Webster’s Dictionary defines faith as, “Belief and trust in and loyalty to God, complete trust.” Looking at this definition, we could say fear, doubt, or distrust are opposites of faith. The demons want us to lose our trust in God because when we do not trust in the Lord, we are not looking to Him, praying to Him, or seeking Him. We are not holding the shield of faith and instead become easy targets for flaming arrows. We might have our other armor on, but without a shield, those arrows are still hitting us.
This is why being in God’s Word increases our faith in Christ. When we read the Bible, it strengthens our faith and affirms the character, history and promises of our great God. It is our reminder when we doubt, are afraid or falter in our trust. He gives us the faith that we need to move forward.
Jesus Models the Shield of Faith
Jesus modeled the shield of faith so many times. I think about His courage to go willingly to be arrested, His confidence in the Father’s plan to be silent when questioned, and His obedience to the Father to go to the cross to be killed on our behalf. Some other moments during His ministry where we see Him using the shield of faith including His many miracles, the times He was accused by the Pharisees and religious leaders, or when He combatted the lies of Satan in the wilderness.
“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
Jesus is the founder and perfect of our faith. We can remember that He had the perfect faith that we long for and He lives in us by His Holy Spirit. We can cling to Him when we ourselves do not have the faith to move forward.
Am I a Spiritual Warrior with the Shoes of Peace?
What fiery arrows is the enemy throwing at you or whispering into your mind right now?
What prevents you the most from having great faith in Christ? (i.e., fear, doubt, etc.)
Who is around you that can stand beside you in the spiritual battle, holding up the shield of faith? What are some practical ways you can do this?
How is the church living out the shield of faith? In what ways can we pray for the body of Christ to stand beside each other faithfully in the spiritual battle?
Related articles
Helmet of Salvation
Shoes of Peace
Breastplate of Righteousness
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/standby
