The Shield of Faith
The first three pieces of armour are to be in place all the time, the second three need to be “taken up” and used as the specific attacks of the enemy occur. They are necessary in addition to the first three. They prevent the attack from reaching to the level protected by the first three. The shield of faith is not only what we believe, but what we do abut our belief. When we don’t act on our faith, we get more deeply impacted by the evil one’s attacks. Standing firm in our faith and continuing our work, guards us and keeps us from harm!
Scripture
Ephesians 6:16 KJV Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Ephesians 6:16 ESV In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Bible Study Questions
More Armour is needed, the active layer
If a soldier had a belt, breastplate and sandals covering and protecting him, why would he need a shield? When we’re secure in our knowledge of who God is, how we need His righteousness, and how we have peace with God through faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we also need additional covering for the same reason. What is that reason?
Ephesians 6:16 ESV In all circumstances take [Above all KJV]
Ephesians 6:11 ESV Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Taking up, is different from having in place
Soldiers on duty is what we are, and like physical soldiers we can never remove that basic parts of our protection. There are time though when we come under specific attack, and we must pick up additional tools and use them actively in the fight.
Ephesians 6:16 KJV Above all, taking the shield of faith,
James 2:18-19 ESV But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
Extinguishing the attack
The shield doesn’t just block a flying arrow from hitting into our breastplate, but it can extinguish the flaming material that is attached to it. Why do we need to extinguish the attack of the evil one rather than just blocking it? What are two things every attack is trying to achieve?
Ephesians 6:16 ESV with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Mark 16:15-16 ESV And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Burning arrows and spears
We don’t usually face actual burning projectiles, what are some of the ways that the enemy throws burning, sharp, spiritual weapons at us?
Ephesians 6:16 ESV all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Not always the devil
James 1:14 ESV But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
Takes away words
Matthew 13:19 ESV When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
Lies, murders and has lying murdering followers
John 8:44 ESV You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Sends his followers to interfere with the Church
Matthew 13:38 ESV The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,
Tempts us with desires
1 Corinthians 7:5 ESV Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Tempts us with words
Luke 4:2-3 ESV for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
Puts thoughts in our head
John 13:2 ESV During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him,
Can cause disease and suffering
Luke 13:16 ESV And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”
Can bring natural disasters
Job 1:19 ESV and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Can cause mental illness
Mark 5:15 ESV And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.
The Almighty Warrior is infinity greater than the evil one.
There is an evil being, and he does actively attack the Church and her people. What must we always remember in the heat of any attack?
Ephesians 6:16 ESV all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Matthew 16:22-23 ESV And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
Examples of extinguished attacks
The Bible is full of examples of attacks on the people of God and how they took up their shields of faith and used them to extinguish the burning weapons that came their way. How can we see their faith in action, and how can we do the same?
Acts 4:29-31 ESV And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Acts 5:40-42 ESV and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Take it to heart
As with all the pieces of armour, we take up the shield in prayer, and particularly by praying the word of God as the Apostles did in acts. How can the following verse be used as a shield of faith?
Acts 4:29-31 ESV And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.