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Good morning beloved, it was in the desires of God heart.The purpose of this article is to help you understand how to put on “The Shield of Faith” so Satan can’t derails you from becoming a mature Christian or being effective in building Christ’s Church The Great Commission, (Matthew 28:16-20). And for those who desire to build and lead a Kingdom business you would be wise to know the enemy and how to defend yourself against Satan or he will make your life miserable.
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” (Ephesians 6:16 – NKJV)
Believers in Christ must take up, put on, and use the whole armor of God to appropriate, enforce, demonstrate, or manifest the victory that Jesus Christ has won and given to them through His death and resurrection.
This was especially helpful to protect against arrows launched from the walls of cities they were attacking. Shields, often made of wood and then covered in hide, when wet, could extinguish flaming arrows.
Clearly, a shield is vitally important to a soldier. It provides a blanket of protection. It is meant to be taken up in all circumstances. It is the first barrier against the enemy’s attack. Often, shields were painted with identifying marks; a Christian who takes up the shield of faith identifies himself as a foot soldier who serves the Commander of the Lord’s army (see Joshua 5:14).
Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Verse 6 stresses the importance of faith: “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Satan’s attacks can sometimes cause us to doubt God.
Faith prompts us to believe God. We give in to temptation when we believe what it has to offer is better than what God has promised. Faith reminds us that, though fulfillment of God’s promise may not be readily visible to us, God is true to His Word.
When Satan attempts to plague us with doubt or entice us with instant gratification, faith recognizes the deceptiveness of his tactics and quickly extinguishes the arrows. When Satan accuses us, faith chooses to believe that Jesus has redeemed us and that there is no more condemnation (Romans 8:1, 34; Revelation 12:10–12).
Faith is one of the greatest gifts (1 Corinthians 13:13), and it is the means by which we receive grace and come into right relationship with God (Ephesians 2:8–9).
It is because we have been justified through faith that we belong to God and have peace with Him (Romans 5:1). Faith is the doorway to hope in God (Romans 5:2). Because we have faith in God, our suffering need not faze us; in fact, we can persevere under it (Romans 5:3–5). The things Satan attempts to use to discourage us can actually become tools in the hands of God.
All believers have this promise: “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4). Faith is a protective barrier between us and the schemes of Satan. When we believe God and take Him at His word, we remain grounded in truth, the lies of the enemy lose their power, and we become overcomers. In that way, faith is ours hield.
The Roman soldier’s shield was made of six layers of thick animal hide or skin specially tanned and woven together, making them as tough and durable as metal yet relatively lightweight. The leather shields are often soaked in water before battle so that the enemy’s flaming arrows would be extinguished on impact.
The large rectangular shield carried by the Roman soldiers in Greek was named “a door” because it looked like the soldier was carrying a full-size leather-covered door behind which he could safely stand. The soldier uses the shield to deflect attacks no matter from which direction they come.
The believer’s tough, strong, durable, and large shield that can deflect and quench every flaming dart or arrow from Satan and his cohorts is what Paul refers to as “the faith of the Son of God.”
Apostle Paul writes, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20 KJV).
The faith of the Son of God is the supernatural faith of God imparted to the believer’s heart at the point of the new birth by the Holy Spirit through the preaching or teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul testifies, “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ.” (Rom. 10:17 RSV).
The faith of the Son of God is a precious gift of God to every believer in Christ. Every believer has in his heart the same supernatural faith that was in Jesus Christ and His early apostles.
Paul testifies, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Rom. 12:3 KJV).
Peter also testifies, “Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 1:1 NKJV).
Putting on The Shield of Faith
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16
It is our faith, not needs, the moves God. Hebrews 11:6 teaches us that “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Faith is taking God at His word and acting on it!
The Roman shield the scutum was not the standard “medieval-esque” shield most pictured in their minds upon hearing the word. It was instead a very large, slightly curved rectangular shield featuring at its center a large metal knob (called a boss).
The scutum was an impressive line of defense. Because of its sheer size (some were three and a half feet tall and almost three feet wide); soldiers were afforded a great deal of protection from enemies.
Because of its slight curve, it was able to deflect attacks without transferring the full force of the assault to the man holding the shield. Because of its boss, it was able to deflect even the more vicious blows and function in a limited offensive capacity as a means of knocking an opponent backwards”
Faith is based on indisputable truth and is real. The Bible says that “…faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Consider that “substance” is concrete, and “evidence” is solid proof. Therefore faith is not an emotion based on feelings, but reality.
“For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (Romans 8:24-25).
“Though it is based on solid evidence, that doesn’t mean faith comes naturally or easily. Paul here makes the obvious but necessary point: You don’t hope for what you already have. Faith involves a huge element of trust. We must examine the evidence and see that God has proved Himself to be unchanging and consistent, and then we must firmly believe that He will fulfill His promises to us.”
Following are five characteristics of the Shield of Faith:
The shield is the first line of defense. Parker says that the shield “was used by the Romans to ward off the opening barrage from the enemy. Using bows or catapults, the enemy would shoot flaming arrows, throw fireballs, fling rough metal darts covered in pitch and set on fire, all for the purpose of overwhelming the other side, to create chaos and confusion..
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said.
‘This shall never happen to you!’ Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men”’ (Matt 16:21- 23). Jesus was not rebuking Peter, but Satan who was tempting both Him and Peter to disobey God’ will.
The shield as a guards
. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).
The shield as a deflects.
Faith in God and His promises causes Satan’s “flaming arrows” to bounce off, not able to penetrate our mind and soul, “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised (those who believe in Christ), he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:17-19a).
A shield can incapacitate the enemy. “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him” (Matthew 4:10-11).
There is strength in numbers of shields. “The Roman military had an inventive and very effective tactic that made use of their large shields. When enemies would begin firing arrows and other projectiles at the army, the soldiers would close ranks into a rectangular array called the testudo, or “tortoise,” formation and those on the outside would use their shields to create a wall around the perimeter. Then those in the middle would raise their shields over their heads to protect everyone from airborne missiles.
The result was a formidable human tank that could be stopped only through a tremendous effort” (The Bible Study Guides). “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
Sometimes God tests our faith by allowing the devil to tempt us. Pastor Parker notes that in each of the following cases that bad things happened to good men in Scripture “it was a direct result of God allowing it.”
Job “Does Job fear [you] for nothing?’ Satan replied. ‘Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.’ The Lord said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger’” (Job 1:9-12).
Christ – “Jesus was…led by the Spirit in the desert where for forty days he was tempted by the devil” (Luke 4:1b-2a).
Peter – Peter was allowed to be sifted like wheat, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).
Anything to get you to disobey God. Why, because God’s blessings and protection are related to your obedience to Him.“And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17).“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.
For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you…. This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.
Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life…” (Deuteronomy 30:15-20).“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).“Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me”’ (John 14:23-24).
- Blasphemous thoughts. What if there is no God? God does not love you. God is not good. Would a good God allow all this pain and suffering? (Remember God delegated dominion over the earth to man, therefore whatever goes on here on earth is man’s responsibility. See Genesis 1:28-30.
- Critical and hateful thoughts about yourself and others leading to breaking fellowship with God and man. “My command is this ‘love each other as I have loved you”’ (John 15:12).
- Thoughts of lust, wrath, revenge, or despair which Parker says are “capable of burning themselves deeply into your very souls, and all of them weakening your ability to resist whatever strategy he (Satan) plans next.”
- Sudden fears, anxieties, panic attacks, a dull feeling like nothing is right, especially with God.
“The armor of God” is a metaphor, a strong symbol of the power of God and the different supernatural resources and options we have in our struggle “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Philippians 6:12b).
Faith is a gift from God and it is one of the ways He keeps us from being prideful over what “we” do or did. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
As Christians, our life is intended to be a strategic partnership with God. He needs us to fulfill His purpose and plans summarized in The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). We need Him to give us life “to the full” and to protect us.
As in any functional team, it requires, as my friend Dave Pyle taught me “a declaration of interdependence on each other.” In this case, God has already made a declaration of interdependence on man.
We are His only plan to get the job done. There is no back-up plan. So it is now, up to each of us, to make a declaration of interdependence on Him and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! Please read John 14, 15 and 16.
Always remember that the armor of God enables you to “stand against the devil’s schemes” because “they have divine power to demolish strongholds!”
How to Stand Firm After You Put on the Armor of God
“Therefore put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm…” Ephesians 13-14a
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4
Note that Paul says “when” the day of evil comes, not if. When the devil tempted Christ in Luke 4:1-13, Christ ALWAYS used Scripture, and ONLY Scripture, to take his stand against the devil. Knowing God is much more powerful than Satan and that Scripture’s “divine power to demolish strongholds…, demolish arguments…, and…take captive every thought,” Jesus simply stood His ground with only Scripture as His weapon!
Why? Because Christ knew Satan fears God the Father and that if He stood on (had faith in) the truth of God’s word, Satan would give up and go away, “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). “Is that it?” you ask.
“Is that all I have to do?” Yes, that’s all there is and that’s all you have to do! Do not battle with people. Do not battle with your flesh. Just quote Scripture to Satan, believe the Scripture and then trust in God’s power and obey God. “I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD,” (1 Kings 20:28).
How do you take up the shield of faith?
- By acknowledging, admitting, or recognizing that God has given you the supernatural faith, the faith of the Son of God, at the New Birth!
- By exercising or using the faith of the Son of God, you already have!
- By holding fast unto or standing firm on God’s promises regardless of what you see or feel in the natural!
- By choosing to walk by faith and not by sight!
Beloved, if you depend upon your natural senses in spiritual warfare, you will always experience defeat. But if you take up the shield of faith, putting your complete trust or confidence in God’s love, faithfulness, and power to keep His promises, you will quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one and demonstrate the victory you already have through Christ Jesus.
Therefore, Paul admonishes, “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” (Ephesians 6:16 NKJV).
Arise today and begin to exercise the faith of the Son of God in you!
Prayer:
Dear Holy Spirit, teach and help me take up, put on, and use the shield of faith daily to appropriate, enforce, enjoy, and demonstrate the victory that Christ has already won for me, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Our mandate is to Preserving the faith of the Apostolic Generation.
Eniyekpemi Fidelis Oyinpreyebi.
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