In addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16 NIV)
This week I want to examine the shield of faith. Paul says that this shield can extinguish all the flaming arrows that the enemy may hurl at the believer.
Here is some background information on the Roman shields from MercyDrops.org.
"Roman Shields were large like a door, usually about 2 feet by 4 feet, the soldier could crouch behind it and hide completely from the enemy. The shields were made of wood covered with leather. Soldiers would dip the shields in water to quench the enemies fiery arrows. Paul's analogy for faith is the soldier's shield. Faith deflects Satan's fiery darts as found in Ephesians 6:16: 'Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.'
"The Shields were also beveled in such a way that they could be locked together. A row of soldiers could thus link their shields together to form a wall. Swords and arrows could not permeate this wall as they marched forward together in unity. As Christians, we are stronger and less likely to fall, when we are united together in faith."
Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." For the last several articles I have been discussing spiritual warfare. It is established that Satan desires to hurt you, hinder you, steal from you, and destroy you and everything near and dear to you. He desires to discredit you, and your witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, when all is said and done, he wants to kill you. That should not be a surprise to any believer. Satan's nature demands that he steal, kill, and destroy. He is incapable of any other activity.
In this verse in Ephesians, Paul declares extremely good news to the church. Yes, the fiery darts of the evil one may come with regularity, however, the shield of faith will extinguish every fiery dart of Satan. No arrow of Satan has more power than the faith of God operating in the life of a born again believer.
Satan maintains a diverse arsenal of fiery arrows. Fear is one of the most common, and one of the most powerful of Satan's arrows. God wants you to walk in faith that works through the love of God. (See Galataians 5:6) Satan wants you to live captive to the bondage of fear.
The Psalmist wrote about fear in Psalm 46. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46:1-3 NIV)
God is our protection. (See Psalm 91) Here, the Psalmist describes God as our refuge and strength. God is our safe place in all situations. Putting on the armor of God is analogous to living in the refuge of God. He will protect us from all trouble and from all the attacks of enemy.
Notice in particular what the Psalmist says about fear. Since God is our refuge and our strength, there is no need to fear. He says even if the earth is in great turmoil with the mountains falling into the sea, and the waters of the sea roaring and foaming, still there is no need to fear.
Over and over again the Word of God instructs us to not fear. Fear has torment. Paul said in II Timothy 1:7 that God has not given us a spirit of timidity or fear, but power, love and a sound mind. Perfect love will cast out fear. John said, There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (I John 4:18 NIV)
When Satan attacks with fiery arrows of fear, take the shield of faith and protect yourself from these attacks. The shield of faith will extinguish EVERY fiery arrow of the enemy. When fear attacks you, then say, “No, Satan, I refuse those thoughts of fear. God loves me with a perfect love. He cares for me and provides for every detail of my life. He will never leave me or forsake me. He is my refuge and strength, therefore I will not fear.
Years ago my paternal grandmother successfully used the shield of faith against the fiery darts of the enemy after a burglary at her home. My grandfather was deceased and this was this second break-in at her home, once before Grandpa died, and then the subsequent attack after his death. After the second attack, Grandma was shaken. Someone spent the night with her for a few nights, but then she sent that person home. She knew that she had to face those fiery arrows of fear. She was not going to allow fear to exercise dominion in her life. She took the shield of faith and lived in that house alone for another twenty years, and there was never another burglary attempt.
During my mid 20’s, I experienced several attacks of fiery arrows of fear from Satan. I was the pastor of a small Baptist church in the backwoods of southwest Mississippi. I remember one attack that was particularly intense. Thoughts, or fiery arrows of fear from Satan, consistently attacked my mind that I would never see my parents alive again. For a young man, who had not been an adult that long, those thoughts produced torment in me. Over time I learned to use the shield of faith to extinguish those fiery darts from the enemy. I began to resist his attacks of fear with the name of Jesus. Also, I remember saying, “Lord, if I never see my parents on this earth again, I thank you for the years that you have given me with them.” I became resolute that I would not allow that fear to rule my life. Thirty years later my parents are still alive and well.
We must refuse to live in the torment of fear. I refuse to consciously allow it to remain in my life.
In the early years of my Christian walk, Isaiah 41:10 was one of my favorite verses of Scripture. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (NIV)
In God there is never a reason to fear or be dismayed. Why?
Paul said, If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31b NIV)
- God is with us.
- He is our God.
- He will strengthen us.
- He will help us.
- He will uphold us with his righteous right hand.
God is for you. He is with you, and he is your God. He will strengthen you, he will help you, and he will uphold you with his righteous right hand. He has equipped you with the spiritual armor of God including the shield of faith with which you can extinguish every fiery arrow of Satan. Yes, the arrows will come, but you are equipped. God is for you, and the victory is secure in him!
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org
Wisdom From the Word
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