A shield is a thin, flat, hard, object that blocks intruders. A car’s windscreen is a shield that blocks the wind, rain, cold, and bugs, that fly at the car when travelling. A raincoat is a shield that blocks rain. Safety glasses shield the eyes from flying particles.

In Proverbs 30:5, we read, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” Far more important than any other shield is God’s shield of faith that protects those who trust him during temptations. (Read text)

Transition

To help us take up this shield of faith there are three questions that we ought to first answer.

Of What Significance Was the Soldier’s Shield?

  1. The shield was the largest piece of armour
    1. The typical Roman shield was 1.2m high and .8m wide
    2. Shields often consisted of a wooden frame covered by leather or thin metal.
      1. Shields were held in the left hand.
      2. They were usually strapped to the arm.
  2. Shields were designed to deflect darts, and arrows
    1. Being large, the soldier could hide behind the shield.
    2. At times enemies used fiery darts.
      1. These were arrows dipped in flammable material and ignited then shot at the enemy.
      2. Sometimes shields were wet or covered with alum to quench fiery darts – Gill
      3. It is suggested that some soldiers used raw (still wet) hides on their shields to quench fiery darts – Trapp

How Does God Apply the Shield to Spiritual Warfare?

  1. Faith is to be our shield
    1. Again this is God’s armour not ours. While we are to have faith, faith is depending upon the Faithful One who alone is able to protect us.
    2. Faith is acting upon trusted information (Eph 6:10)
      1. Faith is not a leap in the dark. It is not acting irrationally based on hope. Faith is not acting upon a gut feeling. It is not sincerely wishing. It is not fate. Faith is acting upon trusted information.
      2. The trusted information on which we base our faith is the Person, power, and promises of the Lord as revealed in his Word. The Bible tells us that God is sovereign over all. It also reveals that God’s might is limitless and superior to all (Eph 6:10). The Bible reveals many promises that God gives to Christians.
      3. The action we must take is to hide behind him, to trust him to quench the fiery darts, to claim his promises for victory.
    3. “Above all” does not mean most important but “over all”.
      1. Faith is the basis for all of our spiritual armour. We need faith to trust God’s Truth. We need faith to trust God’s Righteousness. Without faith, we cannot rest in God’s Peace.
      2. Like a shield, faith in God and His Word will deflect the darts of the devil.
  2. Faith will quench all the fiery darts of the wicked
    1. “The wicked” refers to “the evil one” – Satan (v.12)
      1. Review again Ephesians 6:12.
      2. Our foe is not a mere human. We must not forget this!
    2. Faith will quench (extinguish) Satan’s fiery darts. Faith in the Person, power, and promises of God will extinguish these darts.
      1. These fiery darts may be in the form of doubt. Satan wants us to doubt God’s love, care, goodness, and promises.
      2. Fiery darts may bring discouragement. The devil wants us to think God’s will is too hard, that witnessing is a waste of time, and that we are the only ones serving God.
      3. Another form of fiery dart is wrong desires. Lustful desires appeal strongly to our flesh. Selfish desires rebel against God’s will.
    3. Faith will quench ALL the fiery darts (none is so powerful that faith in God cannot quench it).

How Can We Take Up the Shield of Faith?

  1. Faith in God is gained by knowing the Word of God
    1. Faith comes by hearing about God’s person.
      1. God did not say that faith comes by dreams, revelations, or visions.
      2. Faith comes by hearing the Bible. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Ro 10:17) The foundation for faith is not feeling but the recorded character and promises of God himself. God causes faith to grow in our hearts as we hear his Word.
    2. Faith increases by getting to know God’s character.
      1. Spend quality time with the Lord daily.Psalm 73:28 “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.”
      2. Learn to fear the Lord’s power and dependability.Psalm 115:11 “Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.”
  2. We take up the shield of faith by trusting God’s protection
    1. We must have complete confidence in God’s promises and power.Romans 8:37 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

      1 John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

      1 John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

    2. We must put that confidence into action.
      1. Have a flourishing relationship with the Lord.Psalm 91:1-4 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”
      2. Trust God fully when Satan’s fiery darts are flying.Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
      3. Submit to the Lord and seek his aid.James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
      4. Claim his promises.1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Conclusion

Have you been taking up the shield of faith? Do not wait until Satan attacks. Take it up now. Get into the Bible and let God build your faith in Him. Know His power. Mark His promises. When Satan shoots his fiery darts of doubt, discouragement, and wrong desires at you, have faith in God.

If Satan has been shooting fiery darts at you this week and you have not held up the shield of faith in God, confess your sin and begin placing your trust in Him for protection. Memorise 1John 4:4.

Song: Victory in Jesus – 496
—
Shield of Faith
10 August 2014 – Ephesians 6:16 – Eph 14 – Scott Childs