Tuesday, August
4, 2020
In all circumstances take up the shield
of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16
Faith
Faith is sometimes a hard concept for us to grasp. The definition of faith is: confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another's ability; belief that is not based on proof. When we talk about having faith in God, we are talking about believing that God exists and that what the Bible says is true. After all, we have never seen God or any of the miracles played out before our eyes. We have to choose to believe that the Bible is truth and that God is God, and that what He says He will do He will do, and that who He says He is, He is. If we truly have faith, that is where we leave it. Most of all we have to believe that He loves us and that we have eternal life through Him when we trust Him as our savior – a trust based on faith. We must believe the promises He has given that He will protect us, guide us and that He is in control. And we must ever remember that faith involves knowledge, not feeling. God is there even when we don’t feel Him. He will never leave us nor forsake us, that’s a promise. Thus, the Shield of faith.
A shield guards - While a physical shield protects us physically, faith can protect our spiritual lives even in the middle of physical trials.
A shield deflects - Satan is always hurling his fiery darts of fear, doubt and worry in our direction, but the only time they can hit us is when we let our shield of faith down—when we stop believing that God is in control; that He is working everything out for our good; that whatever happens is for the ultimate best of everyone involved, however little it seems to be that way.
The Roman shield was not a standard "medieval-esque" shield most picture 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). This shield 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. The edges of these shields were so constructed that an entire line of soldiers could interlock shields and march into the enemy like a solid wall.
The Shield of Faith
As Christians we are not in the battle alone. The “faith” mentioned here is not saving faith, but rather living faith, a trust in the promises and the power of God. Faith is a defensive weapon which protects us from Satan’s fiery darts. In Paul’s day, arrows, dipped in some inflammable substance and ignited, were shot at the enemy. Satan shoots “fiery darts” at our hearts and minds: lies, blasphemous thoughts, hateful thoughts about others, doubts, and burning desires for sin. If we do not by faith quench these darts, they will light a fire within us which could lead us to disobey God. We never know when Satan will shoot a dart at us, so we must always walk by faith and use the shield of faith.
Faith acts on the great truths of God’s Word. Faith talks. Faith exposes Satan's lies. That is the shield of faith. It always calls for action. Hold strong to your shield and your faith, and never it down. By faith you can resist the devil and his “fiery darts” and he will turn tail and run. God will be victorious.
He trains my hands for battle, So that
my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your
salvation, And Your help makes me great. 2 Samuel 22:35-36
