The Shield of Faith
In spiritual warfare, every believer has a set of metaphorical armour to assist them in the day-to-day battles of spiritual warfare. In Ephesians 6 the Apostle Paul explains this armour as the “Whole Armour of God”. One indispensable piece of the whole armour is the Shield of Faith. This metaphorical shield protects against the fiery arrows of doubt, fear, and temptation.
Each week I put together a sermon to be delivered to the church. On Mondays, I rework the sermon into a podcast intended for a more general audience—this blog post supplements the podcast. The podcast on the Shield of Faith is available in Episode #93 of the PC Speaking Podcast, available at pcspeaking.com.
Reading the blog and listening to the podcast will help to give you a more comprehensive understanding of the shield of Faith.
Understanding the Shield of Faith:
Every saved believer has at some point placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their saviour, believing the Gospel. The Bible tells us that we are saved by grace through faith. Without that, we don’t have the shield. We also place ongoing faith in God, trusting His promises and provision daily. The Shield of Faith, mentioned in Ephesians Chapter 6, verse 16, is more than a symbolic representation of faith.
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THE SHIELD OF FAITH IS THE FIRST TO ABSORB THE ENEMY’S ATTACKS
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It represents our salvation and a deep-seated and an ongoing trust in God’s promises and provision. Just as a physical shield guards a warrior from harm, the Shield of Faith is a barrier against the enemy's attacks. The Shield of Faith is the first to absorb the enemy's attacks.
The Power of Faith:
When we are attacked by the fiery arrows of the evil one, we can stand firmly behind the Shield of Faith. We hold up the Shield of Faith as our ongoing and constant reminder that God is faithful, keeps His promises, and He will provide. It is our ongoing defence against temptation, doubt and fear.
Reinforcing The Shield of Faith:
Faith has been described as something similar to a muscle in that as it is exercised, it continually grows stronger. Our shield is strengthened as we read and meditate on God's Word, and His promises and cultivate our relationship with Him through prayer and worship. As we deepen our understanding of who God is, our faith inevitably grows more robust, making our shield more effective in times of temptation and doubt.
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FAITH HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS SOMETHING SIMILAR TO A MUSCLE; AS IT IS EXERCISED IT CONTINUALLY GROWS STRONGER.
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Another powerful reinforcement for our faith is remembering the times God has been faithful in our past. Our memory is helpful, but keeping a written record of answered prayers, times of provision, and times when God has delivered us from various trials and temptations, can be even more effective.
As we recall God’s faithfulness in the past and experience it in the present, we develop a more resilient faith that can withstand future challenges. Past victories are evidence of God’s faithfulness that bolsters our shield, reminding us that God is present in every battle we face.
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AS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHO GOD IS DEEPENS, OUR FAITH GROWS AND STRENGTHENS.
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When standing against a volley of arrows, soldiers would often interlock their shields, forming a phalanx that would provide greater protection for every soldier. In a battle, a lone soldier is likely to be quickly defeated. Surrounding ourselves with a community of believers who encourage and uplift us is crucial.
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SURROUNDING OURSELVES WITH A COMMUNITY OF ENCOURAGING BELIEVERS IS CRUCIAL.
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Remembering that we also must be an encouraging and uplifting part of our community to benefit other believers is crucial. We can strengthen and encourage each other, reminding one another of God's faithfulness.
We can also strengthen our shield through discipline. Discipling ourselves to do things that make us uncomfortable, like stepping out of our comfort zones and trusting God, builds our confidence in Him. Whether volunteering, forgiving someone who has hurt us, or sharing our faith, it reinforces our shield and expands our trust in God.
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DISCIPLING OURSELVES TO DO THINGS THAT MAKE US UNCOMFORTABLE EXPANDS OUR TRUST IN GOD.
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Conclusion:
The Shield of Faith is not a mere metaphorical concept; it is a powerful spiritual shield that protects us in the trials of doubt and temptation.
When we understand the importance of the Shield of Faith and actively pursue things that strengthen it, we are equipped to face spiritual battles with confidence, knowing when to flee temptation and stand firm when attacked.
As you bolster your shield of faith, continually remember past victories, seek community, and trust God in doing things that make you uncomfortable. Follow Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 6:16, “and above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the fiery arrows of the evil one.”
